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22.02.2024 | Original Article

Pituitary gland height evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging in premature twins: the impact of growth and sex

verfasst von: Maria I Argyropoulou, Vasileios Xydis, Loukas G Astrakas, Aikaterini Drougia, Effrosyni I Styliara, Dimitrios-Nikiforos Kiortsis, Vasileios Giapros, Christina Kanaka-Gantenbein

Erschienen in: Pediatric Radiology | Ausgabe 5/2024

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Abstract

Background

Pituitary gland height reflects secretory activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis.

Objective

To assess the cumulative impact of fetal growth and sex on pituitary gland height in premature twins, dissociated from prematurity.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective study was conducted, assessing the pituitary gland height in 63 pairs of preterm twins, measured from T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Auxological parameters, including body weight, body length, and head circumference, at birth and at the time of MRI, were used as proxies for fetal and postnatal growth, respectively. The study population was divided into two groups, using corrected age at around term equivalent as the cutoff point. Statistical analysis was performed using mixed-effects linear regression models.

Results

When pituitary gland height was evaluated at around term equivalent, a greater pituitary gland height, suggesting a more immature hypothamo-pituitary axis, was associated with the twin exhibiting lower auxological data at birth. The same association was observed when body weight and length at MRI were used as covariants. In the group evaluated after term equivalent, a smaller pituitary gland height, suggesting a more mature hypothamo-pituitary axis, was associated with male sex. This difference was observed in twin pairs with higher average body weight at birth, and in babies exhibiting higher auxological data at MRI.

Conclusion

After isolating the effect of prematurity, at around term equivalent, pituitary gland height reflects the cumulative impact of fetal growth on the hypothalamo-pituitary axis. Subsequently, pituitary gland height shows effects of sex and of fetal and postnatal growth.

Graphical Abstract

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Titel: Pituitary gland height evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging in premature twins: the impact of growth and sex
verfasst von: Maria I Argyropoulou
Vasileios Xydis
Loukas G Astrakas
Aikaterini Drougia
Effrosyni I Styliara
Dimitrios-Nikiforos Kiortsis
Vasileios Giapros
Christina Kanaka-Gantenbein
Publikationsdatum: 22.02.2024
Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in: Pediatric Radiology / Ausgabe 5/2024
Print ISSN: 0301-0449
Elektronische ISSN: 1432-1998
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-024-05873-0

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Pituitary gland height evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging in premature twins: the impact of growth and sex