Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026
07:43
Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
Hyperprolactinemia in children: clinical features and long-term results
Gonul Catli1, Ayhan Abaci, Ayca Altincik
1Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, 35340 Balcova, Izmir, Turkey.
Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism : JPEM
|January 19, 2013
Summary
Childhood hyperprolactinemia, often caused by pituitary adenomas, presents with menstrual issues, headaches, and galactorrhea. Medical treatment is typically first-line, with surgery reserved for specific cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Neuroendocrinology
- Oncology
Background:
- Hyperprolactinemia is a rare endocrine disorder in children.
- It can be caused by pituitary adenomas (microadenoma or macroadenoma) or be idiopathic.
- Understanding its etiology and clinical presentation is crucial for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively review the etiologic reasons for hyperprolactinemia in pediatric patients.
- To analyze the clinical features and treatment outcomes of childhood hyperprolactinemia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 11 female patients diagnosed with hyperprolactinemia.
- Analysis of patient demographics, adenoma characteristics, presenting symptoms, and treatment modalities.
- Evaluation of treatment responses and surgical indications.
Main Results:
- The mean age at diagnosis was 14.2 years.
- Common symptoms included menstrual disorders, headache, and galactorrhea; obesity was noted in one-third.
- Bromocriptine was the primary treatment; cabergoline was used in a few cases.
- One patient with macroadenoma underwent surgery due to cavernous sinus invasion and visual field defect.
Conclusions:
- Medical management (bromocriptine, cabergoline) is the recommended first-line treatment for pediatric hyperprolactinemia, including both microadenoma and macroadenoma.
- Surgical intervention is indicated only for specific cases with neurological compromise or invasive disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
01:24Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
01:26Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management
Patients with esophageal strictures often experience a range of symptoms. Initially, they may have difficulty swallowing solid foods, which can progress to include liquids. Additional symptoms may involve chest pain or discomfort, regurgitating food and fluids, heartburn, unintentional weight loss, coughing or choking during meals, and hoarseness.
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...