Hiperprolaktinemisi Olan Pediatrik Olguların Klinik Özelliklerinin ve Hiperprolaktinemi Etiyolojilerinin Değerlendirilmesi.

Objective: This study investigates the etiological factors, clinical presentations, and laboratory findings in cases diagnosed with hyperprolactinemia, focusing on the prevalence of prolactinoma and macroprolactinemia in children and adolescents. Methods: We evaluated 38 cases of hyperprolactinemia identified from August 2019 to January 2023. The study involved assessing demographic data, symptoms, physical examination outcomes, and laboratory results, including prolactin levels and pituitary adenoma dimensions obtained from MRI scans. Results: In this cohort of 38 patients diagnosed with hyperprolactinemia, a significant majority, 94.7%, were female, with an average age of 15.9 years. The most common presenting complaints were menstrual irregularities (45%). Galactorrhea, which was observed in 64% during physical examinations. Prolactinoma was present in 44.7% of cases, with prolactin levels being statistically higher in these patients compared to those with non-prolactinoma hyperprolactinemia. Microadenomas were more common (58.8%) than macroadenomas (41.2%). No patients underwent surgical treatment, and all patients receiving medical treatment were prescribed cabergoline. Notably, two cases with prolactinomas also had central hypothyroidism. Conclusion: Prolactinoma is the leading cause of severe hyperprolactinemia in children, a demographic where prolactinomas are rare, complicating diagnosis and management. Macroprolactinemia, often asymptomatic, emerged as a significant contributor to elevated prolactin levels in our cohort. This study underscores the importance of considering macroprolactinemia in the differential diagnosis of hyperprolactinemia when no other etiology is apparent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]