Puberty

When my child, Matthew, who has complete Agenesis
of the Corpus Callosum was very little I was told
by one of his doctors that puberty can sometimes
be affected due to the corpus callosum being
missing. It was explained to me that because the
corpus callosum is midline in the brain and it sits
very close to where the pituitary is there is a
chance that the pituitary may also have a problem.
The pituitary is what controls the hormones and
begins the onset of puberty.



A child's growth can sometimes also be
affected as a result of having Agenesis
of the Corpus Callosum. Some kids with
ACC actually need to go on growth hormone
to help them grow.



Matthew actually began seeing a pediatric
endocrinologist because he was very small for
his age. While his weight was in the normal
range on the growth charts his height was at the
lowest percentile on the growth charts. The
doctor did a hand and wrist x-ray on Matthew to
check his bone age. She also did a blood test to
check all of his hormone levels. Matthew's hand
and wrist x-ray showed that his bone age is two
years behind his real age. His hormone levels
were all normal. After additional questioning
and examination by his doctor it was determined
that all is well with Matthew's growth.

Matthew's pediatric endocrinologist sees Matthew
on a yearly basis to be sure that his hormones
are functioning normally and to be sure that he
entered into puberty at a normal time. She also
continues to monitor his growth. She explained
to me that sometimes kids who have ACC may enter
into puberty way too early and that if that
happens puberty will need to be delayed. She
also said that some kids with ACC can enter
puberty late and some may not enter puberty
at all and if a child who has ACC doesn't enter
into puberty then a pediatric endocrinologist
would be able to give them the hormones necessary
to help puberty begin.

Matthew began entering into puberty somewhere
around 14 years old but it wasn't until about 15
that he was really in puberty. At his last
endocrinologist appointment his doctor checked
all of his hormone levels and they were right
where they should be.

I asked her if some kids who have ACC might
start to enter puberty and then it slows down
or stops without fully entering puberty. She
told me that is also a possibility but that in
Matthew's case he is doing very well and she
doesn't see that happening in his case.

When a child has Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum
there is the possiblity of problems with puberty
but doesn't mean that it will happen. If you have
concerns about puberty or growth it is always a
good idea to discuss them with your child's
pediatric endocrinologist.