Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a worldwide public
health problem and an important cause of
hypopituitarism. The incidence of hypopituitarism
following moderate to severe TBI varies in different
studies and may occur as multiple or isolated hormonal
deficiencies, with gonadotrophin and growth hormone
insufficiencies predominating, particularly in the acute
setting. Adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency is also
common during the recovery phase. Pituitary function
assessment in the acute phase post TBI is subject to
multiple caveats and pitfalls due to hormonal alterations
which occur as normal physiological responses to
critical illness and the effects of drugs that are used in
the intensive care unit. Nonetheless, assessment of the
hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis is of paramount
importance during this period. Predictors of
hypopituitarism during the acute phase of TBI remain
unclear - further research is warranted.peer-reviewe
