Pediatr. praxi. 2011;12(5):339-342

Boy with a short stature

MUDr.Darina Aleksijević¹, doc.MUDr.Jiřina Zapletalová, CSc.¹, MUDr.Vratislav Smolka¹, MUDr.Eva Klásková¹, MUDr.Jaroslav Wiedermann, CSc.¹, MUDr.Petra Venháčová¹, MUDr.David Krahulík², MUDr.Kamila Michálková³, prof.MUDr.Vladimír Mihál, CSc.¹

¹ Dětská klinika LF UP a FN Olomouc

² Neurochirurgická klinika LF UP a FN Olomouc

³ Radiologická klinika LF UP a FN Olomouc

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in children. The incidence ranges from 185–250 per

100 000 children under the age of 15 per year, of which about 6 % die. Effects of patients who survive are very diverse: from the disability

of varying degrees to the long-term cognitive, psychological and social problems.

Hormonal disorders are frequently the result of brain injuries. They are especially found in the acute phase of the trauma leading to

fatal consequences in some patients. An important disorder to look out for is so-called post-traumatic hypopituitarism (PTHP), which

includes disorders of the puberty or growth hormones. A deficiency in these have their unmistakable symptoms. However, we can also

come across patients with unrecognized and untreated long-term hormonal deficiency characterized by apathy, fatigue, muscle weakness

and mental problems. These symptoms may worsen the neurological findings, complicating the rehabilitation treatment and can

also be the cause of psychological disorders. Early detection of hormonal deficiencies is of great importance to be able to improve the

quality of our patients´ lives.

Keywords: traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic hypopituitarism, hormonal deficiency

Published: November 1, 2011  Show citation