Final answer:
Adult hypersecretion of growth hormone causes acromegaly, characterized by bone enlargement, while in children, it results in gigantism, marked by excessive body growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH) in adults causes acromegaly. In children, hypersecretion causes gigantism. A balanced production of GH is essential for proper human development. Acromegaly is a condition caused by the overproduction of GH in adults, leading to the enlargement of bones in the face, hands, and feet. This growth occurs in bones that retain some capacity to grow despite the person having reached adult stature.
Contrastingly, when there is an excess of GH in children, the result is gigantism, characterized by excessive growth of the entire body, notably long limbs. Growths such as tumors, often on the pituitary gland, are known causes of hypersecretion, and without treatment, these conditions can lead to significant physical alterations and health complications. This results in the individual having larger facial features, enlarged hands, and feet.