Some Interrelationships of the Endocrine and Nervous Systems in Children

Abstract

The following observations are made to show the interrelationship of the endocrine and nervous systems in children: Both precocious puberty and hypopituitarism may result from disorders of the anterior pituitary.

Diabetes insipidus may be caused by in-activation of the posterior pituitary. About one-half of the children with this syndrome have a craniopharyngioma.

Inadequate thyroid function during infancy may cause maldevelopment of the brain. Hypoparathyroidism may be associated with calcification of the basal ganglions, and has been known to cause intracranial pressure with papilledema.

It is assumed that malformation of the brain seen in association with defective development of the ovaries or testes is caused by some common teratologic agent acting during fetal development.

The central nervous system is particularly susceptible to damage by hypoglycemia.