Pituitary DwarfismBy Emily Owen

Definition

• Abnormally short height in childhood due to the lack of growth hormone

• Often referred to as growth hormone deficiency

• People with pituitary dwarfism lack growth hormone that is produced in the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain.

Etiology (causes)

• Most of the time there is no cause

• However, since your pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain, pituitary dwarfism can be caused by severe brain injury

Signs and symptoms

• Obvious sign is kids being much shorter then kids of the same age and gender

• Children with pituitary dwarfism have a slow rate of growth. Usually less than two inches per year.

• Children of this disorder still have normal intelligence and capabilities

Diagnostic procedures

• Pediatric nurses chart child’s growth rates and those with the disorder will not follow the normal growth curve

• The growth curve of children with pituitary dwarfism shows no growth or minimal growth

• X-rays to determine bone age can also help with the diagnosis

Treatments

• Growth hormone injections given at home several times a week or daily

• Most common side effects include fluid retention and muscle and joint aches

Prognosis

• Depends on whether there’s any permanent damage and the age of the child

• Earlier treated, the better chance child will grow to average adult height

• Growth improvement of the injections slowly decrease

Prevention• There is no preventing

pituitary dwarfism

• In some cases it may be caused by traumatic injury to the pituitary gland

• Children with this disorder are smaller then others however, are just as smart and can lead long healthy lives

Growth hormone deficiency. (n.d.). Google Health. Retrieved from https://health.google.com/health/ref/Growth+hormone+deficiency Pituitary Dwarfism. (n.d.). eCure Me. Retrieved from http://www.ecureme.com/emyhealth/pediatrics/ pituitary_dwarfism.asp Pituitary Dwarfism. (n.d.). encyclopedia.com. Retrieved from http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/ 1G2-3447200445.html