Hemihyperplasia

Hemihyperplasia, also known as hemihypertrophy, is a condition where one side of the body grows more than the other due to an excess of cells being produced on one side. This can affect any part of the body including the face, arm, leg, or even the entire side of the body.

Causes

The exact cause of hemihyperplasia is unknown. It is thought to occur randomly during the formation of the cells in the embryo. Some researchers believe that it may be related to genetic changes, but this is not yet confirmed.

Symptoms

The main symptom of hemihyperplasia is an obvious difference in size between the two sides of the body. This can be present at birth or may become more noticeable as the child grows. Other symptoms can include:

• Differences in length of the arms or legs
• Differences in size of the hands or feet
• Differences in size of one side of the face
• Differences in size of other body parts

Diagnosis

Hemihyperplasia is usually diagnosed at birth or in early childhood. The diagnosis is made based on physical examination and the child's medical history. In some cases, imaging tests such as X-rays or ultrasounds may be used to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions.

Treatment

There is no cure for hemihyperplasia, but treatment can help manage the symptoms and prevent complications. Treatment options can include:

• Physical therapy to help improve strength and coordination
• Orthopedic devices to help balance differences in leg length
• Surgery to correct significant differences in size

Children with hemihyperplasia should be monitored closely for the development of certain types of tumors, as they have an increased risk of developing these.

See also

• Genetic disorders
• Growth disorders

Hemihyperplasia Resources
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