Abstract

Growth Hormone (GH) deficiency is the most common pituitary hormone deficiency in children. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain detects structural pituitary anomalies associated with GH deficiency. This retrospective hospital-based study was conducted at King Khalid University hospital (KKUH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the period (January 1995-June 2016). The available radiological, clinical and laboratory records of all children with confirmed GH deficiency by dynamic testing who had MRI brain were reviewed. A total of 129 patients were diagnosed with GH deficiency and had MRI brain performed. Isolated GH deficiency (IGHD) was diagnosed in 118 (91.5%) and multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD) in 11 (8.5%) patients. Most children with IGHD had normal MRI findings (n = 86/118), while 14/118 had hypoplasia of the anterior pituitary and 11/118 had aplasia of the anterior pituitary. Most of the children with MPHD (6/11) showed anterior pituitary hypoplasia or (3/11) aplasia and only 2/11 children with MPHD had normal MRI. In conclusion, our study showed a spectrum of MRI changes in children with GH deficiency.

Key words: Children; Growth Hormone Deficiency; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Pituitary