Structural changes of the pituitary gland related to neonatal conditions: a pilot study and literature review

Abstract

The pituitary gland is a key endocrine organ involved in the regulation of neuroendocrine functions. However, its morphology during childhood remains poorly documented, with fragmented data in the worlwide literature and almost no studies in the local context. This paper aims to analyze morphological aspects of the infant pituitary gland by correlating existing literature data with histological observations from a series of pediatric autopsy cases. Morphological analysis was performed on standard hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. Changes observed in both the adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis are described, highlighting structural particularities during the neonatal period. The study provides preliminary observations regarding cellular distribution, tissue maturation, and potential influences of neonatal pathology on pituitary architecture. The conclusions contribute to a better understanding of normal pituitary development and possible morphological deviations during childhood.