Aetiology and epidemiology

Congenital GHD

This includes a group of different aetiological disorders, with an incidence of 1 in 3500 to 10,000 live births. Combined pituitary hormone deficiencies (CPHD) includes the deficiency of more than one pituitary hormone and has a prevalence of 45 cases per 1 million live births and an annual incidence of about 4 cases per 100,000 live births (1) (2).

It may be isolated or occur with combined pituitary hormone deficiencies (CPHD) or with extra-pituitary features.

Acquired GHD

Causes include: (3)

• meningitis
• tuberculosis
• irradiation
• head injury
• pituitary adenoma
• pinealoma
• optic chiasmal glioma

Note - reversible GHD may also occur after psychosocial deprivation (4).

References:

1. Regal M, Paramo C, Sierra SM, et al. Prevalence and incidence of hypopituitarism in an adult Caucasian population in northwestern Spain. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2001 Dec;55(6):735-40.
2. Alatzoglou KS, Webb EA, Le Tissier P, et al. Isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in childhood and adolescence: recent advances. Endocr Rev. 2014 Jun;35(3):376-432.
3. Karavitaki N, Brufani C, Warner JT, et al. Craniopharyngiomas in children and adults: systematic analysis of 121 cases with long-term follow-up. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2005 Apr;62(4):397-409.
4. Albanese A, Hamill G, Jones J, et al. Reversibility of physiological growth hormone secretion in children with psychosocial dwarfism. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1994 May;40(5):687-92.