The effects of meningitis on anterior pituitary functions

Objective: This study investigated the changes in the anterior pituitary hormones of patients who were admitted to an emergency service and diagnosed with acute meningitis. Methods: A total of 21 patients who were admitted to an emergency service between 01 January and 31 October 2012, and diagnosed with meningitis, were included. Blood samples were collected from the patients within an initial 24 hours of admission and at month 6, in order to measure thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), growth hormone (GH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels. The results were analyzed using SSPS-18 software. Results: Of the patients, 47.6% were male, and 52.4% were female. At month 6, TSH, LH, and ACTH levels were higher than those measured on admission. This difference was meaningful for TSH, but insignificant for LH and ACTH. At month 6, mean GH, FSH, and PRL levels were lower than admission levels. At the time of admission, FSH was at lower than normal levels in seven patients, LH was lower in six patients, TSH was lower in four patients, GH was lower in four patients, and ACTH in was lower in three patients. At month 6, FSH was lower in five patients, LH was lower in four patients, TSH was lower in one patient, GH was lower in six patients, and ACTH was lower in five patients. Conclusion: The differences between hormone levels at admission and at month 6 show that meningitis causes changes in anterior pituitary hormones.