Pubertal arrest secondary to untreated giant prolactinoma

Abstract

The most common pituitary tumors are prolactinomas which are rarely found in
children and adolescents. Similarly, hyperprolactinemia is a rare endocrinopathy in
childhood. The hypersecretion and production of prolactin as well as the compression
produced by prolactinoma compromises the functioning of the hypothalamicpituitary-
ovarian axis, probably due to impaired gonadotropin pulsatility, together
with the presence of adrenal and thyroid insufficiency. This functional syndrome
may cause delayed puberty, primary or secondary amenorrhea, galactorrhea, and
pubertal arrest. The onset of telarche and puberty is age appropriate, but arrest of
pubertal development before menarche is a rare disorder known as pubertal arrest.
Dopaminergic agonists are the first choice of treatment. A case of pubertal arrest
secondary to untreated giant prolactinoma is presented.