Pituitary Nanism

Pituitary dwarfism( dwarfing) - a disease characterized by delayed growth and physical development related to insufficient secretion of growth hormone( GH) by the anterior pituitary. According to statistical data, this disease is very rare - from 1 to 4 cases per 10,000 population( boys are twice as likely to suffer from girls).Growth is considered undersized if the men below 130 cm and women under 120 cm

Causes

- Head injury( generic and so forth.)

- Tumors of the pituitary gland and surrounding

nerve tissue - Birth defects( impaired formation of the pituitary gland in utero)

-Moved chemotherapy and radiation therapy

- Postponed disease( sarcoidosis, syphilis, tuberculosis )

In about 60% of cases, the cause of pituitary dwarfism can not be established

Symptoms

in largeinstve cases, growth retardation is detected in the first months of life, but the more obvious signs begin to appear at the age of two - three years( very rare in puberty).The growth rate is markedly reduced and does not exceed three to four centimeters per year( at a rate of seven to eight centimeters), while body proportions remain normal. An age lag of differentiation and ossification of the skeleton is noted, developmental and dental changes are observed. The skin becomes pale, wrinkled, dry;Subcutaneous fatty tissue develops very poorly. Sometimes, there may be excessive fat deposition on the hips, abdomen and chest. The muscular system in patients with pituitary nazmom is noticeably weaker than in ordinary people. A decrease in sizes of internal organs, often detected hypotension may occur hypotheses and bradycardia, are possible secondary phenomenon and secondary hypocorticoidism

hypothyroidism .Mental development in this disease, as a rule, within the norm( in patients there is a good memory).

There is markedly decreased production of sex hormones( hypogonadism), as a result of which apparent sexual underdevelopment can be traced. In men: the penis and sex glands are significantly reduced, the scrotum is underdeveloped, there are no secondary sexual characteristics. In women: there are no menstruation, the mammary glands are underdeveloped, the secondary sexual characteristics

are weak. Treatment

Treatment of hypophyseal nanism is carried out with the help of replacement therapy and consists in the systematic administration of purified growth hormone preparations into the body. To facilitate the administration and dosage of growth hormone, injectable syringes - pens( like insulin) have been developed. Thanks to treatment, the growth rate in most cases increases to 8 - 12 cm per year. In the treatment scheme, during puberty necessarily include sex hormones. Approximately in every fifth case, a deficiency of growth hormone is accompanied by a deficiency of pituitary hormones. In these cases, thyroid hormones must be included in the treatment regimen. Patients must adhere to a diet with an increased content of vitamins and proteins.

The prognosis for life in the genetic form of hypophyseal nanism is quite favorable. If there is an organic lesion of the brain, the prognosis is determined by the underlying disease.

More articles on the topic:

1. Hypogonadism 2. Hyperthyroidism