Hypopituitarism in children with cerebral palsy

Suma Uday*, Nick Shaw, Ruth Krone, Jeremy Kirk

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Poor growth and delayed puberty in children with cerebral palsy is frequently felt to be related to malnutrition. Although growth hormone deficiency is commonly described in these children, multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD) has not been previously reported. We present a series of four children with cerebral palsy who were born before 29 weeks gestation who were referred to the regional endocrinology service, three for delayed puberty and one for short stature, in whom investigations identified MPHD. All patients had a height well below -2 standard deviation score (2nd centile) at presentation and three who had MRI scans had an ectopic posterior pituitary gland. We therefore recommend that the possibility of MPHD should be considered in all children with cerebral palsy and poor growth or delayed puberty. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential to maximise growth and prevent associated morbidity and mortality.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)559-561
Number of pages3
JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood
Volume102
Issue number6
Early online date27 Oct 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2017

Bibliographical note

Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • Anthropometry/methods
  • Body Height
  • Cerebral Palsy/complications
  • Child
  • Female
  • Growth Disorders/etiology
  • Humans
  • Hypopituitarism/diagnosis
  • Male
  • Puberty, Delayed/etiology

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