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An infant case of hyperprolactinemia induced by a functional disorder of the hypothalamus

Toshihide Kubo1, Mahoko Furujo1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, National Hospital Organization, Okayama Medical Center, Okayama, Japan.

Clinical Pediatric Endocrinology : Case Reports and Clinical Investigations : Official Journal of the Japanese Society for Pediatric Endocrinology
|May 3, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Functional hyperprolactinemia, a rare condition in children, was observed in a young boy. His gynecomastia and high prolactin levels resolved spontaneously within a year.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Neuroendocrinology

Background:

  • Functional hyperprolactinemia, typically originating in the hypothalamus, is infrequently reported in pediatric cases.
  • Gynecomastia in young boys can be associated with elevated prolactin levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe a case of functional hyperprolactinemia in a pediatric patient.
  • To investigate the clinical presentation and diagnostic findings of hypothalamic-induced hyperprolactinemia in a child.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a 1-year-and-4-month-old boy presenting with gynecomastia.
  • Hormonal assays including prolactin (PRL), gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), sex steroids, and adrenal androgens.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and chromosomal analysis.

Main Results:

  • The patient exhibited gynecomastia, elevated basal PRL levels (40.4 ng/ml), and prepubertal hormonal profiles.
  • Normal PRL response to TRH and suppression of PRL by levodopa indicated a functional disorder.
  • No organic brain lesions were detected by MRI, and chromosomal analysis was normal (46, XY).
  • Gynecomastia and hyperprolactinemia resolved spontaneously within one year without intervention.

Conclusions:

  • Functional hyperprolactinemia due to hypothalamic dysfunction can occur in young children.
  • This condition may present with gynecomastia and typically resolves spontaneously.
  • Non-invasive diagnostic methods and observation can be sufficient for managing pediatric functional hyperprolactinemia.

Keywords:
functional hyperprolactinemiahypothalamusinfant

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