Post-traumatic hypopituitarism: report of a child case.

CASE: We report a case of post-traumatic hypopituitarism in a 9-year-old boy who was injured in a car accident.

OUTCOME: Post-traumatic hypopituitarism might be caused by moderate to severe head trauma, and while this possibility has recently drawn attention in adults, few reports are available regarding children. Our patient experienced head and facial injury, resulting in post-traumatic hypopituitarism. Six hours after injury he suffered from diabetes insipidus and hormone replacement therapy was started. On day 12 he underwent facial fracture reduction under general anesthesia. On day 24 he was discharged from the hospital. One year after the injury, secretory function and water dehydration tests suggested the possibility of post-traumatic hypopituitarism.

CONCLUSION

We experienced a child case of post-traumatic hypopituitarism. Emergency physicians should pay attention to the possibility of post-traumatic hypopituitarism in cases of traumatic brain injury.