Hypopituitarism in Children

Symptoms vary depending on the child's age, underlying cause, and the involved hormone. Signs and symptoms may develop gradually and may not be specific.

Signs and symptoms that may be present in newborn babies include:

• Small genital organs
• Jaundice (a condition characterized by yellowing of the skin)
• Evidence of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), such as sluggishness, jitteriness, or seizures
• Irritability due to diabetes  insipidus (a condition in which excessive amounts of urine are passed)

In older infants and children, the following signs and symptoms may be present:

• Short stature and slow growth; may be associated with delayed tooth development and delayed tooth eruption. Children may fall off their growth curve both in height and /or in weight.
• Mental development delay
• Increased thirst and urination
• Fatigue
• Weight gain out of proportion to growth
• Absent or delayed puberty
• Visual and nervous system problems, such as decreased visual acuity, abnormalities in peripheral vision, or headache

Follow-up

The doctor or health care practitioner may schedule routine checkups every three months to monitor growth and development.

Frequent checkups for children on growth hormone replacement therapy may be scheduled to monitor progress and side effects.

A doctor who specializes in studying hormones (a pediatric endocrinologist) should supervise the treatment of children with hypopituitarism.