Pituitary dwarfism (hyposomatotropic dwarfism, pituitary infantilism) mainly affects children, although it is also diagnosed in adults. The underlying cause of this disease is reduced or no secretion of growth hormone, somatropin, and a deficiency of gonadotrophins. What are the causes, symptoms, and treatments for Pituitary Dwarfism?
Pituitary dwarfism(hyposomatotropic dwarfism) is an endocrine disease caused by impaired secretion of growth hormone (somatropin) and gonadotropin deficiency. Clear symptoms of pituitary dwarfism are visible in children around 1-3 years of age. A child with this condition grows no more than 3 cm per year, which in turn means that the difference between him and his peer growing properly may be from 15 to 30 cm.
Pituitary dwarfism: causes
Growth hormone deficiency or deficiency can be a congenital problem, caused by an abnormality in the pituitary gland or by another associated syndrome. Pituitary dwarfism can appear as a result of:
- infection
- brain tumor
- injury
- surgery
- head radiation therapy
Sometimes the causes of pituitary dwarfism cannot be established.
Pituitary dwarfism: symptoms
Symptoms of pituitary dwarfism deepen with age. The main features are:
- stunted growth
- sexual underdevelopment
- small hands
- chubby cheeks
- short nose
- adipose tissue in the epigastric area
The mental development of patients with pituitary dwarfism is normal - the child starts to walk and talk at the same time as his peers.
Pituitary dwarfism: diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on specialized examinations and tests, using isotope methods:
- hormone levels in blood and urine
- post-insulin hypoglycemia
- X-ray examination of the bones
- skull radiographs
- radiographic examinations of the hand
Pituitary dwarfism: treatment
People with pituitary dwarfism are most often given growth hormone injections several times a week. Sometimes it is also necessarypituitary gland surgery or radiotherapy - if the tumor is responsible for the somatropin deficiency. In addition, a balanced diet, exercise and sleep are important.