Height, BMI, and pituitary volume in individuals with and without isolated cleft lip and/or palate

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Individuals with isolated cleft lip and/or palate (ICLP) are often reported to be of shorter stature relative to peers, and the objective of this study was to explore the role of the pituitary in relationship to growth. METHODS Fifty-five males and 32 females with ICLP were compared to 121 healthy males and 158 healthy females with respect to height and BMI. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were obtained from all ICLP participants and 47% of healthy group participants. RESULTS Males with ICLP were shorter than healthy males and had lower BMI. However, the trajectories for height and BMI did not differ between groups. Analyses in a separate sample of adult males suggested that height normalizes in males with ICLP in their early 30s. There were no differences in mean pituitary volume and pituitary trajectories between male groups. Females with ICLP were shorter than healthy females and also had slower growth rates. They did not differ in mean BMI or BMI trajectories. Furthermore, there were no differences in mean pituitary volume, or in pituitary trajectories. DISCUSSION Our findings suggest that there are no gross morphological differences in pituitary volume in individuals with ICLP, although more subtle differences may exist.

Characterization of Subtle Brain Abnormalities in a Mouse Model of Hedgehog Pathway Antagonist-Induced Cleft Lip and Palate

“…One such clinical study described olfaction deficits in adult males born with OFCs [37], while short stature has been well characterized and linked to possible pituitary dysfunction in affected patient populations [38]–[40]. While a recent study found no significant difference in pituitary volume between adult patients with OFCs and controls without clefts, pituitary structure and function were not specifically examined [41]. Consistent with increased volume of the forebrain septal region as described here, neuroimaging studies have identified shifts in tissue distribution in which the anterior cerebrum is enlarged [16], [42].…”

Evaluation of Sella Turcica Shape and Dimensions in Cleft Subjects Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

“…This relationship implies the existence of mechanical coordination in the growth of the pituitary gland alongside its enclosing skeletal compartment and may cause variations in the size of the gland, which are reflected in the shape and size of the sella turcica. Although some studies have demonstrated a relationship between cleft lip and palate [19][20][21] , Van der Plas et al [22] claimed that the pituitary is not involved in differences in isolated cleft lip and palate. In our study, there were differences between the cleft group and the control group in terms of the shape and size of the sella turcica, but it was only the length of the sella turcica that was higher in the cleft group than in the control group.…”

Endocrine abnormalities of patients with cleft lip and/or cleft palate during the neonatal period

“…Adrenal insufficiency may develop during surgical procedures or infections, and middle ear infections are often seen (43). In patients with orofacial median clefts who also have limited adrenal reserve, such as ACTHcortisol deficiency and small-sized adrenal glands, reconstructive surgical operations of the orofacial median clefts may be life-threatening depending on the magnitude of the surgical procedure due to emerging hypoglycemia, hypotension, and cardiovascular collapse.…”