Abstract
Reports of pancytopenia in patients with Sheehan’s syndrome are rare, because the disorder is not commonly seen in western countries. A case series of pancytopenia in three patients of Sheehan’s syndrome is presented. Three women aged 22, 30, and 34 years developed Sheehan’s syndrome preceded by post partum hemorrhage. During investigations, they were found to have pancytopenia with hypocellular marrow. Treatment with thyroxine and glucocorticoids resulted in complete recovery after attaining euthyroid and eucortisolemic state. Review of literature revealed the rarity of the disorder, with only four cases reported so far. Multiple anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies in Sheehan’s syndrome are responsible for pancytopenia; replacement of thyroid and cortisol hormones results in complete recovery.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Sheehan HL (1954) The incidence of postpartum hypopituitarism. Am J Obstet Gynecol 68:202–223
Zargar AH, Singh B, Laway BA, Masoodi SR, Wani AI, Bashir MI (2005) Epidemiological aspects of postpartum pituitary hypofunction (Sheehan’s syndrome). Fertil Steril 84:523–528
Kelestimur F (2003) Sheehan’s syndrome. Pituitary 6:181–188
Gokalp D, Tuzcu A, Bahceci M, Arikan S, Bahceci S, Pasa S (2009) Sheehan’s syndrome as a rare cause of anemia secondary to hypopituitarism. Ann Hematol 88:405–410
Ferrari E, Ascari E, Bossolo PA, Barosi G (1976) Sheehan’s syndrome with complete bone marrow aplasia: long-term results of substitution therapy with hormones. Br J Haematol 33:575–582
Ozdogan M, Yazicioglu G, Karadogan I, Cevikol C, Karayalcin U, Undar L (2004) Sheehan’s syndrome associated with pancytopenia due to marrow aplasia: full recovery with hormone replacement therapy. Int J Clin Pract 58:533–535
Kim DY, Kim JH, Park YJ, Jung KH, Chung HS, Shin S, Yun SS, Park S, Kim BK (2004) Case of complete recovery of pancytopenia after treatment of hypopituitarism. Ann Hematol 83:309–312
Akoz AG, Atmaca H, Ustundag Y, Ozdamar SO (2007) An unusual case of pancytopenia associated with Sheehan’s syndrome. Ann Hematol 86:307–308
Goswami R, Kochupillai N, Crock PA, Jaleel A, Gupta N (2002) Pituitary autoimmunity in patients with Sheehan’s syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 87:4137–4141
Zargar AH, Masoodi SR, Laway BA, Shah NA, Salahuddin M, Siddiqi MA (1996) Clinical spectrum of Sheehan’s syndrome. Ann Saudi Med 16:338–341
Zargar AH, Masoodi SR, Laway BA, Sofi FA, Wani AI (1998) Pregnancy in Sheehan’s syndrome: a report of three cases. J Assoc Phys India 46:476–478
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Laway, B.A., Bhat, J.R., Mir, S.A. et al. Sheehan’s syndrome with pancytopenia—complete recovery after hormone replacement (case series with review). Ann Hematol 89, 305–308 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-009-0804-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-009-0804-9