Changes of anterior pituitary function in patients with central nervous system infection

Objective To investigate changes and clinical significance of serum anterior pituitary hormone levels in patients with central nervous system infection. Methods Forty-five cases suffering from central nervous system infection at the department of Neurosurgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital were enrolled in this study. All of patients received the laboratory tests of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free tetraiodothyronine (FT4), growth hormone (GH), insulin-stimulation factor-1 (IGF-1), gonadal hormone within 24 h of admission. On the third day post-infection and one month after infection curing, ACTH, cortisol, TSH, FT3, FT4, GH, IGF-1, prolactin prolactin (PRL) , follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined. Results During the acute phase, 18 patients (40.00%) showed apparent anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies, including 4 patients (8.89%) with corticotropic insufficiency, 5 patients (11.11%) with thyroid insufficiency, 7 patients (15.56%) with somatotropic deficiency [5 cases (11.11%) with low IGF-1], and 2 patients (4.44%) with low PRL [one cases (2.22%) with low FSH and LH]. On 18 cases, 16 cases (88.89%) with anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies resolved and 2 patients (4.44%) had corticotropic insufficiency one month after infection curing. Conclusion Pituitary insufficiency may occur in a considerable number of patients after acute infection. And the majority may reversible after infection recovery. Key words: Central nervous system infection; Anterior pituitary; Hormone