The Case of Accelerated Linear Growth Despite Growth Hormone and Insulin-like Growth Factor-I Deficiency

Abstract

Here we describe a male patient who attained normal height despite combined hypopituitarism with an abnormal growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I axis. When he was an 18-year-old, he presented with a short stature and underdeveloped external genitalia. The patient had not undergone normal pubertal development and he displayed a height below the fifth percentile. Hormonal and radiological studies revealed the findings of severe anterior pituitary hormone deficiency and an atrophic pituitary gland. There had been no recent follow-ups with the patient or medical treatment since that time. In the current presentation, the patient, now 22 years of age, had attained normal height, yet he remained prepubertal and showed manifestations of delayed bone age and combined hypopituitarism. In addition, the patient’s IGF-II levels were increased for his age. (J Korean Endocr Soc 24:206~211, 2009)