Growth in children with a craniopharyngioma

Although most children with craniopharyngiomas have multiple hormone deficiencies, some will have normal growth with hyperphagia and obesity postoperatively. Many later fail to maintain this growth. If growth hormone (GH) treatment is not instituted at this time, adult height will be compromised. Normal or accelerated growth following surgery does not indicate the presence of normal GH secretion nor insure continued growth. Children with this syndrome should have careful follow-up with accurate growth measurements so that GH replacement therapy can begin when indicated.