Traumatic brain injury-mediated hypopituitarism. Report of four cases.

Hypopituitarism has been increasingly recognised following traumatic brain injury. We report four children involved in motor vehicle accidents who had traumatic brain injury-mediated hypopituitarism. Various hormone defects are described. Growth hormone was the most commonly affected pituitary hormone. The time interval between the injury and diagnosis of pituitary hormone deficiency was between 2.5 weeks to 1.5 years. Hormone replacement therapy permitted normal completion of growth and development. Awareness among physicians treating children with traumatic brain injury of the risk of hypopituitarism is necessary to optimise the outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]