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Endocrine disorders in septo-optic dysplasia (De Morsier syndrome) — evaluation and follow up of 18 patients

  • Endocrinology
  • Published:
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Abstract

Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) is characterized by hypoplasia of the optic nerve, various types of forebrain defects and hormonal deficiencies. We have studied the clinical and endocrinological characteristics of 18 such patients retrospectively to: (1) better define the endocrine abnormalities in children with SOD; and (2) to find approaches for the interdisciplinary long-term care of children with SOD. The children were seen at the Children's Hospital of the University of Munich from 1976 to 1992 (8 boys, 10 girls; age at initial presentation: 1 day–13 years of age, mean 1.9 years). Unilateral hypoplasia of the optic nerve was found in 7 cases, bilateral hypoplasia in 11. Sonographic, CCT or MRI yielded the following results: 4 of the patients had a cavum septum pellucidum, 3 patients had hypoplasia of the cerebellum, 1 aplasia of the corpus callosum and 1 aplasia of the fornix. An empty sella with or without an ectopic pituitary was seen in 4 cases. Height standard deviation score (SDS) at time of diagnosis was −4.0 to +0.4, mean −2.92. Endocrine deficiencies were present in all 11 patients who had undergone endocrinological investigations. Seven patients suffered from isolated growth hormone (GH) deficiency or multiple hypopituitarism. One had diabetes insipidus centralis, 2 had hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, 1 had hypothyroidism and 2 adrenal insufficiency. Hypothalamic testing was performed only in a subset of patients: in 5 of 11 children tested a thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH test), in two out of nine a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) test, and in three out of six GH releasing hormone (GHRH) test yielded abnormal results. High prolactin levels were measured in two out of five patients.

Conclusion

SOD is characterized by optic nerve hypoplasia and a variety of endocrine deficiencies. In addition, forebrain malformations are present in most SOD patients. Hormonal disorders are present in some SOD patients which may be of hypothalamic origin and need to be investigated systematically.

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Abbreviations

CRH :

corticotropin releasing hormone

FSH :

follicle stimulating hormone

GH :

growth hormone

GHRH :

growth hormone releasing hormone

GnRH :

gonadotropin releasing hormone

IGF-I :

insulin-like growth factor-I

LH :

luteinizing hormone

SOD :

septo-optic dysplasia

TRH :

thyrotropin releasing hormone

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Children's Hospital, Justus Liebig University, Feulgenstrasse 12, D-35 385, Giessen, Germany

    W. Kiess

  2. Children's Hospital, University of Munich, Lindwurmstrasse 4, D-80337, Munich, Germany

    S. Willnow, W. Kiess, O. Butenandt, A. Enders, B. Strasser-Vogel, J. Egger & H. P. Schwarz

  3. Children's Hospital, University of Erlangen, Loschgestrasse 15, D-91054, Erlangen, Germany

    H. G. Dörr

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Willnow, S., Kiess, W., Butenandt, O. et al. Endocrine disorders in septo-optic dysplasia (De Morsier syndrome) — evaluation and follow up of 18 patients. Eur J Pediatr 155, 179–184 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01953934

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01953934

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