Pituitary Dwarfism

By 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 childs 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

Treatment
s

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 theres 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

Preventio
n
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/
1G23447200445.html