Acute Sheehan's Syndrome Presenting as Central Diabetes Insipidus

• Autor(a) principal: Robalo, R
• Data de Publicação: 2012
• Outros Autores: Pedroso, C, Agapito, A, Borges, A
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.17/2466
• topic: MAC MED MAF; MAC MED; HCC END; Developing Countries; Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic/diagnosis; Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic/etiology; Hypopituitarism/diagnosis; Pituitary Gland/pathology; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Pregnancy

Sheehan's syndrome occurs as a result of ischaemic pituitary necrosis due to severe postpartum haemorrhage. Improvements in obstetrical care have significantly reduced its incidence in developed countries, but postpartum pituitary infarction remains a common cause of hypopituitarism in developing countries. We report a case of severe postpartum haemorrhage followed by headache, central diabetes insipidus and failure to lactate, which prompted us to investigate and identify both anterior and posterior pituitary deficiency compatible with Sheehan's syndrome. A timely diagnosis allowed us to implement an adequate treatment and follow-up plan, which are known to improve clinical status and patient outcome.