title: Serum prolactin concentrations in relation to hypopituitarism and obesity in children with optic nerve hypoplasia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The majority of children with optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) develop hypopituitarism and many also become obese. These associated conditions are a major cause of morbidity and are possibly due to hypothalamic dysfunction. Because mild hyperprolactinemia often occurs in subjects with disorders of the hypothalamus, we examined whether hyperprolactinemia was present in children with ONH during the first 3 years of life and whether it was a marker for hypopituitarism and/or obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were retrospectively analyzed from a registry study of children with ONH. The initial serum prolactin was obtained prior to age 36 months (n = 125) and compared with pituitary function and body mass index at age 5.
  
  
  RESULTS
  72% of subjects had an elevated initial serum prolactin and 60% had hypopituitarism. An elevated initial prolactin was associated with hypopituitarism (OR 2.58; 95% CI 1.16, 5.73), specifically with growth hormone deficiency (OR 2.77; 95% CI 1.21, 6.34). 31% of subjects had a body mass index ≥ 85th percentile, but this did not correlate with initial hyperprolactinemia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early hyperprolactinemia correlates with the presence of hypopituitarism in children with ONH, but it is not a reliable prognosticator of hypopituitarism. Additionally, hyperprolactinemia does not predict future weight excess.
authors.affiliation: Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of USC and Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA. avedin@chla.usc.edu
authors.forename: Amy M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Vedin
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Garcia-Filion
authors.forename: Cassandra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borchert
authors.forename: Mitchell E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Geffner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000150:complications; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology*; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000002:abnormalities*; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000150:complications; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D011388:Prolactin