Post partum Anterior Pituitary necrosis

No arteries in anterior pituitary, relies on post-capillary venules of hypothalamus.

During pregnancy, anterior pit hypertrophies. compromised blood supply.

Additional shock/bleeding → necrosis of anterior pituitary gland → hypopituitarism

Symptoms:

• Inability to breast-feed
• Severe fatigue, depression.
• Lack of menstrual bleeding
• Loss of pubic and axillary hair
• Low blood pressure

Treatment: replacement estrogen, progesterone, Thyroid and adrenal.

Rare now.