Obesity is common at diagnosis of childhood pituitary adenoma, and may persist following successful treatment.

There is a paucity of data describing long-term outcomes of paediatric patients with pituitary adenoma. In this report we describe clinical features, treatment and outcomes of a paediatric cohort.Retrospective cohort study.24 white Caucasian patients aged <16 years from a single tertiary care centre in the United Kingdom at diagnosis followed for (median, range) 3.3, 0.7 to 8.4 years MEASUREMENTS: Clinical and radiological data at diagnosis and follow up.Thirteen patients had prolactinomas (54.1%, age: 15.2 years, 13.2-15.8 years; all females), including ten macroadenomas (11.0mm-35.0mm). Patients presented with menstrual disorders (91%), headache (46%), galactorrhoea (46%), and obesity (BMI SDS >2: 38%,). Nine patients were treated with cabergoline alone, 3 also required surgery and 2 patients, cabergoline, surgery plus radiotherapy. Five patients had Cushing's Disease (20.8%, age: 14.0, 4.0-15.7 years; 2 female), including one macroadenoma (24mm). Patients presented with obesity (100%), short stature (60%) and headache (40%). Transsphenoidal resection resulted in biochemical cure (09.00 cortisol <50nmol/L). Two patients relapsed three- and six-years following surgery, requiring radiotherapy. One patient who also required bilateral adrenalectomy. Six patients had non-functioning pituitary adenoma (25.0%, age: 15.8, 12.5-16.0 years; 2 female), including two macroadenomas (20.0mm-53.0mm). Patients presented with obesity (67%), visual field defects (50%) and headache (50%). Four required surgical resections; two recurred following surgery and required radiotherapy. On latest follow-up; 13 (54.1%) patients were obese (BMI 3.09 SDS; range: 2.05 to 3.73 SDS).Obesity is common at diagnosis of pituitary adenoma in childhood, and may persist despite successful treatment. Adenomas were larger, more resistant to treatment, and more likely to recur than in adult populations.