Download PDF
J Pediatr Infect Dis 2019; 14(01): 011-012
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1615785
Review Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Growth Impairment in Acute Central Infectious Diseases

Mauro Bozzola
1   Paediatric and Adolescent Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
,
Cristina Meazza
1   Paediatric and Adolescent Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
,
Grazia Bossi
2   Department of Paediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
,
Patrizia Comoli
3   Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
,
Elena Bozzola
4   Pediatric and Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

22 December 2016

05 November 2017

Publication Date:
29 December 2017 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Acute meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges affecting the pia, arachnoid, and subarachnoid space that still causes morbidity and mortality. Among the sequelae of meningitis, endocrine complications have been reported in patients recovering from acute central infectious diseases. Although the results of the studies are conflicting, the most common pituitary hormone deficiency during the acute phase or at 1-year follow-up evaluation is growth hormone deficiency, which results in growth impairment in children and a dysregulation of body composition and lipid metabolism throughout life. The mechanisms involved in growth failure secondary to meningitis are unknown. Therefore, endocrinological evaluation, including clinical, auxological, and hormonal assessments, should be performed during the acute phase of the infection and during recovery.

Keywords

growth - hypopituitarism - central infectious diseases
 

  • References

  • 1 Kim KS. Acute bacterial meningitis in infants and children. Lancet Infect Dis 2010; 10 (01) 32-42
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Bozzola E, Bozzola M, Tozzi AE. , et al. Growth failure in pediatric tubercular meningitis. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2014; 33 (04) 428-429
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Haslam RH, Winternitz WW, Howieson J. Selective hypopituitarism following tuberculous meningitis. Am J Dis Child 1969; 118 (06) 903-908
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Lam KS, Sham MM, Tam SC, Ng MM, Ma HT. Hypopituitarism after tuberculous meningitis in childhood. Ann Intern Med 1993; 118 (09) 701-706
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Karadag-Oncel E, Cakir M, Kara A. , et al. Evaluation of hypothalamic-pituitary function in children following acute bacterial meningitis. Pituitary 2015; 18 (01) 1-7
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Giavoli C, Tagliabue C, Profka E. , et al. Evaluation of pituitary function after infectious meningitis in childhood. BMC Endocr Disord 2014; 14: 80
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Schaefer S, Boegershausen N, Meyer S, Ivan D, Schepelmann K, Kann PH. Hypothalamic-pituitary insufficiency following infectious diseases of the central nervous system. Eur J Endocrinol 2008; 158 (01) 3-9
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Tsiakalos A, Xynos ID, Sipsas NV, Kaltsas G. Pituitary insufficiency after infectious meningitis: a prospective study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010; 95 (07) 3277-3281
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Pekic S, Popovic V. Alternative causes of hypopituitarism: traumatic brain injury, cranial irradiation, and infections. Handb Clin Neurol 2014; 124: 271-290
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Tanriverdi F, De Bellis A, Teksahin H. , et al. Prospective investigation of pituitary functions in patients with acute infectious meningitis: is acute meningitis induced pituitary dysfunction associated with autoimmunity?. Pituitary 2012; 15 (04) 579-588
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Tanriverdi F, Alp E, Demiraslan H. , et al. Investigation of pituitary functions in patients with acute meningitis: a pilot study. J Endocrinol Invest 2008; 31 (06) 489-491
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Strasburger CJ, Bidlingmaier M. How robust are laboratory measures of growth hormone status?. Horm Res 2005; 64 (Suppl. 02) 1-5
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Richmond EJ, Rogol AD. Growth hormone deficiency in children. Pituitary 2008; 11 (02) 115-120
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Levy-Shraga Y, Gazit I, Modan-Moses D, Pinhas-Hamiel O. Pituitary function in children following infectious diseases of the central nervous system. Pituitary 2014; 17 (02) 118-124
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Cianfarani S, Tondinelli T, Spadoni GL, Scirè G, Boemi S, Boscherini B. Height velocity and IGF-I assessment in the diagnosis of childhood onset GH insufficiency: do we still need a second GH stimulation test?. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2002; 57 (02) 161-167
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Gerber J, Seitz RC, Bunkowski S, Brück W, Nau R. Evidence for frequent focal and diffuse acute axonal injury in human bacterial meningitis. Clin Neuropathol 2009; 28 (01) 33-39
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar