Hypopituitarism

Abstract

A child of 23 months was normal to the 9th month, when he began gaining rapidly in weight. The onset of symptoms was convulsions of the flexor type continuing up to within the month of his death. The family history showed no glandular trouble or diabetes. The eyes showed edema of the retina; the throat was negative. There was marked muscular dystrophy with profound facial cyanosis, diminutive external genitals, doubling of weight in the third year of life, low sugar tolerance and ante-mortem temperature of 107½ degrees. Treatment consisted of pituitary extract—whole gland—from 2 to 40 grains daily without any benefit. Thyroid extract seemed to irritate. X-ray plates of the skull showed a small sella turcica at the age of 23 months. An autopsy report and the histological report on various glands are included. © 1920 by The Endocrine Society.