Disease or Syndrome
Sheehan syndrome
Sheehan syn·drome
Definitions related to sheehan syndrome:
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An uncommon cause of hypopituitarism seen after severe postpartum hemorrhaging. Prolonged hypovolemia leads to ischemic necrosis of the pituitary. Clinical signs typically present in the puerperium and include failure to begin lactation, fatigue, hypotension and eventual amenorrhea. Clinical course is usually mild, however extreme cases may progress to adrenal failure. Prognosis is most favorable when hormone replacement is initiated soon after symptom onset.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Sheehan syndrome is a rare, acquired, pituitary hormone deficiency disorder resulting from pituitary necrosis following peri- or postpartum hemorrhage characterized by various symptoms depending on resulting hormone decrease (e.g. failure or difficulty with lactation, oligo- or amenorrhea, hot flashes, decreased libido, weakness, fatigue, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, dizziness, decreased muscle mass, adrenal crisis). Secondary hypothyroidism and secondary adrenal insufficiency may also be presenting signs.OrphaNetINSERM, 2021
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Sheehan's syndrome is a condition that affects women who lose a life-threatening amount of blood in childbirth or who have severe low blood pressure during or after childbirth, which can deprive the body of oxygen. This lack of oxygen that causes damage to the pituitary gland is known as Sheehan's syndrome.Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
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Sheehan syndrome, or postpartum hypopituitarism, is a rare complication of postpartum hemorrhage. Severe blood loss during or after childbirth can deprive the body of oxygen and seriously damage the pituitary gland. This causes the gland to permanently lose its ability to function properly. Symptoms vary, from failure to lactate, to...National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
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Sheehan's syndrome, insufficiency of pituitary hormones (hypopituitarism), caused by destruction of cells of the anterior pituitary gland by oxygen starvation, usually at the time of childbirth. The condition may also result from septic shock, burn shock, or a massive hemorrhage. Once the most...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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