Hyperbilirubinaemia and idiopathic hypopituitarism in the newborn period.

Two infants with idiopathic panhypopituitarism presented with severe neonatal hypoglycaemia, hepatomegaly and hyperbilirubinaemia (direct and indirect). Abnormal liver function tests returned to normal over a 5--8 month period. The growth rate in the absence of detectable growth hormone was 50% of normal during the first 6 months. The effect of growth hormone on somatomedin levels and growth rate during the first year of life in one of the infants is described.