Print friendly version
Sheehan syndrome
Other Names for this Disease
- Postpartum hypopituitarism
- Postpartum panhypopituitarism
- Postpartum panhypopituitary syndrome
- Postpartum pituitary necrosis
- Simmond's disease
See Disclaimer regarding information on this site. Some links on this page may take you to organizations outside of the National Institutes of Health.
Overview
Sheehan syndrome, or postpartum hypopituitarism, is a rare complication of postpartum hemorrhage.[1][2][3] 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.[2][3] While some women have very few symptoms, Sheehan syndrome can lead to an adrenal crisis - a life-threatening shortage of the hormone cortisol.[3] Treatment involves lifelong hormone replacement therapy.[2][3]
References
- Schrager S, Sabo L. J Am Board Fam Med. 2001. http://www.jabfm.org/cgi/reprint/14/5/389.pdf. Accessed February 23, 2010.
- Vorvick L, Storck S. Sheehan syndrome. MedlinePlus. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001175.htm. Accessed February 23, 2010.
- Sheehan's syndrome. MayoClinic.com. http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/sheehans-syndrome/DS00889/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print. Accessed February 23, 2010.
Your Questions Answered
by the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center3 question(s) from the public on Sheehan syndrome have been answered. See questions and answers. You can also submit a new question.
On this page
General Information
- MedlinePlus, a Web site designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, provides more information about this topic. Click on the link to view this information.
- Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. Click on the link to view this information. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
- The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a federation of more than 130 nonprofit voluntary health organizations serving people with rare disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
- Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge. Click on the link to read information on this topic.
- PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Sheehan syndrome. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.
- The MayoClinic.com offers an information page on Sheehan syndrome. You can access this information page by clicking on the above link.
Selected Full-Text Journal Articles
- Schrager S, Sabo L. Sheehan Syndrome: A Rare Complication of Postpartum Hemorrhage. J Am Board Fam Med. 2001; 14(5):389-391.