Pronounced: Pan-HI-po-pah-TWO-ah-ta-ree-sm
The pituitary gland is in the brain. It produces important hormones. In hypopituitarism the gland does not produce enough hormones. In panhypopituitarism the gland does not produce any hormones. The pituitary gland shuts down. It is most noticeable in children. Their growth is stunted. Dwarfism can occur.
This condition is most often caused by damage to the gland.
In children, damage to the pituitary gland may be caused by:
The following factors increase your chance of developing panhypopituitarism:
Symptoms arise from:
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Tests may include the following:
Talk with your doctor about the best plan for you. Treatment depends on the cause of the condition. The goal of treatment is to restore normal hormone production of the pituitary gland.
Treatment options include:
RESOURCES:
The Endocrine Society
http://www.endo-society.org/
The Hormone Foundation
http://www.hormone.org/
The Pituitary network
http://www.pituitary.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
About Kids Health
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/
References:
Diabetes & other endocrine and metabolic disorders: hypopituitarism. Lucile Packard Children's Hospital website. Available at: http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/diabetes/hypop.html . Accessed May 30, 2007.
Geffner M. Panhypopituitarism. The Magic Foundation website. Available at: http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:MHUYAhcYci8J:https://www.magicfoundation.org/downloads/PanPitpdf669.pdf+Panhypopituitarism&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8&gl=us . Accessed May 30, 2007.
Schneider HJ, Aimaretti G, Kreitschmann-Andermahr I, et al. Hypopituitarism. Lancet. 2007;269:1461-1470.
Toogood AA, Stewart PM. Hypopituitarism: clinical features, diagnosis, and management. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 1998;37:235-261
What is a growth disorder? KidsHealth: Medical Problems: Endocrine Glands, Growth, & Diabetes. The Nemours Foundation website. Available at: http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/endocrine/growth_disorder.html . Accessed May 30, 2007.
Last reviewed January 2009 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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