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[Etiology of acquired growth hormone deficiency (author's transl)]
Insights
Growth hormone deficiency in children is often caused by suprapituitary lesions, not direct pituitary problems. These lesions include tumors and cysts impacting growth hormone production.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Neuroendocrinology
Context:
- Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children can significantly impact development.
- Identifying the precise cause of GHD is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose:
- To investigate the etiology of growth hormone deficiency in pediatric patients.
- To differentiate between primary pituitary and suprapituitary causes of GHD.
Summary:
- This study analyzed 18 pediatric patients with acquired growth hormone deficiency.
- Common causes identified were tumors near the sella turcica (14 patients) and a suprasellar arachnoidal cyst (1 patient).
- Other identified causes included brain trauma (2 patients), measles (1 patient), and primary hyperlipoproteinemia Type I (1 patient).
Impact:
- Findings suggest that suprapituitary lesions are a significant cause of GHD in children.
- Highlights the importance of evaluating lesions above the pituitary gland in diagnosing GHD.
- Informs diagnostic approaches for pediatric growth disorders.
Abstract:
Authors report on 18 patients with growth hormone deficiency acquired during infancy or childhood. In 14 patients pituitary dysfunction was due to a tumor close to the sella turcica and in one to a suprasellar arachnoidal cyst. In two children growth hormone deficiency followed brain trauma. In one child measles and in one primary hyperlipoproteinemia (Type I) are supposed to be the cause of growth hormone deficiency. The results of endocrinological investigations show that growth hormone deficiency in these patients is not due to a primary pituitary but rather to a suprapituitary lesion.