ENDOCRINOPATHIES AFTER HEAD INJURY

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Children with endocrinopathies resulting from head injury may not present with symptoms for several years after the injury. No prospective trial has been reported assessing the frequency of endocrinopathy after head injury in children. We hypothesize that systematic endocrine evaluation six months after the injury will identify those children at risk for developing later endocrinopathy. Specifically, we hypothesize that an abnormal pattern of thyrotropin (TSH) or growth hormone (GH) secretion, or an elevated serum prolactin concentration, will predict development of other hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunctions. In the current study, 40 children who have survived significant head injury will have baseline thyroid, cortisol, growth hormone screen, and prolactin measurement at the time of injury and 2 to 3 months later. They will then undergo study of their pattern of overnight TSH and GH secretion at 6 months after injury. Subsequently, their growth rate and endocrine screening tests will be evaluated at one year after injury.