15. Puberty and Growth Abnormalities: The Unforeseen Consequences of Juvenile Huntington’s Disease
As children with Juvenile Huntington’s Disease approach their teenage years, they may experience unusual puberty and growth patterns, adding to the list of challenges they face. Puberty is a complex process, governed by an intricate interplay of hormones. But in children with JHD, this process can be disrupted, leading to early or delayed onset of puberty, and anomalies in growth patterns.
The exact reason for these puberty and growth abnormalities in JHD is still not fully understood. However, some researchers believe it could be related to the way the mutant huntingtin protein affects the hypothalamus – a part of the brain that plays a critical role in hormone regulation.
Abnormalities in growth and puberty can have both physical and emotional consequences for children with JHD. Physically, they may be taller or shorter than their peers or have unusual weight gain or loss. Emotionally, these changes can lead to feelings of being ‘different’, potentially exacerbating the psychological and emotional challenges they’re already dealing with due to JHD. (15)
