![](https://simplyhealth.today/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/hormone-deficiency-dwarfism.jpg)
8. Growth hormone deficiency
The majority of people born with spina bifida are known to have a human growth hormone (HGH) deficiency. This sign of spina bifida results in a shorter stature that is caused by the lower body segment’s disproportionate growth. In addition, hydrocephalus which causes pressure on the brain inhibits the secretion of pituitary hormones that are tasked with pubertal development.
There is no direct quality of life issues associated with a shorter stature, however, there is an effect on body image and obesity of those with spina bifida.
Compared with other people in the same age range, children with spina bifida tend to be several inches shorter on average. Treatment with external hGH can increase the increased linear growth of the arm span and supine length.
On the downside, such treatment also encourages symptomatic spinal cord tethering to develop as well as any existing scoliosis to progress. While spina bifida may visually be different due to a lack of hGH, there are no long-term negative effects of this sign.