Pediatric prolactinomas
S. Azzoug*a (Dr), D. Meskinea (Pr), F. Chentlib (Pr)
a 1-Service d'Endocrinologie EPH Bologhine 2-Laboratoire Endocrinologie et Métabolisme Université Alger 1, Alger, ALGÉRIE ; b Service d'Endocrinologie CHU Bab El Oued, Alger, ALGÉRIE
* saidazzoug@yahoo.fr
Introduction: Pituitary adenomas are rare during pediatric and/or adolescent age; prolactinomas represent about half of all pituitary adenomas.
Subjects and Methods: In this retrospective study we report the clinical, hormonal and radiological finding of prolactinomas in patients aged 20 years or less at the onset of symptoms.
Results: 46 patients (32 females, 14 males) were reported. Mean age at diagnosis was 18 years. Amenorrhea or menstrual abnormalities were the main presenting symptom in females (87.5%) whereas neurological and visual disturbances were the main presenting symptom in males (71.4%). Pubertal arrest or delay was present in 42.9% of males and 34.4% of females. Growth retardation was present in 15%. Gonadotroph deficit was present in all patients. Partial or total pituitary function failure was present in 28%. Diabetes insipidus was present in 4.34%. Intracranial hypertension was present in 6.52%. Most lesions were macroadenomas with a mean diameter of 11 mm in females and 25.3 mm in males.
Conclusion: Pediatric prolactinomas are more frequent in females. Macroadenomas prevail notably in males which explain the frequent occurrence of visual defects, pituitary function failure and in some cases diabetes insipidus or intracranial hypertension.
L’auteur n’a pas transmis de déclaration de conflit d’intérêt.