Cushing's disease in an 11-month-old child

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 25, 2026

A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling
06:08

A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling

Published on: September 15, 2017

V V Khadilkar1, A V Khadilkar, J R Navrange

  • 1Growth and Pediatric Endocrine Research, Unit Hirabai Cowasji Jehangir Medical Research Institute, Jehangir Hospital, 32, Sasson Road; Pune-411 001. akhadilkar@vsnl.net

Indian Pediatrics
|April 6, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Cushing's disease is rare in infants, with most pediatric cases caused by adrenal tumors. This report details an 11-month-old infant with Cushing's disease due to a pituitary macroadenoma.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Cushing's syndrome is rare in pediatric populations.
  • In children, Cushing's syndrome is typically caused by adrenal tumors.
  • Cushing's disease, resulting from pituitary tumors, is exceptionally uncommon in infants.

Observation:

  • An 11-month-old infant presented with symptoms suggestive of Cushing's syndrome.
  • Diagnostic evaluation revealed a pituitary macroadenoma as the underlying cause.
  • This presentation is highly unusual given the typical etiology in this age group.

Findings:

  • The infant was diagnosed with Cushing's disease.
  • The cause was identified as a pituitary macroadenoma, a rare finding in infants.
  • This case highlights a deviation from the common presentation of pediatric Cushing's syndrome.

Implications:

  • This case expands the understanding of rare endocrine disorders in infancy.
  • It underscores the importance of considering pituitary causes even in very young children with Cushing's syndrome.
  • Highlights the need for early diagnosis and tailored treatment strategies for pediatric pituitary tumors.

Related Concept Videos

Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction01:26

Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction

Cushing syndrome refers to the collection of clinical manifestations that arise when tissues are exposed to excessive amounts of cortisol or cortisol-like medications over an extended period. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex, regulates metabolism, immune responses, and the body’s adaptation to stress. When its concentration remains chronically elevated, these physiological pathways become dysregulated, resulting in the characteristic features of the syndrome.Exogenous...
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology01:19

Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology

Cortisol production is normally governed by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which maintains hormonal balance through tightly regulated feedback mechanisms. Disruption of this regulatory system is central to the development of Cushing syndrome, whether the excess cortisol originates from external medications or internal pathology. Persistent cortisol elevation alters metabolism, immune function, and endocrine signaling, producing the characteristic clinical features of the...
Huntington Disease l: Introduction01:21

Huntington Disease l: Introduction

Huntington disease or HD is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disorder inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.PathophysiologyIt is caused by expansion of the CAG trinucleotide repeat in the HTT gene on chromosome 4 (4p16.3), producing an abnormal huntingtin protein with an expanded polyglutamine tract. This misfolded protein disrupts cellular function, leading to neuronal death. Normal alleles have ≤26 repeats, 27–35 are intermediate (risk of expansion), 36–39 show reduced penetrance,...