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A Review of 16 Cases

Dov Margalith, MD; Wah Jun Tze, MD, FRCP(C); James E. Jan, MD, FRCP(C)

Am J Dis Child. 1985;139(4):361-366.

Abstract
• Sixteen children had congenital optic nerve hypoplasia and hypothalamic-pituitary dysplasia. Investigation disclosed an extremely variable spectrum of neuroendocrinological findings that ranged from deficiency to hypersecretion of trophic hormone. Neuroendocrine abnormalities consisted mainly of trophic hormone deficiencies, the most common being growth hormone deficiency, but trophic hormone hypersecretion, including growth hormone, corticotropin, and prolactin was found as well. The extent of anterior pituitary hormone deficiency was variable. Antidiuretic hormone deficiency was presented in two patients. Our findings support the concept of hypothalamic defect as the major cause for the pituitary dysfunction in this syndrome. Physicians should be aware of this syndrome as a common cause for growth failure and multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies in visually impaired children, which would facilitate the diagnosis and early institution of therapy for this treatable but potentially serious entity.

(AJDC 1985;139:361-366)

Author Affiliations
From the Divisions of Paediatric Neurology (Drs Margalith and Jan) and Paediatric Endocrinology (Dr Tze), the Department of Paediatrics, University of British Columbia, and the Visually Impaired Program, British Columbia's Children's Hospital (Dr Jan), Vancouver.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to Division of Paediatric Endocrinology, Department of Paediatrics, British Columbia's Children's Hospital, 4480 Oak St, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6H 3V4 (Dr Tze).

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