The nurse is counseling the family of a female school age child diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. What would the nurse include as a complication associated with the disorder if left untreated?

A. Precocious puberty is incorrect because growth hormone deficiency does not cause early sexual development. Precocious puberty is associated with early activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, not inadequate growth hormone. B. Short stature is correct because growth hormone (GH) is essential for normal linear growth and development. Children with untreated GH deficiency often have height significantly below the average for age and sex, and growth velocity is markedly reduced. Without intervention, the child may remain significantly shorter than peers in adulthood, which is a primary complication of the disorder. C. Increase in adipose tissue is partially true in some cases, as GH deficiency can lead to increased fat mass, especially in the trunk, but this is considered a secondary metabolic effect rather than the primary complication. Short stature remains the most clinically significant concern. D. Overdeveloped jaw structure is incorrect because GH deficiency typically results in delayed skeletal growth and underdeveloped facial bones, not overdevelopment. Features may include a small jaw, delayed dentition, and immature facial appearance.