The patient with Turner syndrome: puberty and medical management concerns

Histologic analysis of gonadal tissue in patients with Turner syndrome and Y chromosome material

This study investigates gonadal histology in individuals with Turner syndrome assigned female at birth and Y-chromosome material (TS+Y) who underwent prophylactic gonadectomy. Despite case reports suggesting spontaneous menarche and pregnancies in TS+Y, this research reveals the absence of germ cells, indicating low fertility likelihood. Germ cell neoplasia in-situ was present in some patients, emphasizing a non-negligible risk of cancer precursor. As no malignancies were found even in older individuals, the study challenges the immediate need for prophylactic gonadectomy upon TS+Y diagnosis. Limited fertility benefits are suggested, emphasizing the need for further research on optimal timing and criteria for the procedure.

Liver abnormalities in Turner’s syndrome – the importance of estrogen replacement

Turner syndrome is one of the most frequently reported sex chromosomal abnormalities, affecting approximately 40 in every 100 000 live female births. The underlying chromosomal alteration is the complete or partial loss of X chromosome or mosaicism. Because of primary ovarian insufficiency, the synthesis of estrogen hormones is compromised, and patients require hormone substitution. Apart from the phenotypical presentation (short stature, primary amenorrhea), the effects of ovarian insufficiency can affect diverse organ systems (such as cardiovascular, endocrine, and lymphatic systems). Hepatobiliary pathology can present on a broad spectrum: from mild asymptomatic hypertransaminasemia to marked architectural changes. Estrogen hormone replacement therapy in these patients can improve the perturbations of laboratory values and can attenuate the progression of hepatic structural changes. Moreover, providing sufficient estrogen replacement has numerous benefits for other conditions of the patients as well. Both the all-cause mortality and deaths from cardiovascular complications are greatly increased in Turner syndrome, and hormone replacement might contribute to the decreased incidence of these events. The diagnostics of Turner syndrome are outside the scope of our paper, and we briefly discuss the cardiovascular complications because many the liver involvement partially involves alterations of vascular origin. Though we sought to highlight the importance of proper hormone replacement therapy, we did not attempt to write a comprehensive recommendation for exact treatment protocols. We provided an overview of preferred therapeutic approaches, as the treatment should be tailored according to the individual patient’s needs.

Etiology and management of amenorrhea in adolescent and young adult women

In this article, we will review the etiology and management of amenorrhea in adolescent and young adult women, beginning with the diagnostic work-up and followed by etiologies organized by system. Most cases of amenorrhea are caused by dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, which is the major regulator of the female reproductive hormones: estrogen and progesterone.  We begin by reviewing hypothalamic etiologies, including eating disorders and relative energy deficiency in sport. Then, pituitary causes of amenorrhea are reviewed, including hyperprolactinemia, empty sella syndrome, Sheehan's syndrome and Cushing's syndrome. Next, ovarian causes of amenorrhea are reviewed, including polycystic ovarian syndrome and primary ovarian insufficiency. Finally, other etiologies of amenorrhea are discussed, including thyroid disease, adrenal disease and reproductive tract anomalies. In conclusion, there is a wide and diverse range of causes of amenorrhea in adolescents that originate from any level of the HPO axis, as well as anatomic and chromosomal etiologies.   Treatment should be focused on the underlying cause. Preservation of bone density and risk of fractures should be discussed with amenorrheic patients since many causes of amenorrhea can result in decreased bone density and may be irreversible.

The current status of 492 adult women with Turner syndrome: a questionnaire survey by the Foundation for Growth Science

Current status and its background of Adult Turner Syndrome (TS) are not clarified well. Via a questionnaire survey of 492 adult women with TS, this study investigated the association between menstruation, Kaufmann therapy (menstrual induction therapy), social status (education, employment & marriage), complications, transition from pediatric to adult care, and sex chromosome karyotype using statistical methods. Spontaneous menarche occurred in 22.0% and more frequently among patients with the 45,X/46,XX karyotype. Over 60% of these subjects, menstruation did not persist regularly. Kauffmann therapy was performed in 69.4%; the most common formulation was a conjugated estrogen and progesterone combination. Marriage and higher education advancement rates were low in adults with TS, whereas their employment rate was similar to that of the age-matched general female population. Patients receiving Kauffmann therapy had higher complication rates, greater education length, and higher employment rates. The higher-education advancement rate was observed among patients with 45,X/46,X,Xi and 46,X,Xi karyotypes. Transition from pediatrician to adult specialist was not smooth, subjects were treated in pediatric departments (60.7%), gynecological department (21.4%), internal medicine departments (13.3%), and others. While reason is not clear, the largest number of TS patients are treated in general pediatrics and the percentage of receiving Kauffmann therapy and having complication were significantly lower than in pediatric and adult department of endocrinology (& metabolism). This Study revealed many novel findings of adult TS.

Increased Risk of Aortic Dissection Associated With Pregnancy in Women With Turner Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Importance

Turner syndrome (TS) is one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities in women. The condition is characterized by gonadal dysgenesis and is associated with structural cardiac abnormalities. Assisted reproductive technology with oocyte donation may be successful but places women with TS at increased risk of aortic dissection and death.

Objective

To summarize all cases of aortic dissection associated with pregnancy in women with TS and provide guidance regarding the safety of pregnancy.

Evidence Acquisition

Systematic review of PubMed for reports of women with TS, aortic dissection, and pregnancy.

Results

There are 14 total reported cases of aortic dissection associated with pregnancy in women with TS. Ten of these cases occurred during pregnancy or in the first month postpartum. The majority of affected pregnancies resulted from oocyte donation, 2 of which were multiple gestations. Two women had a documented history of hypertension, and 3 pregnancies were complicated by preeclampsia. Bicuspid aortic valve and coarctation of the aorta were the most common associated cardiac anomalies. More than half of women had some degree of aortic dilatation. Two women had no identifiable risk factors.

Conclusions and Relevance

Women with TS who desire pregnancy must be thoroughly counseled regarding the increased risk of aortic dissection during pregnancy and postpartum. Preconception consultation with maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology, and cardiology is necessary along with a comprehensive physical evaluation. If women with TS choose to pursue pregnancy, they require rigorous cardiac monitoring each trimester during pregnancy and postpartum.

Haplotype analysis of the X chromosome in patients with Turner syndrome in order to verify the possible effect of imprinting on selected symptoms

AIMS

Turner syndrome is the only chromosome monosomy that is postnatally compatible with life. The reported incidence of TS is 1 in 2500 liveborn girls. The phenotype of these girls is highly variable, with cardiac abnormalities being life-threatening defects. The aim of the study was to reveal the possible influence of the parental origin of the X chromosome in these patients on a selected phenotype that is associated with Turner syndrome. Selected symptoms and parameters were: a bicuspid aortic valve, aortic coarctation, lymphoedema, pterygium colli, coeliac disease, thyroiditis, otitis media, diabetes mellitus 2, renal abnormalities, spontaneous puberty, and IVF.

METHODS

The X chromosome haplotype was determined for a group of 45,X patients verified by native FISH. A molecular diagnostic method based on the detection of different lengths of X chromosome-linked STR markers using the Argus X-12 QS kit was used to determine the X haplotype.

RESULTS

Our results, analysed by Fisher's exact (factorial) test, suggest independence between the maternal/paternal origin of the inherited X chromosome and the presence of the anomalies that were studied (P=1 to P=0.34).

CONCLUSION

In the group of 45,X patients, who were precisely selected by means of the native FISH method, no correlation was demonstrated with the parental origin of the X chromosome and the observed symptom.

Premature ovarian insufficiency in adolescence: a chance for early diagnosis?

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is typically diagnosed when amenorrhea is combined with high gonadotrophins and hypoestrogenemia in a woman under 40 years of age, although, more rarely, POI can develop in adolescence and present with delayed puberty or amenorrhea, depending on the timing of follicular depletion or insult to the ovary. In a proportion of girls, the diagnosis may be made at an early stage of POI, presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding, when some follicular function is still retained. The natural history of POI in this group of patients is not clear; however, they could represent a subgroup with a unique opportunity for early intervention and thus the provision of fertility preservation options. While the etiology of POI in a large number of girls remains unknown, a growing number will be identified as carriers of genetic mutations, offering clinicians a yet greater opportunity to provide genetic counseling to other female family members. The aim of this review is to provide information regarding the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of POI in adolescents while detailing the new options for fertility preservation when POI is diagnosed at an early stage.

Breast Cancer and Major Deviations of Genetic and Gender-related Structures and Function

We have searched the literature for information on the risk of breast cancer (BC) in relation to gender, breast development, and gonadal function in the following 8 populations: 1) females with the Turner syndrome (45, XO); 2) females and males with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and the Kallmann syndrome; 3) pure gonadal dysgenesis (PGD) in genotypic and phenotypic females and genotypic males (Swyer syndrome); 4) males with the Klinefelter syndrome (47, XXY); 5) male-to-female transgender individuals; 6) female-to-male transgender individuals; 7) genotypic males, but phenotypic females with the complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, and 8) females with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome (müllerian agenesis). Based on this search, we have drawn 3 major conclusions. First, the presence of a Y chromosome protects against the development of BC, even when female-size breasts and female-level estrogens are present. Second, without menstrual cycles, BC hardly occurs with an incidence comparable to males. There is a strong correlation between the lifetime number of menstrual cycles and the risk of BC. In our populations the BC risk in genetic females not exposed to progesterone (P4) is very low and comparable to males. Third, BC has been reported only once in genetic females with MRKH syndrome who have normal breasts and ovulating ovaries with normal levels of estrogens and P4. We hypothesize that the oncogenic glycoprotein WNT family member 4 is the link between the genetic cause of MRKH and the absence of BC women with MRKH syndrome.

Current situation and outcomes of pregnancy in women with Turner syndrome in Japan

AIM

Reports on pregnancy and delivery in women with Turner syndrome (TS) in Japan are limited to case reports, and the current situation remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the current situation of pregnancy and delivery in women with TS in Japan.

METHODS

Our study comprised primary and secondary surveys and we included perinatal centers approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

RESULTS

A total of 24 cases from 19 facilities were reported, and we obtained individual information for 20 cases from 16 facilities. Of these 20 patients, 13 (65%) had become pregnant via oocyte donation. Three of these patients had received oocyte donation in Japan, while the other 10 had received donations in foreign countries. The other seven patients became pregnant with their own oocyte, with spontaneous menarche. Live babies were delivered by 18 patients, while an induced abortion was required at 18 weeks of gestation in one patient and an intrauterine fetal death from an unknown cause was detected at 38 weeks of gestation in another patient. Cesarean section was performed in 14 patients, with the most frequent indication being cephalopelvic disproportion. The rate of implementation of screening for complications related to TS was low, suggesting insufficient cooperation between facilities responsible for TS treatment, infertility and pregnancy and delivery management.

CONCLUSION

To improve pregnancy outcomes in women with TS, improved cooperation between facilities and laws regarding oocyte donation in Japan are needed.

Levonorgestrel correlates with less weight gain than other progestins during hormonal replacement therapy in Turner Syndrome patients

Turner Syndrome (TS) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic complications. Furthermore, TS women need hormone replacement therapy (HRT), of which progestins can influence body weight. We aimed to analyze the metabolic and weight profile in a cohort of 111 TS women. They started receiving estrogen at 15.8 (±3.6) years old, with no change in hypertension, dysglycemia, and dyslipidemia incidence but with a tendency to increase overweight (p = 0.054). As the first used type of progestin, most had received cycles of 10 days per month of medroxyprogesterone (MPA) or levonorgestrel (LNG), then shifted to micronized progesterone (MP), which has currently become the most used one. By multiple linear regression analysis, we found that the prolonged use of MPA, LNG, or MP showed no metabolic change except for weight gain. The percentage of annual BMI increment was positive for all progestins used in TS women (MPA 2.2 ± 2.2; LNG 0.2 ± 1.2; and MP 2.2 ± 2.6 kg/m2), but LNG seemed to best prevent on weight gain over time (p < 0.05). In conclusion, metabolic comorbidities are prevalent in TS even before the HRT regimen, and LNG performed better on less weight gain than MPA and MP in our cohort of the TS population.

Case report: a Chinese girl with dent disease 1 and turner syndrome due to a hemizygous CLCN5 gene mutation and Isochromosome (Xq)

Background

Female Dent disease 1 patients with low-molecular-weight proteinuria (LMWP) due to CLCN5 gene mutation were rarely reported, and these cases that the people were also with Turner syndrome (TS) were even hardly documented before.

Case presentation

Here we report a 3-year and 11-month old Chinese girl with short stature who had a karyotype of 46,X,i(X)(q10) and a de novo pathogenic variant in the CLCN5 gene on the short arm of X chromosome. Laboratory examinations showed that the patient had LMWP, hypercalciuria, hypophosphatemia, delayed bone age, and genital dysplasia.

Conclusion

The combination of i(X)(q10) and CLCN5 mutation causes the deletion of the wild-type CLCN5 allele that results in Dent-1 and TS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case that a female CLCN5 mutation hemizygote is diagnosed with Dent-1 and Turner syndrome due to isochromosome X. Also, our case has indicated that the prevalence of the situation may be largely underestimated because of the mild signs of females with Dent-1.

Effect of Dosage of 17ß-Estradiol on Uterine Growth in Turner Syndrome-A Randomized Controlled Clinical Pilot Trial

CONTEXT

Most Turner syndrome (TS) girls need exogenous estrogen treatment to induce puberty and normal uterine growth. After puberty, the optimal estrogen treatment protocol has not been determined.

OBJECTIVE

To compare 2 doses of oral 17ß-estradiol on uterine size.

DESIGN

A double-blind, 5-year randomized controlled clinical trial.

SETTING

Ambulatory care.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty young TS women (19.2 ± 2.5 years, range 16.0-24.9) participated. Sixteen patients completed the study. No patients withdrew due to adverse effects.

INTERVENTION

The lower dose (LD) group took 2 mg 17ß-estradiol/d orally and placebo. The higher dose (HD) group took 4 mg 17ß-estradiol/d orally.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Uterine volume evaluated by transabdominal ultrasound yearly.

RESULTS

Uterine size increased significantly more in the HD group compared with the LD group (P = 0.038), with a gain in uterine volume within the first 3 years of treatment of 19.6 mL (95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.0-19.0) in the HD group compared with 11.5 mL (95% CI = 11.2-27.9) in the LD group. The difference in 3-year gain was 8.1 mL (95% CI = 0.7-15.9). At the last visit, there were no significant differences in uterine volume between the groups.

CONCLUSION

HD oral 17ß-estradiol induces a steeper increase in uterine volume within the first years of treatment compared with the LD. However, the uterine growth potential seems to be the same in most young TS women making the duration of treatment equally significant as estrogen dose, although a few TS women did not experience sufficient uterine growth on 2 mg of estradiol.

CLINICALTRIALS.GOV

NCT00134745Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; BSA, body surface area; DHEAS, dihydroepiandrosteronesulfate; HD, higher dose; HRT, hormone replacement therapy; LD, lower dose; TS, Turner syndrome; US, ultrasound.

Auditory function and dysfunction: estrogen makes a difference

Estrogen is the major female hormone involved in reproductive functions, but it also exerts a variety of additional roles in non-reproductive organs. In this review, we highlight the preclinical and clinical studies that have pointed out sex differences and estrogenic influence on audition. We also describe the experimental evidences supporting a protective role of estrogen towards acquired forms of hearing loss. Although a high level of endogenous estrogen is associated with a better hearing function, hormonal treatments at menopause have provided contradictory outcomes. The various factors that are likely to explain these discrepancies include the treatment regimen as well as the hormonal status and responsiveness of the patients. The complexity of estrogen signaling is being untangled and many downstream effectors of its genomic and non-genomic actions have been identified in other systems. Based on these advances and on the common physio-pathological events that underlie age-related, drug or noise-induced hearing loss, we discuss potential mechanisms for their protective actions in the cochlea.

Elevated Levels of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D in Plasma as a Missing Risk Factor for Celiac Disease

The prevalence of celiac disease (CD) has increased significantly in some developed countries in recent decades. Potential risk factors that have been considered in the literature do not appear to provide a convincing explanation for this increase. This has led some researchers to hypothesize that there is a "missing environmental factor" that increases the risk of CD. Based on evidence from the literature, the author proposes that elevation in plasma levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)₂D] is a missing risk factor for CD, and relatedly that significant oral vitamin D exposure is a "missing environmental factor" for CD. First, elevated plasma levels of 1,25(OH)₂D are common in CD, especially in the newly diagnosed. Second, nine distinct conditions that increase plasma levels of 1,25(OH)₂D are either associated with CD or have indications of such an association in the literature. Third, a retrospective study shows that sustained oral vitamin D supplementation in infancy is associated with increased CD risk, and other studies on comorbid conditions support this association. Fourth, large doses of oral vitamin D upregulate many of the same cytokines, chemokines, and toll-like receptors that are upregulated in CD. Fifth, epidemiological evidence, such as the timing of the inception of a CD "epidemic" in Sweden, the increased prevalence of CD in Finland and the United States in recent decades, the unusually low prevalence of CD in Germany, and the differential in prevalence between Finnish Karelians and Russian Karelians, may all be explained by oral vitamin D exposure increasing CD risk. The same is true of some seemingly contradictory results in the literature on the effects of breastfeeding on CD risk. If future research validates this hypothesis, adjustments to oral vitamin D consumption among those who have genetic susceptibility may decrease the risk of CD in these individuals.

Comprehensive medical treatment of women with Turner syndrome may improve pregnancy outcomes: A case report

A 35-year-old primiparous woman was diagnosed with Turner syndrome at the age of 12 yr due to short stature. Her karyotype showed a mosaic pattern [45, X(19)/46, XX(11)]. She had been followed up by the pediatric service. GH was not prescribed because, although she was of relatively short stature, her growth trajectory was reasonable. She was started on estrogen replacement therapy at 15 yr of age and switched to Kaufmann therapy after 1 yr. After transitioning her care to the gynecology service at 20 yr of age, she was screened for complications and Kaufmann therapy was continued. No abnormalities were detected in the pre-pregnancy screening. She conceived by in vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation with oocyte donation. No severe complications occurred during gestation, and she gave birth to a female neonate vaginally at 41 wk and 6 d of gestation. The neonate’s birthweight was 3166 g, and her Apgar scores were 8 and 9 at 1 and 5 min, respectively. No severe complications occurred during the postpartum period. Comprehensive medical treatment and appropriate transition from pediatric to adult services may improve the pregnancy outcomes of women with Turner syndrome.

Inherited Deletion of 1q, Hyperparathyroidism and Signs of Y-chromosomal Influence in a Patient with Turner Syndrome

We report a detailed phenotypic, cytogenetic and molecular characterization of a patient prenatally diagnosed with Turner syndrome (TS). In addition to having typical TS clinical characteristics including webbed neck, high arched palate and coarctation of the aorta, the patient had features less frequently seen in TS. These included recurrent parathyroid adenomas, growth along the 75^th-90^th centiles on the TS height curve despite minimal treatment with growth hormone, behavioral problems and evidence of gonadal dysgenesis with testicular-like structures, such as seminiferous tubules lined by Sertoli cells and a contiguous nodule of Leydig cells. While fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) failed to detect Y-chromosome material in gonadal tissue or blood samples, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) confirmed X monosomy and a 4.69 Mb copy number loss on 1q31.2q31.3 (bp 192,715,814 to 197,401,180). This region contains the CDC73 gene which has been associated with hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome, features of which include recurrent, functional parathyroid adenomas and behavioral issues. This case illustrates how atypical features in a TS patient, such as robust growth and recurrent parathyroid adenomas, may suggest an underlying molecular etiology that should be explored by additional genetic diagnostic modalities. It is therefore appropriate in such cases to conduct further genetic testing, such as CMA and FISH, to explore other diagnostic possibilities and possibly prevent further complications.

Adrenarche and pubarche in girls with turner syndrome during growth-promoting therapy with human growth hormone

BACKGROUND

Data on adrenarche and pubarche in girls with Turner syndrome (TS) are inconsistent in the literature.

METHODS

The cohort consisted of 94 girls and young women with TS born between 1971 and 2001 (age range: 3.1-23.2 yrs.), who were treated with human growth hormone and regularly presented at our outpatient clinic every 4 to 6 months.The longitudinal data of all patients were ascertained retrospectively from patient charts. The data collection ended in January 2016. Adrenarche was assessed by serum DHEAS levels and pubertal status by Tanner stages. Pubarche was defined as the appearance of pubic hair (PH2), whereas spontaneous puberty was defined as Tanner stage B2. The patients were retrospectively subdivided in two groups with regard to pubertal development: group 1 (n = 21) with spontaneous puberty and group 2 (n = 70) with induced puberty. Since blood samples were not taken at every visit, we generated seven groups according to the age of the children at which the blood samples were taken: 3-5, 5-7, 7-9, 9-11, 11-13, 13-15, and 15-17 yrs. Serum DHEAS and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay and compared with those of a control group of healthy girls.

RESULTS

Adrenarche started in TS girls between 5 and 7 years. TS girls had higher DHEAS levels than the control group, with statistically significant differences in the age groups 7 to 17 years. No differences were determined between the TS girls with spontaneous puberty and those with POI. TS girls in group 2 reached the Tanner stages PH2 (p < 0.04), PH3 (p < 0.01), PH4 and PH5 (p < 0.001) markedly later than TS girls in group 1.

CONCLUSIONS

The onset of adrenarche in girls with TS undergoing GH therapy does not differ from that in healthy girls. However, adrenarche is more pronounced in girls with TS. There is no difference in DHEAS levels between the TS girls with spontaneous puberty and the TS girls with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), while the tempo of pubarche is markedly slower in the girls with POI.

Clinical Features of Girls with Turner Syndrome in a Single Centre in Malaysia

Objectives

Diagnosis of Turner syndrome in Malaysia is often late. This may be due to a lack of awareness of the wide clinical variability in this condition. In our study, we aim to examine the clinical features of all our Turner patients during the study period and at presentation.

Methodology

This was a cross-sectional study. Thirty-four (34) Turner patients were examined for Turner-specific clinical features. The karyotype, clinical features at presentation, age at diagnosis and physiologic features were retrieved from their medical records.

Results

Patients with 45,X presented at a median age of 1 month old with predominantly lymphoedema and webbed neck. Patients with chromosome mosaicism or structural X abnormalities presented at a median age of 11 years old with a broader clinical spectrum, short stature being the most common presenting clinical feature. Cubitus valgus deformity, nail dysplasia and short 4th/5th metacarpals or metatarsals were common clinical features occurring in 85.3%-94.1% of all Turner patients. Almost all patients aged ≥2 years were short irrespective of karyotype.

Conclusion

Although short stature is a universal finding in Turner patients, it is usually unrecognised till late. Unlike the 45,X karyotype, non-classic Turner syndrome has clinical features which may be subtle and difficult to discern. Our findings underscore the importance of proper serial anthropometric measurements in children. Awareness for the wide spectrum of presenting features and careful examination for Turner specific clinical features is crucial in all short girls to prevent a delay in diagnosis.

Anti-Müllerian hormone levels in patients with turner syndrome: Relation to karyotype, spontaneous puberty, and replacement therapy

Most girls with Turner syndrome (TS) suffer from incomplete sexual development, premature ovarian failure, and infertility due to abnormal ovarian folliculogenesis. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels reflect the ovarian reserve in females, even in childhood. Thus, we aimed to assess serum AMH levels in girls with TS and its relation to karyotype, spontaneous puberty, and growth hormone (GH) therapy. Fifty TS were compared to 50 age- and sex-matched controls. All subjects were subjected to history, anthropometric assessment, Tanner pubertal staging and measurement of serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and AMH. Karyotype results were obtained from patients' records. Serum AMH was measurable in 12 TS patients (24%). The lowest frequency of measurable AMH was in patients with a karyotype of 45,X. The measurable AMH was associated with spontaneous breast development (p = .003) and spontaneous menarche (p = .001). AMH correlated negatively with FSH (r = -.846, p = .000) and LH (r = -.83, p = .034). GH therapy increased the odds of having measurable AMH in TS girls (p = .002). In conclusion, AMH was associated with karyotype, spontaneous pubertal development, LH, and FSH in TS girls and may serve as a useful marker of ovarian function and ongoing follicular development in prepuberty.

Nationwide Study of Turner Syndrome in Ukrainian Children: Prevalence, Genetic Variants and Phenotypic Features

Objective

We aimed to investigate the prevalence of Turner syndrome (TS) in the Ukrainian population, the frequency of karyotype variants, the age of children at diagnosis, the degree of short stature and phenotypic features in TS girls.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was made in 538 TS girls aged 0.11-18.2 years within the time period of 2005-2015 with detailed examination of 150 patients.

Results

The prevalence of TS in Ukraine is 77.5 in 100.000 live female births. The average age at diagnosis is 9.33±4.93 years. The relative proportions of karyotypic abnormalities found were: 45,X (59.3%); mosaicism 45,X/46,XX (22.9%); and structural abnormalities in chromosome X (17.8%). The most frequently encountered findings were growth delay (98.8%), shortening of the 4th and 5th metacarpal bones (74.6%), abnormal nails (73.3%), broad chest (60.7%), short neck (58.6%), hypertelorism of nipples (51.4%), malformations of the cardiovascular (19.6%) and urinary systems (13.8%) and pathology related to vision (20.1%) and hearing (22.0%).

Conclusion

In the Ukrainian population, the highest proportion of patients with TS had a karyotype 45,X. TS was accompanied by a lower frequency of malformations of internal organs compared to other countries.

Development of a computer-aided tool for the pattern recognition of facial features in diagnosing Turner syndrome: comparison of diagnostic accuracy with clinical workers

Technologies applied for the recognition of facial features in diagnosing certain disorders seem to be promising in reducing the medical burden and improve the efficiency. This pilot study aimed to develop a computer-assisted tool for the pattern recognition of facial features for diagnosing Turner syndrome (TS). Photographs of 54 patients with TS and 158 female controls were collected from July 2016 to May 2017. Finally, photographs of 32 patients with TS and 96 age-matched controls were included in the study that were further divided equally into training and testing groups. The process of automatic classification consisted of image preprocessing, facial feature extraction, feature reduction and fusion, automatic classification, and result presentation. A total of 27 physicians and 21 medical students completed a web-based test including the same photographs used in computer testing. After training, the automatic facial classification system for diagnosing TS achieved a 68.8% sensitivity and 87.5% specificity (and a 67.6% average sensitivity and 87.9% average specificity after resampling), which was significantly higher than the average sensitivity (57.4%, P < 0.001) and specificity (75.4%, P < 0.001) of 48 participants, respectively. The accuracy of this system was satisfactory and better than the diagnosis by clinicians. However, the system necessitates further improvement for achieving a high diagnostic accuracy in clinical practice.

Turner syndrome caused by rare complex structural abnormalities involving chromosome X

Turner syndrome (TS) is a phenotypic heterogeneous genetic disorder caused by the loss of an X-chromosome or X-structural abnormalities in the X-chromosome, and affects approximately 1 in every 2,500 females. The affected individuals may develop diverse clinical features, including short stature, ovarian dysgenesis, skeletal dysplasia, facial abnormalities and other disorders. A constitutional karyotype of 45, X accounts for nearly 50% of TS patients, while X-mosaicism and other X-chromosomal structural abnormalities, including deletions, duplications, ring, isodicentric chromosomes, inversions and translocations, have been reported in other cases. The present study reports the results of chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) in two Chinese female TS patients with idiosyncratic karyotypes. The first patient had a karyotype of 46, X, der(X), and the CMA results demonstrated that the derivative chromosome was an abnormal X-chromosome that consisted of three deletions (Xp21.3-p11.23, Xp11.1-q13.1 and Xq21.31-q28), as well as three duplications (Xp22.33-p21.3, Xp11.23-p11.1 and Xq13.1-q21.31). The karyotype of the second patient was 46, X, der(X) t(X;?)(q 22.1;?),inv(11)(q13.5q21), while CMA revealed an Xq21.2-q27.1 duplication and an Xq27.2-q28 deletion. In conclusion, the current study performed genotype-phenotype correlation analysis in two patients and provided novel insight of the genotype of TS.

Incidence, puberty, and fertility in 45,X/47,XXX mosaicism: Report of a patient and a literature review

Turner syndrome (TS), characterized by short stature and premature ovarian failure, is caused by chromosomal aberrations with total or partial loss of one of the two X chromosomes. Spontaneous puberty, menarche, and pregnancy occur in some patients depending on the abnormality of the X. Moreover, spontaneous pregnancy is uncommon (<0.5%) for TS with 45,X monosomy. Among TS patients, 45,X/47,XXX karyotype is extremely rare. Previous reports have demonstrated that TS with 45,X/47,XXX is less severe than common TS due to higher occurrence of puberty (83%), menarche (57-67%), and fertility (14%) and lower occurrence of congenital anomalies (<5%). However, TS mosaicism may not reduce the frequency of short stature. We diagnosed a 10-year-girl with TS with 45,X/47,XXX mosaicism who presented with short stature. She showed mild TS phenotype including short stature but had spontaneous puberty. Based on our case and previous reports, we expect that girls with 45,X/47,XXX mosaicism may progress through puberty normally, without estrogen therapy. Therefore, it is necessary to consider specific guidelines for clinical decisions surrounding pubertal development and fertility in TS with 45,X/47,XXX karyotype.

Care of girls and women with Turner syndrome: beyond growth and hormones

Turner syndrome (TS), although considered a rare disease, is the most common sex chromosome abnormality in women, with an incident of 1 in 2500 female births. TS is characterized by distinctive physical features such as short stature, ovarian dysgenesis, an increased risk for heart and renal defects as well as a specific cognitive and psychosocial phenotype. Given the complexity of the condition, patients face manifold difficulties which increase over the lifespan. Furthermore, failures during the transitional phase to adult care result in moderate health outcomes and decreased quality of life. Guidelines on the optimal screening procedures and medical treatment are easy to find. However, recommendations for the treatment of the incriminating psychosocial aspects in TS are scarce. In this work, we first reviewed the literature on the cognitive and psychosocial development of girls with TS compared with normal development, from disclosure to young adulthood, and then introduce a psychosocial approach to counseling and treating patients with TS, including recommendations for age-appropriate psychological diagnostics. With this work, we aim to facilitate the integration of emphasized psychosocial care in state-of-the-art treatment for girls and women with TS.

Concepts and Updates in the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Common Disorders of Sexual Development

Our understanding of disorders of sexual differentiation (DSD) has evolved from aberrations of human genital development to a broad group of complex disorders of etiological and functional significance. The unique challenge of DSD conditions is that they create a cause for significant angst and concern for both parents and physician, as they frequently lead to questions with regards to gender assignment, surgically corrective options, long-term outlook regarding gender identity, and reproductive potential. To further add to the burden, many patients who present with genital abnormalities do not have a clear explanation as to the underlying basis of their disorder. This review looks at DSD from a pediatric urology point of view with emphasis on evaluation, diagnosis, and algorithm for work-up. We also discuss novel genetic analysis techniques and their value in diagnosis. Overall, this is an all-encompassing review on a diagnostic approach to DSD, with inclusion of recent developments and controversies, which will benefit urologists and other physicians alike.

Therapeutic effects of growth hormone combined with low-dose stanozolol on growth velocity and final height of girls with Turner syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Turner syndrome (TS), which is characterized by short stature and gonadal dysfunction, is managed by pharmacotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) combined with low-dose stanozolol on the growth and final adult height (FAH) of girls with Turner syndrome (TS).

DESIGN

Prospective study.

PATIENTS

A total of 44 girls with TS were treated with rhGH (47·6-52·4 μg/kg/day) and low-dose stanozolol (20-35 μg/kg/day), starting at a mean age of 12·65 ± 1·99 year. The control group consisted of 22 girls with TS, who did not receive treatment.

MEASUREMENTS

Subjects' growth velocity (GV) was investigated. Height standard deviation score (HtSDS) was calculated relative to healthy Chinese girls (HtSDSN or ) as well as untreated Chinese girls with TS (HtSDSTS ). Post-treatment follow-up was performed until the subjects achieved FAH or near FAH.

RESULTS

FAH was significantly higher in subjects receiving treatment compared to the untreated controls (151·42 vs 137·75 cm, P < 0·001). GV was significantly higher in the first to fourth years of treatment compared to baseline values (P < 0·001); it was significantly lower in the second to fourth years of treatment compared to the first year (P < 0·001).

CONCLUSIONS

In girls with TS, 9-12 years of age, rhGH combined with low-dose stanozolol may effectively increase growth. At least a 2-year course of this treatment may effectively improve FAH with proper delay of oestrogen-induced development.

Rare diseases in clinical endocrinology: a taxonomic classification system

PURPOSE

Rare endocrine-metabolic diseases (REMD) represent an important area in the field of medicine and pharmacology. The rare diseases of interest to endocrinologists involve all fields of endocrinology, including rare diseases of the pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands, paraganglia, ovary and testis, disorders of bone and mineral metabolism, energy and lipid metabolism, water metabolism, and syndromes with possible involvement of multiple endocrine glands, and neuroendocrine tumors. Taking advantage of the constitution of a study group on REMD within the Italian Society of Endocrinology, consisting of basic and clinical scientists, a document on the taxonomy of REMD has been produced.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This document has been designed to include mainly REMD manifesting or persisting into adulthood. The taxonomy of REMD of the adult comprises a total of 166 main disorders, 338 including all variants and subtypes, described into 11 tables.

CONCLUSIONS

This report provides a complete taxonomy to classify REMD of the adult. In the future, the creation of registries of rare endocrine diseases to collect data on cohorts of patients and the development of common and standardized diagnostic and therapeutic pathways for each rare endocrine disease is advisable. This will help planning and performing intervention studies in larger groups of patients to prove the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of a specific treatment.

Management of Turner syndrome in adult life and beyond

OBJECTIVE

To describe in practical terms the clinical management in adult life of patients with Turner syndrome.

MATERIAL & METHODS

Systematic review of the literature and practical issues. An evaluation of clinical trials, meta-analysis, case reports and reviews assessing the management of different conditions related to Turner syndrome was done using the following data sources: Medline, PubMed (from 1966 to July 2014) and the Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials Register, Embase (up to July 2014).

RESULTS

Extracted information is summarized here on karyotype, screening of malformations, malformations debuting in adult life, final height, treatments with growth hormone, cardiovascular risk, endocrino-metabolic and liver abnormalities, sensorineural disorders and osteoporosis and its treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This review provides recommendations for the management of adult patients with Turner syndrome and insight into the associated medical complaints. A link between karyotypes and clinical features suggests a novel hypothesis to explain the different phenotypes and clinical abnormalities of these patients.

Acne tarda and male-pattern baldness unmasking primary ovarian insufficiency: a case and review

A 30-year-old woman presented with recurrent acne lesions and progressing male-pattern baldness. Furthermore, she reported amenorrhea, weight loss, mucosal xerosis and dyspareunia since discontinuation of hormonal contraception 6 months earlier in order to conceive. Acne tarda and androgenetic alopecia of female pattern were diagnosed. Hormonal and immunologic serological and ultrasound examinations revealed an autoimmune hypergonadotropic primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) with no ovarian cysts but ovarian fibrosis with marked reduced follicle pool. Immediate ovarian stimulation and in vitro fertilization led to pregnancy and the patient gave birth to a healthy child. Though presenting with clinical findings similar to menopause, 50% of patients with POI exhibit varying and unpredictable ovarian function, and only 5-10% are able to accomplish pregnancy. Genetic disorders affect the X chromosome. In 14-30% of cases POI has been associated with autoimmunity. POI may occur after discontinuation of hormonal contraception, like in our case.

Malformation syndromes associated with disorders of sex development

When embryological development of the internal and/or external genitalia is disrupted, the patient presents with a disorder of sex development (DSD) in the neonatal period or sometime later in life. Some of these patients have other, nongenital malformations, which makes their overall management more complex than if they just had a DSD. This Review summarises these malformation syndromes and discusses the recent research into their aetiology. The genetic causes of these malformation syndromes, when they are known, will also be described. Many specific genetic mutations are now known in malformation syndromes with a defect in hormonal function. By contrast, the genetic causes remain unknown in many nonhormonal morphological anomalies that affect the genitalia.

Current controversies in turner syndrome: Genetic testing, assisted reproduction, and cardiovascular risks

Patients with Turner syndrome (TS) require close medical follow-up and management for cardiac abnormalities, growth and reproductive issues. This review summarizes current controversies in this condition, including: 1) the optimal genetic testing for Turner syndrome patients, particularly with respect to identification of Y chromosome material that may increase the patient's risk of gonadoblastoma and dysgerminoma, 2) which patients should be referred for bilateral gonadectomy and the recommended timing of such referral, 3) options for assisted reproduction in these patients and associated risks, 4) the increased risk of mortality associated with pregnancy in this population, and 5) how best to assess and monitor cardiovascular risks.

Primary ovarian insufficiency in the adolescent

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To raise awareness about the importance of early diagnosis of primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) in the adolescent.

RECENT FINDINGS

Menstrual cycle irregularity or amenorrhea in the adolescent has historically been treated with oral contraceptives or ignored, with no evaluation done to determine the cause. However, it is now becoming clear that the health consequences of menstrual irregularities differ depending on the cause, and evaluation to determine the cause of menstrual irregularity is warranted. Although POI is classically diagnosed when menstrual cycle irregularity is accompanied by high circulating levels of gonadotropins and low estradiol, anti-Mullerian hormone is emerging as a biomarker of increasing importance. When POI is diagnosed, further evaluation including karyotype, FMR1 premutation analysis, and 21-hydroxylase or adrenal antibody is warranted. Girls at high risk for the development of POI (e.g. because of planned cancer treatment) should be offered the option of oocyte or ovarian tissue cryopreservation.

SUMMARY

POI should be ruled out in adolescents with menstrual cycle irregularity. Early diagnosis of POI facilitates the individualization of therapy, as the health consequences of POI differ from those of other causes of menstrual cycle irregularity. In addition, recognition of premature oocyte depletion allows for the option of fertility preservation to be discussed when oocytes are still present.

Cognitive impairment and gray/white matter volume abnormalities in pediatric patients with Turner syndrome presenting with various karyotypes

AIM

To investigate the association between cognitive impairment and gray/white matter volume abnormalities in pediatric patients with Turner syndrome (TS) presenting with various karyotypes.

METHODS

In the present study, 21 pediatric patients with TS and the 45,X karyotype, 24 pediatric patients with TS and other karyotypes, and 20 normal healthy controls, underwent the Wechsler intelligence test, behavioral testing, and a 3.0 T magnetic resonance (MR) scan. Whole-brain high-resolution T1-weighted images were processed with SPM8 software and analyzed using voxel-based morphometry (VBM); differences in gray/white matter volume between the TS groups and healthy controls were compared using analysis of covariance.

RESULTS

Pediatric patients in both TS groups had significantly lower IQ scores compared to the normal controls (p<0.05). Furthermore, both TS groups scored significantly less than the normal controls in various composite tests of cognitive function, including verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two TS patient groups in terms of their scores for verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. However, they did display significant differences in the following tests: accuracy and reaction times in the executive control test, reaction times in the short-, middle-, and long-term attention test, and accuracy in the long-term attention test. Patients in the 45,X karyotype group displayed decreased gray matter volume in the bilateral cuneus, calcarine sulcus postcentral gyrus, right precuneus, superior parietal lobule, lingual gyrus, left precentral gyrus, and cingulate gyrus. However, gray matter volume was increased in the bilateral dorsal midbrain, orbital frontal gyrus, left insular lobe, superior temporal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, cerebellum, posterior insular lobe, right caudate nucleus, putamen, and temporal pole. Patients with TS with other karyotypes exhibited decreased gray matter volume in the left precuneus, cingulate gyrus, right postcentral gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, angular gyrus, and cuneus; contrastingly, gray matter volume increased in both the epencephals, left caudate nucleus, superior temporal gyrus, right insular lobe, and temporal pole. All volume differences were statistically significant when compared with normal controls [familywise error (FWE)-corrected p<0.05]. With regard to the two TS groups, gray matter volume in the left hippocampus and left caudate nucleus was significantly decreased in the 45,X karyotype group compared to patients with TS with other karyotypes (FWE-corrected p<0.05); conversely, gray matter volume in the right supramarginal gyrus was increased in the 45,X karyotype group (FWE-corrected p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Pediatric patients with TS display a lower level of intelligence compared to healthy controls, this is complicated by verbal and non-verbal cognitive impairment. The neuropathological basis of such cognitive deficiencies may be as a result of abnormalities in gray matter development.