220 cm-Tall 26-Year-Old Woman Dies Less Than a Year After Giving Birth... Deadly Complications Hidden Behind 'Gigantism'

A 52 cm Height Difference with Her 168 cm Boyfriend Drew Attention
Gave Birth to Her First Child in October 2025
Also Suffered from a Pituitary Tumor, Diabetes and Kidney Failure

A Chinese influencer in her 20s who drew attention online for her 52 cm height difference with her boyfriend has died after battling an illness. The news has prompted an outpouring of sorrow, coming less than a year after she gave birth to her first child. It has also drawn attention to the rare condition she had, known as pituitary gigantism.

Hong Kong outlet HK01 and Chinese outlet Xiaoxiang Chenbao reported on October 12 that Xiaoyue, a 26-year-old Chinese influencer who was 220 cm tall, died of a chronic illness in the early hours of October 11.

Xiaoyue made a name for herself online with her towering height of 220 cm. Her 52 cm height difference with her 168 cm boyfriend drew widespread attention, and the couple have connected with fans by posting videos about their daily lives and relationship on social media. Douyin.

News of Xiaoyue's death emerged after her boyfriend, Zihao, with whom she had been in a relationship for four years, posted an obituary on social media. Zihao said that, in accordance with Xiaoyue's and her family's wishes, the funeral would be kept simple and no separate memorial service would be held. Xiaoyue made a name for herself online with her towering height of 220 cm. Her 52 cm height difference with her 168 cm boyfriend drew widespread attention, and the couple connected with fans by posting videos about their daily lives and relationship on social media. Xiaoyue received many congratulations after giving birth to her first son in October 2025. Although medical staff reportedly expressed concern about pregnancy and childbirth given her health, she chose to give birth and became a mother. However, her condition worsened less than a year after the birth, ending in a heartbreaking loss.

News of Xiaoyue's serious health problems first emerged in July 2026. In a video posted at the time, Zihao said she had been diagnosed with a pituitary tumor and meningioma, and was also suffering from several other conditions, including high blood sugar and kidney failure. While battling her illnesses, Xiaoyue returned to her hometown for treatment and recuperation. She planned to undergo surgery to remove the pituitary tumor once her blood sugar had stabilized during her recovery, but died before she could have the operation. A video posted in August 2026 became the last glimpse of her that fans would see.

“Gigantism” caused by excess growth hormone... More than simply being tall

Pituitary gigantism, the condition Xiaoyue had, is a rare endocrine disorder in which bones and body tissues grow excessively because the body produces abnormally high levels of growth hormone. The pituitary gland is a small endocrine gland located at the base of the brain. It secretes several hormones that regulate the body's growth, metabolism, and reproductive functions, including growth hormone. A tumor in the gland that produces too much growth hormone can disrupt the body's normal growth regulation. In particular, when excess growth hormone is produced during childhood or adolescence, before the growth plates close, the bones can grow abnormally long, resulting in gigantism.

By contrast, when the same hormonal imbalance occurs in adults whose growth plates have closed, it can cause acromegaly, in which parts of the body such as the hands, feet, jaw, and nose grow larger, rather than continued increases in height. Gigantism and acromegaly both involve excess growth hormone, but the effects on the body differ depending on when the hormonal imbalance begins. However, being extremely tall does not necessarily mean someone has gigantism. Height resulting from genetic factors or normal growth must be distinguished from abnormal growth caused by a disease.

Diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease... Complications that threaten overall health

Gigantism is dangerous because its effects go beyond abnormal physical growth. According to the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), prolonged excess production of growth hormone can disrupt blood sugar and fat metabolism, potentially leading to various complications, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Growth hormone also affects the action of insulin, which regulates blood sugar. When too much growth hormone is produced, insulin resistance increases, causing blood sugar levels to rise and, in severe cases, potentially leading to diabetes. High blood sugar that remains uncontrolled for a long time can also damage blood vessels and the kidneys. The risk of reduced kidney function is especially high when diabetes and high blood pressure occur together.

Cardiovascular complications also require attention. Excessively elevated levels of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) can affect the heart muscle and various body tissues, and some patients may develop serious problems such as an enlarged heart or heart failure. A pituitary tumor can also press on nearby tissues, causing headaches, vision problems, and hormone secretion disorders. Xiaoyue reportedly had secondary diabetes and kidney failure, among other conditions, in addition to pituitary gigantism.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.