Pit-1: clinical aspects

Pit-1 is a transcription factor which is expressed in the somatotrope, lactotrope, and thyrotrope cell population of the anterior pituitary gland from early fetal development throughout life. Mutations in the Pit-1 gene result in insufficient expression of this factor, accounting for a form of combined pituitary hormone deficiency for growth hormone (GH), prolactin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone. Clinical presentation at diagnosis can be variable, although all forms finally result in severe growth retardation due to GH deficiency and hypothyroidism. The clinical variability is due to other factors than the exact location of the mutation; however, the type of inheritance seems to correlate well with the genotype. Early detection of Pit-1 abnormalities might prevent the sequelae associated with some early and severe presentations of this disorder.