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 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