A case of Sheehan syndrome with early postpartum panhypopituitarism and long-term partial improvement of endocrine function
Recently, there have been reports of Sheehan syndrome diagnosed within a short period after delivery. A 35-year-old woman underwent emergency cesarean section because of massive hemorrhage during delivery. Twenty-seven days after delivery, the patient was diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary revealed a subacute pituitary hematoma, which led to the diagnosis of Sheehan’s syndrome. The symptoms improved with hydrocortisone and levothyroxine. Thyroid function improved with the resolution of the pituitary hematoma, but the adrenocorticotropic hormone response disappeared over time. Sheehan syndrome, diagnosed early postpartum, may show partial improvement in endocrine function and require many years of follow-up.
