Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism may be diagnosed shortly after birth because of micropenis and cryptorchidism, combined with subnormal LH and FSH concentrations during the postnatal period.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether treating these patients with gonadotropins postnatally, to mimic the physiological development, would improve testicular growth and fertility potential later in life.
DESIGN: Our patient presented with micropenis. Serum hormone concentrations were measured monthly after delivery: LH and testosterone were undetectable, and FSH and inhibin B were below the normal range (0.05-0.17 IU/l and 79-112 pg/ml respectively).
METHODS: From 7.9 to 13.7 months of age, the patient was treated with recombinant human LH and FSH in doses of 20 and 21.3 IU s.c. twice weekly respectively.
RESULTS: During treatment concentrations of LH, FSH, inhibin B and estradiol increased to values within normal limits (0.7-1.88 IU/l, 0.17-3.24 IU/l, 121-268 pg/ml and 40-55 pmol/l respectively), whereas serum testosterone remained undetectable. Penile length increased from 1.6 to 2.4 cm and testicular volume, assessed by ultrasound, increased by 170%. No significant adverse events were observed.
CONCLUSIONS: Gonadotropin treatment in an infant with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism succeeded in inducing an increase in inhibin B and testicular growth.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | European Journal of Endocrinology |
| Volume | 146 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Pages (from-to) | 75-9 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| ISSN | 0804-4643 |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2002 |
Keywords
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone
- Gonadotropins
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Humans
- Hypogonadism
- Infant, Newborn
- Inhibins
- Injections, Subcutaneous
- Luteinizing Hormone
- Male
- Recombinant Proteins
- Reference Values
- Testis
- Ultrasonography
- Case Reports
- Journal Article