Ghrelin and Growth

Abstract

Ghrelin is a pleiotropic hormone, whose effect on growth hormone secretion, through the growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) receptor, is one of its many actions. Relationships between GHS receptor gene variants and human height, both in healthy individuals and in patients with growth disorders have been identified. These include constitutional delay in growth and puberty, idiopathic short stature, and isolated growth hormone deficiency. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of ghrelin in growth.