Question 1

my baby nephew is 1 mo.old & has an underdeveloped pituitary gland.can you(in laymans terms)explain what it means & what may lay ahead caring for him?

Accepted Answer

Several things: An underdeveloped pituitary can be in isolation or in combination w other facial, bony + brain defects as the part of a syndrome. He wiill most likely have  issues with growth and development and his ability to learn. Most likely he will be seen by a group of specialists including a geneticist, neurologist, endocrinologist + developmental pediatrician. He may need medication.

Question 2

what side is your pituitary gland on?

Accepted Answer

The middle: The pituitary gland is located in the middle of your brain above your nose.

Question 3

what conditions affect the pituitary gland?

Accepted Answer

Most commonly: Tumors of the pituitary

rarely autoimmune inflammation, metastatic cancers, tb, sarcoidosis

severe blood loss can yield necrosis of pituitary;
head trauma can damage pituitary.

Question 4

what organs does the pituitary gland mostly influence?

Accepted Answer

All endocrine organs: Those include the ovary, thyroid, breast, and adrenal gland to name a few.

Question 5

for what reasons has my pituitary gland stopped working?

Accepted Answer

I doubt: That is has, or you would be dead and unable to ask this question. If your doctor has said that a portion of your pituitary isn't working properly, then ask him/her to explain.

Question 6

what could happen to someone whose pituitary gland was removed?

Accepted Answer

Hypophysectomy: If the pituitary is removed, then the hormones made by the pituitary need to be replaced.  The most important are hormones that control the adrenals and thyroid.  Sex hormones (estrogen-women, testosterone-men) should usually be replaced.  GH is usually only replaced in young people. If the posterior pituitary is removed and you have diabetes insipidus, DDAVP (desmopressin) is needed.

Question 7

can a swollen pituitary gland be serious?

Accepted Answer

Yes : An "swollen" pituitary gland could be serious and medically followed up by the appropriate specialist, usually an endocrinologist or neurosurgeon.

Question 8

what does it mean to have a weak pituitary gland?

Accepted Answer

Hypopituitarism: Hypopituitarism is a condition in which the pituitary gland does not produce one or more of its hormones or not enough of them. This condition may occur because of disease in the pituitary or hypothalamus. When there is low or no production of all the pituitary hormones, the condition is called panhypopituitarism. This condition may affect either children or adults.

Question 9

what can cause hyperplasia of the pituitary gland?

Accepted Answer

Pituitary: Are you reading a path report? Hyperplasia means proliferation of cells. Pituitary cells can do this for many reasons. Normal physiology, eg. lactating, pregnancy, growth spurt during teens.  If you are hypothyroid, your pituitary will increase TSH -cells.  Abnormal hormone production (prolactin, ACTH, GH) would involve hyperplasia. The path report must be correlated with the overall picture.

Question 10

what about dwarfism?  is it related to the pituitary gland?

Accepted Answer

Infrequently: Dwarfism results from any of over 200 different conditions. 70% of little people are classified as achondroplastic (short limbs, near normal torso/head size). This results from a genetic disorder of long bone growth. Proportionate dwarfism (body parts in proportion but small) may result from pituitary failure of growth hormone secretion. Short stature in healthy people is not abnormal.

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Doctor answers about:

Underdeveloped pituitary gland

A member asked:

My baby nephew is 1 mo.old & has an underdeveloped pituitary gland.can you(in laymans terms)explain what it means & what may lay ahead caring for him?

A member asked:

What side is your pituitary gland on?

A member asked:

What conditions affect the pituitary gland?

A member asked:

What organs does the pituitary gland mostly influence?

A member asked:

For what reasons has my pituitary gland stopped working?

A member asked:

What could happen to someone whose pituitary gland was removed?

A member asked:

Can a swollen pituitary gland be serious?

A member asked:

What does it mean to have a weak pituitary gland?

A member asked:

What can cause hyperplasia of the pituitary gland?

A member asked:

What about dwarfism? is it related to the pituitary gland?

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