Journal
BEST PRACTICE & RESEARCH CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
Volume 25, Issue 6, Pages 897-910Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2011.07.006
Keywords
pituitary; pregnancy; acromegaly; adenoma; hypopituitarism; Sheehan's syndrome; lymphocytic hypophysitis; diabetes insipidus
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The pituitary gland is one of the most affected organs with altered anatomy and physiology during pregnancy. Acromegaly is the second most common pituitary adenoma seen in relation to gestation after prolactinomas. Acromegaly should be treated before conception to prevent potential tumor growth in patients who desire fertility. Medical therapy can be ceased safely after confirmation of pregnancy in acromegalic patients, but octreotide may be used in selected cases with compressive signs. Other hormonal and non-functional tumors are rarer and have been presented as case reports. Sheehan's syndrome, which is one of the most common causes of hypopituitarism in developing countries, and lymphocytic hypophysitis are known to be associated with pregnancy. They usually result in hypopituitarism, sometimes with delays in diagnosis and difficulties in differential diagnosis. Pregnancy is not common among patients with hypopituitarism or pituitary adenomas due to altered gonadotroph functions. Ovulation induction is essential for fertility achievement, but the replacement of other deficient pituitary hormones, including GH, seems to play an important role in the preparation of the uterus for implantation of the embryo. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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