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PubMed This is a summary of 19 peer-reviewed journal articles Updated
Pediatric endocrinology

Understanding Your Child's Laron Syndrome Diagnosis

At a Glance

Laron syndrome is a rare inherited condition in which a child’s body cannot respond properly to growth hormone. This lowers IGF-1, a hormone needed for growth, and often causes severe short stature; care may include recombinant IGF-1 and lifelong growth and metabolic monitoring.

Receiving a diagnosis of Laron syndrome can bring a complex mix of emotions. You may feel a sense of relief that there is finally a name for why your child is growing differently, yet it is completely natural to feel overwhelmed by the rarity of this condition and what it means for your child’s future.

Laron syndrome is exceptionally rare; a recent literature review documented about 840 reported cases worldwide, though the actual number depends on how cases are defined and the condition is likely underdiagnosed [1]. Because of this rarity, most pediatricians may never see a case in their entire careers [1]. This means you and your pediatric endocrinologist will be part of a very small, specialized group of people managing this journey together.

The Biological “Lock and Key”

To understand Laron syndrome, it helps to look at a major pathway of how the body usually grows. In most children, the brain’s pituitary gland releases Growth Hormone (GH). This hormone travels through the blood like a “key” looking for a “lock” called the Growth Hormone Receptor (GHR), which is found in multiple tissues, importantly the liver [2][3]. When the key fits the lock, the liver produces a second hormone called IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1), which is a major driver that actually makes bones and tissues grow [3][4].

In classic GHR-related Laron syndrome, your child’s body often makes plenty of the “key” (Growth Hormone), but the “locks” (the receptors) are broken or missing [2]. Because the key cannot turn the lock, the body cannot produce IGF-1 [5][4].

It is important to understand that this is Growth Hormone Insensitivity, not a deficiency. This means that giving your child more growth hormone will not help, because the problem isn’t a lack of the hormone—it’s that the body doesn’t “see” or respond to the hormone that is already there [6][7].

Physical and Growth Characteristics

Children with Laron syndrome often have a very specific set of physical features. While every child is different and may not have every sign, the following are common:

  • Growth Patterns: Most babies are born at a normal weight and size, but growth slows down significantly shortly after birth [6]. This results in severe short stature (being much shorter than other children of the same age) [8].
  • Facial Features: You may notice frontal bossing (a prominent or high forehead) and a saddle nose (a bridge of the nose that appears flattened or depressed) [6][9]. The head may appear large relative to the body, and the jaw may seem small (underdeveloped mandible) [9][10].
  • Limbs and Extremities: Hands and feet are often small, and limbs may be short compared to the torso [11][12]. Some children also have limited ability to fully extend their elbows [12].
  • Body Composition: Children often have truncal obesity, which means they tend to carry more weight around their middle [13][11]. They may also have hypomuscularity (decreased muscle mass) and might tire more easily than their peers [14].
  • Physical Maturation: It is common to see delayed tooth eruption and a delay in the physical signs of puberty [13][12]. Note that these are physical maturation delays and do not automatically indicate cognitive or intellectual impairment.

A Lifelong Condition

Laron syndrome is a lifelong genetic condition. It is typically autosomal recessive, meaning a child must inherit a changed gene from both parents to have the condition [2].

While the most visible sign is short stature, the condition affects the whole body’s metabolism. For example, some adults with Laron syndrome may develop high blood sugar or insulin resistance later in life, though others remain very sensitive to insulin [15][16]. Interestingly, some observational studies in specific groups (like a cohort in Ecuador) have noted lower occurrences of certain types of cancer, but this is not an absolute protection and should not change routine cancer screenings [17][18].

Because this condition is not a simple “hormone shortage,” management focuses on supporting overall health, monitoring growth, and using specialized treatments like recombinant IGF-1 when appropriate [19]. (Details on monitoring blood sugar and day-to-day safety are covered in the monitoring section of this guide.)

Common questions in this guide

What is Laron syndrome in children?
Laron syndrome is a rare inherited condition in which a child’s body does not respond properly to growth hormone. The child may make enough growth hormone, but the signal does not work, so the body produces too little IGF-1, a hormone needed for normal bone and tissue growth. This causes growth to slow and often leads to marked short stature.
How is Laron syndrome different from growth hormone deficiency?
Growth hormone deficiency means the pituitary gland does not produce enough growth hormone. In Laron syndrome, growth hormone is often present, but cells cannot respond because the growth hormone receptor or related pathway is abnormal. Doctors may use an IGF-1 generation test, genetic findings, and the child’s growth pattern to help distinguish the conditions.
What signs might a child with Laron syndrome have?
Growth often slows soon after birth, and severe short stature is common. Other possible features include a prominent forehead, a flattened nose bridge, a relatively large head, a small jaw, small hands and feet, short limbs, extra weight around the middle, reduced muscle mass, and delayed teeth or puberty. Not every child has all of these features.
Is Laron syndrome passed down in families?
Laron syndrome is typically inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning a child receives a changed gene from both parents. A genetic counselor can explain how your child’s specific genetic change may affect relatives and future pregnancies.
Will growth hormone injections help a child with Laron syndrome?
Standard growth hormone injections usually do not help because the problem is insensitivity to the hormone rather than a shortage of it. A pediatric endocrinologist may consider recombinant IGF-1, which can provide the growth-related signal through a different part of the pathway, when appropriate.
What health monitoring does a child with Laron syndrome need?
Regular follow-up may track height, weight, body composition, growth, tooth eruption, and physical signs of puberty. Blood sugar and insulin sensitivity may also need monitoring because some people with Laron syndrome develop high blood sugar or insulin resistance later in life. A care team may include a pediatric endocrinologist, nutritionist, and genetic counselor.
Does Laron syndrome automatically cause intellectual disability?
No. Delayed tooth eruption and delayed physical signs of puberty reflect physical maturation and do not automatically indicate cognitive or intellectual impairment. Your child’s healthcare team can discuss any individual developmental concerns separately.

Get notified when new evidence is published on Laron syndrome.

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References

References (19)
  1. 1

    LARON SYNDROME. (Growth Hormone Insensitivity) Geographical distribution and relationship to the genetic defects in the growth hormone receptor gene.

    Rabin T, Shinar Y, Laron Z

    The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2026; doi:10.1210/clinem/dgag253.

    PMID: 42448599
  2. 2

    Clinical, Endocrine, and Molecular Genetic Analysis of a Large Cohort of Saudi Arabian Patients with Laron Syndrome.

    Al-Ashwal AA, Al-Sagheir A, Ramzan K, et al.

    Hormone research in paediatrics 2017; (88(2)):119-126 doi:10.1159/000475991.

    PMID: 28743110
  3. 3

    Growth hormone signaling pathways.

    Carter-Su C, Schwartz J, Argetsinger LS

    Growth hormone & IGF research : official journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society 2016; (28()):11-5.

    PMID: 26421979
  4. 4

    STAT5B deficiency: Impacts on human growth and immunity.

    Hwa V

    Growth hormone & IGF research : official journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society 2016; (28()):16-20.

    PMID: 26703237
  5. 5

    Growth hormone insensitivity: diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

    Kurtoğlu S, Hatipoglu N

    Journal of endocrinological investigation 2016; (39(1)):19-28 doi:10.1007/s40618-015-0327-2.

    PMID: 26062520
  6. 6

    Laron Syndrome: A Tale of Two Siblings.

    Das N, Tarenia SS, Saha S, et al.

    Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2023; (38(2)):124-127 doi:10.15605/jafes.038.02.22.

    PMID: 38045665
  7. 7

    Short stature related to Growth Hormone Insensitivity (GHI) in childhood.

    Mastromauro C, Giannini C, Chiarelli F

    Frontiers in endocrinology 2023; (14()):1141039 doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1141039.

    PMID: 37008935
  8. 8

    Real world data on rhIGF-1 therapy in children with severe primary IGF-I deficiency - The European experience.

    Saavedra J, Bang P

    Growth hormone & IGF research : official journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society 2026; (85()):101719 doi:10.1016/j.ghir.2026.101719.

    PMID: 42341624
  9. 9

    Same Phenotype in Children with Growth Hormone Deficiency and Resistance.

    Ioimo I, Guarracino C, Meazza C, et al.

    Case reports in pediatrics 2018; (2018()):5902835 doi:10.1155/2018/5902835.

    PMID: 29850346
  10. 10

    Compound heterozygosity for two GHR missense mutations in a patient affected by Laron Syndrome: a case report.

    Moia S, Tessaris D, Einaudi S, et al.

    Italian journal of pediatrics 2017; (43(1)):94 doi:10.1186/s13052-017-0411-7.

    PMID: 29025428
  11. 11

    Role of the GH-IGF1 axis on the hypothalamus-pituitary-testicular axis function: lessons from Laron syndrome.

    Cannarella R, Crafa A, La Vignera S, et al.

    Endocrine connections 2021; (10(9)):1006-1017.

    PMID: 34319907
  12. 12

    A Recurrent Mutation in Growth Hormone Receptor (GHR) Gene Underlying Laron-type Dwarfism in a Pakistani Family.

    Shabbir RMK, Nalbant G, Zaman Q, et al.

    The Yale journal of biology and medicine 2023; (96(3)):313-325 doi:10.59249/TCAA2040.

    PMID: 37780997
  13. 13

    LESSONS FROM 50 YEARS OF STUDY OF LARON SYNDROME.

    Laron Z

    Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists 2015; (21(12)):1395-402 doi:10.4158/EP15939.RA.

    PMID: 26401581
  14. 14

    Laron syndrome in three female siblings with the development of subclinical hypothyroidism and dyslipidemia in one case: first report of a Syrian family.

    Chreitah A, Hijazia K, Doya LJ

    Oxford medical case reports 2021; (2021(9)):omab079 doi:10.1093/omcr/omab079.

    PMID: 34527252
  15. 15

    Insights from the clinical phenotype of subjects with Laron syndrome in Ecuador.

    Guevara-Aguirre J, Bautista C, Torres C, et al.

    Reviews in endocrine & metabolic disorders 2021; (22(1)):59-70 doi:10.1007/s11154-020-09602-4.

    PMID: 33047268
  16. 16

    A 42-Year-Old Woman with Untreated Growth Hormone Insensitivity, Diabetic Retinopathy, and Gene Sequencing Identifies a Variant of Laron Syndrome.

    Castilla-Cortazar I, De Ita JR, García-Magariño M, et al.

    The American journal of case reports 2019; (20()):689-696 doi:10.12659/AJCR.913178.

    PMID: 31086127
  17. 17

    Genome-Wide Profiling of Laron Syndrome Patients Identifies Novel Cancer Protection Pathways.

    Werner H, Lapkina-Gendler L, Achlaug L, et al.

    Cells 2019; (8(6)) doi:10.3390/cells8060596.

    PMID: 31208077
  18. 18

    Fifty seven years of follow-up of the Israeli cohort of Laron Syndrome patients-From discovery to treatment.

    Laron Z, Kauli R

    Growth hormone & IGF research : official journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society 2016; (28()):53-6.

    PMID: 26307357
  19. 19

    Long-Term Treatment for Laron Syndrome with IGF-1 Injection over 22 Years in Saudi Arabia: A Cohort Study.

    Alashwal AA, Al-Fattani A, Ramzan K, et al.

    Hormone research in paediatrics 2026; (99(4)):469-479 doi:10.1159/000543047.

    PMID: 39657622

This page explains Laron syndrome and growth hormone insensitivity for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Your child’s pediatric endocrinologist and genetics team should interpret test results and recommend treatment.

Guide contents Laron syndrome
Research & Literature
02 Decoding the Lab Reports