AUTISM AND MULTIPLE PITUITARY DEFICIENCY

We describe a 9-year-old boy who presented with abnormal development i n language and social interaction. He also showed evidence of stereoty ped behaviour, thus fulfilling all the criteria for an ICD-10 diagnosi s of autism. This was associated with multiple pituitary deficiency. N o case of autism associated with hypopituitarism has hitherto been rep orted. The authors discuss the evidence for linking the two conditions as opposed to accepting them as coincidental. In some studies of auti sm, anatomical and imaging studies have provided evidence of pathology in the limbic lobe. This lobe plays an essential role in the modifica tion and expression of emotional reactions. Together with other arras, the limbic system sends outputs from the hypothalamus and from theft to the pituitary. Our ease illustrates a possible lint between emotion al expression and hypopituitarism.