TY Li, MY Ng, LM Wong

Abstract

Introduction: Prolactinoma occurs most frequently in females between 20 and 50 years of age. In the paediatric population, the estimated incidence of prolactinomas is <0.1 case per million population per year. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients below 19 years diagnosed to have prolactinomas in a paediatric department between 2002 and 2020. The clinical features and treatment response of five girls and a boy were analysed. Results: The estimated incidence of paediatric prolactinomas was 0.29 case per million population per year in our catchment area. Pubertal delay and galactorrhoea were the most frequent presentation. All subjects were initially treated with bromocriptine. A patient required cabergoline. Another did not comply with medications and required trans-sphenoidal surgery. Three female patients required hormonal replacement therapy due to associated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Galactorrhoea in two patients subsided before normoprolactinaemia was achieved. Conclusion: Dopamine agonist is a safe and effective first-line treatment for both micro- and macroadenomas in adolescent patients.