[IzzieC (OP)]

Shangy asks:

"What is the process in childhood in which endogenous human growth hormone is released and stimulates growth? Whats the difference in its effects on the body between children and adults."

Can you help?

[evan_au]

The growth of a human from fertilised egg to mature adult requires the carefully-choreographed interaction of tens of thousands of genes and their environment.

Two of these genes produce hormones that promote growth: Human Growth Hormone (types 1 & 2).
- Not enough growth hormone and a child stays a dwarf (this condition can now be treated with artificial hormone)
- Too much, and a teenager becomes very tall and gangly, always at risk of breaking bones and pulling muscles.

So other genes turn on the growth hormones at the right time, and turn them off again later.

Other genes detect malnutrition, and turn off the growth hormone, resulting in a small mature adult, rather than a larger person who required too much energy and died.

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Growth_hormone#Gene