Endocrine System Dysfunction
From Holoprosencephaly
There are several types of endocrine system dysfunction involving hyposecretion or hypersecretion of pituitary hormones.
Hyposecretion disorders (low blood concentrations of a hormone) usually occur when some part of the endocrine system is damaged, as with a congenital anomaly such as fusion or malformation of the hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland, a condition in which tissue death has occurred, an autoimmune process or failure of the feedback mechanisms that regulate secretions.
Hypopituitarism is diminished or non-production of one or more pituitary hormones.
Panhypopituitarism is defective or absent function of the entire pituitary gland.
Typically, hypersecretion disorders (high blood concentrations of a hormone) are caused by tumors, autoimmune processes or failure of the feedback mechanisms that regulate secretions.
Click on the links below to learn more about hormonal deficiencies in children with Holoprosencephaly:
