Pituitary gigantism causing diabetic ketoacidosis

J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 1999 Nov-Dec;12(6):907-9. doi: 10.1515/jpem.1999.12.6.907.

Abstract

Although growth hormone excess (acromegaly) in association with glucose intolerance and diabetes mellitus is well documented in adult medicine, it is much less common in the paediatric age group. We report the case of a 13 year-old boy who presented with tall stature secondary to a large growth hormone secreting adenoma of the pituitary gland. Random growth hormone was 630 mIU/l and did not suppress during an oral glucose tolerance test. Following debulking of the tumour, he developed diabetic ketoacidosis requiring insulin treatment, but after further surgery glucose handling returned to normal. He has been started on testosterone to arrest further increase in height.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / complications
  • Adenoma / metabolism
  • Adenoma / surgery
  • Child
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis / drug therapy
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis / etiology*
  • Gigantism / complications*
  • Gigantism / drug therapy
  • Gigantism / etiology
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Growth Hormone / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin / administration & dosage
  • Insulin / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / complications
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / surgery
  • Testosterone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Insulin
  • Testosterone
  • Growth Hormone