Neurotuberculosis as a Cause of Obesity

Hypothalamus, the most evolutionary conserved regions of mammalian brain involved in maintaining homeostasis of life, integrates sensory and hormonal inputs and provides coordinated responses through motor outputs to key regulatory sites. The patterned outputs to various effector sites result in coordinated endocrine ,behavioral ,and autonomic responses to maintain the homeostasis. (1,2) Leptin , an established mediator of body weight and other neuroendocrine functions, is secreted by adipose cells. Its high levels decrease food intake and increase energy expenditure. The childhood obesity which is taking the form of pandemic is multifactorial,i;e various genetic, anatomic, environmental factors are implicated to this disease (1-4). While evaluating the cause of obesity in a child, in addition to the common causes, diseases involving hypothalamus should not be overlooked . We are discussing here 9 year male child who reported to us for obesity and neurotuberculosis as the etiology was established. Case Report A 9 year male child , 2nd in birth order, born to a consanguineous marriage, presented with history of significant weight gain, lethargy, vague pain in both lower limbs and loss of interest in the surroundings for last 6 months. There was history of hyperphagia along with physical inactivity. There was no history of fever, rash, swelling in any joint. History of contact with patient of pulmonary Koch's was present .There was no history of Abstract Childhood obesity, taking the form of pandemic in the present era owing to the food habits, lifestyle etc, is the main cause of adult onset diseases. Obesity is the major risk factor for insulin resistance and diabetes, hypertension, cancer, gall bladder disease, and atherosclerosis in adulthood. Obesity being multi-factorial various genetic, anatomic, environmental factors are implicated to its etiognesis. While evaluating the causes of obesity in a child, in addition to the common causes, diseases involving hypothalamus should not be overlooked. We are discussing here a 9 year male child who reported to us for obesity and neurotuberculosis as the etiology was established.