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Features include always present findings: Seizure, Hemianopia, Overgrowth, and Increased circulating insulin-like growth factor 1 concentration and others; and very common findings: Pituitary adenoma and Increased circulating prolactin concentration. 23 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Growth and development | 3 | Tall stature, Increased circulating insulin-like growth factor 1 concentration, Elevated circulating growth hormone concentration |
X-linked acrogigantism should be suspected in an individual with early-onset pituitary gigantism, defined as acceleration of linear growth due to growth hormone (GH) excess. All individuals with X-linked acrogigantism reported to date have manifested the first signs of the disorder before age four years, with most manifesting the disease during the first two years of life.
Clinical findings
Accelerated growth velocity (+2 SD) and/or abnormally tall stature (+2 SD, adjusted for parental height). Note: When available, country-specific growth curves should be employed.
No approved treatments are currently available for X-linked acrogigantism due to Xq26 microduplication. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
To establish the extent of disease and further management needs in an individual diagnosed with X-linked acrogigantism, the following evaluations are recommended:
Consultation with a specialist in pediatric endocrinology or endocrinology
Patients with X-linked acrogigantism require the following:
Intensive monitoring of height and growth velocity, and frequent clinical assessment for other manifestations of GH excess (including enlargement of the extremities, hyperhydrosis, headache, joint pain) and/or enlargement of a pituitary adenoma (visual field deficits)
Intensive monitoring of pituitary function tests (spot GH, IGF-1, prolactin) to determine disease activity and response to treatment. Note: Frequency depends on control of GH excess, clinical status, compliance with treatment, treatment modality, and presence of comorbidities.
1 clinical trial registered, 1 recruiting. Interventions under study include other interventions. Research is primarily sponsored by academic and government institutions.
3 publications have been identified in PubMed for X-linked acrogigantism due to Xq26 microduplication. Research spans Review / Meta-Analysis (100%).
Daly AF (2026). [PMID: 41887597](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41887597/). *Ann Endocrinol (Paris)*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
De Sousa SMC (2026). [PMID: 41965096](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41965096/). *J Clin Endocrinol Metab*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Daly AF (2026). [PMID: 42103581](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42103581/). *Ann Endocrinol (Paris)*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Data assembled from 7 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 19, 2026, 6:57 PM UTC
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
European rare disease database
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
Common questions about X-linked acrogigantism due to Xq26 microduplication
Hormones | 3 | Increased circulating insulin-like growth factor 1 concentration, Pituitary adenoma, Elevated circulating growth hormone concentration |
Lab test results | 3 | Increased circulating insulin-like growth factor 1 concentration, Increased circulating prolactin concentration, Elevated circulating growth hormone concentration |
Bones and joints | 3 | Arthralgia, Excessive outward curvature of the upper spine (kyphosis), Accelerated skeletal maturation |
Brain and nerves | 2 | Seizure, Headache |
Head and neck | 1 | Coarse facial features |
Skin | 1 | Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) |
Digestive system | 1 | Excessive hunger (polyphagia) |
Lungs and breathing | 1 | Sleep apnea |
Heart and blood vessels | 1 | Ventricular hypertrophy |
X-linked acrogigantism is characterized by marked growth acceleration due to growth hormone (GH) excess starting at an early age (see , , and ). Most reported affected individuals (24/33) are females; clinical data are available for 30 individuals. In most individuals with X-linked acrogigantism GH excess results from a mixed GH- and prolactin-secreting pituitary macroadenoma (i.e., 10 mm). Less commonly, GH excess is caused by hyperplasia of the GH- and prolactin-secreting pituitary cells ; six of 30 individuals with available data had pituitary hyperplasia in the absence of a pituitary adenoma. The presenting feature in all affected individuals is growth acceleration, which can manifest as early as age two months [, , , , , , , , ].
Source: GeneReviews — "X-Linked Acrogigantism"
Other frequently observed clinical features of GH excess: acral enlargement, coarse facial features, and increased appetite (~1/3 of cases)
Laboratory findings
Source: GeneReviews — "X-Linked Acrogigantism"
Pituitary gigantism can be nonsyndromic or can be associated with other manifestations as part of a syndrome . Approximately 50% of all individuals with pituitary gigantism have a known predisposing genetic variant . The very young age at disease onset, female preponderance, and the absence of extrapituitary manifestations can help with the differential diagnosis of X-linked acrogigantism. Table 2. Disorders to Consider in the Differential Diagnosis of Pituitary Gigantism
Disease Name | Gene | Prevalence ofPituitaryDisease by Sex | Age of Onsetof GH Excess | ClinicallyEvident GHExcess (%of AffectedPersons) | Pituitary Findings | Extrapituitary Manifestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
McCune-Albright syndrome1 | GNAS2 | Equal | Variable (~30% diagnosed age 16 yrs) | ~20%3 | GH-secreting pituitary adenoma or mixed GH- prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma /or hyperplasia of GH- prolactin-secreting pituitary cells | Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, caf au lait spots, precocious puberty, other manifestations Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 11 |
MEN1 | Female4 | Typically adult-onset; gigantism is rare | 2%-5% | GH-secreting pituitary adenoma, mixed GH- prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma; pituitary hyperplasia secondary to a GHRH-secreting neuroendocrine tumor; other pituitary adenoma subtypes can occur: prolactinoma, NFPA, corticotropinoma. | Primary hyperparathyroidism, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, other manifestations | — |
Carney complex1 | PRKAR1A 5 | Equal | Typically adult-onset, but gigantism can occur | ~10%6 | GH-secreting pituitary adenoma or mixed GH- prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma /or hyperplasia of GH- prolactin-secreting pituitary cells; corticotropinomas described in 2 persons7 | Skin hyperpigmentation, myxomas, PPNAD, other manifestations AIP-related familial isolated pituitary adenoma8 |
AIP | Male | Typically 2nd decade of life | ~80% | GH- or mixed GH- prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma; pituitary hyperplasia rare; characteristically, can present w/pituitary apoplexy9; other pituitary adenoma subtypes can occur: prolactinoma, NFPA, corticotropinoma, thyrotropinoma | No X-linked acrogigantism8 | — |
GPR101 | Female | Early onset (in all cases age 4 yrs) | 100% | Mixed GH- prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma /or hyperplasia of GH- prolactin-secreting pituitary cells; pituitary apoplexy not described | No GH = growth hormone; GHRH = growth hormone-releasing hormone; NFPA = nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma; PPNAD = primary pigmented nodular adrenal disease 1. Syndromic 2. McCune-Albright syndrome is caused by early embryonic postzygotic somatic activating mutation of GNAS 3. | — |
Source: GeneReviews — "X-Linked Acrogigantism"
Clinical assessment with special attention to signs and symptoms of growth hormone (GH) excess and hyperprolactinemia.
Endocrine tests including spot GH (with dilution if above detection limit of the assay), IGF-1, and prolactin to assess for disease activity. LH, FSH, estradiol/testosterone, TSH, fT4, and 9 a.m. cortisol (and if needed dynamic testing) should also be checked in order to detect associated hypopituitarism.
Visual field evaluation to assess for mass effects due to an expanding pituitary tumor. Young children may need informal testing (e.g., observing eye movements toward small objects in different areas of the visual field).
Pituitary MRI for evidence of pituitary hyperplasia or a pituitary tumor. In case of a pituitary tumor, extrasellar extension should be evaluated.
Consultation with a clinical geneticist and/or genetic counselor
Treatment of Manifestations
Pituitary gigantism secondary to X-linked acrogigantism can be treated medically, surgically, and/or with radiotherapy. Pituitary adenoma. When MRI findings suggest the presence of a pituitary adenoma in patients with molecularly confirmed X-linked acrogigantism, either transsphenoidal surgery or GH receptor antagonist ...
Source: GeneReviews — "X-Linked Acrogigantism"
Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for access to information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Note: There may not be clinical trials for this disorder.
Source: GeneReviews — "X-Linked Acrogigantism"
1 trial found
Periodic evaluation of basal hormone tests (9 a.m. cortisol, TSH, fT4, LH, FSH, estradiol/testosterone), and, if necessary, dynamic testing (e.g., growth hormone stimulation tests, ACTH stimulation test) to evaluate for hypopituitarism. Note: Patients treated with radical neurosurgery and/or radiotherapy may develop GH deficiency and should receive GH replacement treatment as appropriate.
Repeat pituitary MRI. Note: Frequency depends on previous extent of the tumor, treatment modality, clinical status, and disease activity.
The established guidelines regarding surveillance for associated comorbidities and risk of secondary neoplasms for patients with acromegaly should be applied to patients with X-linked acrogigantism. These include the following:
Source: GeneReviews — "X-Linked Acrogigantism"
Phenotype severity distribution: 7 always present features, 2 very common features, 3 common features.