CHOLESTATIC JAUNDICE AND CONGENITAL HYPOPITUITARISM

Objective: The prevalence of cholestatic jaundice as a presenting feat ure of congenital hypopituitarism is assessed. Methodology: A retrospe ctive case record analysis of the presenting features in all patients diagnosed as having congenital hypopituitarism between 1973-93. Result s: Seven of the 20 patients with congenital hypopituitarism presented with cholestatic jaundice as the major initial manifestation of the di sorder. Liver biopsy findings in three revealed intracellular bile pig ment accumulation and variable giant cell formation. Conclusion: Chole static jaundice was the major manifestation of congenital hypopituitar ism in 35% of patients presenting in the neonatal or early infancy per iod.