1
|
Aung Y, Kokotsis V, Yin KN, Banerjee K, Butler G, Dattani MT, Dimitri P, Dunkel L, Hughes C, McGuigan M, Korbonits M, Paltoglou G, Sakka S, Shah P, Storr HL, Willemsen RH, Howard SR. Key features of puberty onset and progression can help distinguish self-limited delayed puberty from congenital hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1226839. [PMID: 37701896 PMCID: PMC10493306 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1226839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Delayed puberty (DP) is a frequent concern for adolescents. The most common underlying aetiology is self-limited DP (SLDP). However, this can be difficult to differentiate from the more severe condition congenital hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (HH), especially on first presentation of an adolescent patient with DP. This study sought to elucidate phenotypic differences between the two diagnoses, in order to optimise patient management and pubertal development. Methods This was a study of a UK DP cohort managed 2015-2023, identified through the NIHR clinical research network. Patients were followed longitudinally until adulthood, with a definite diagnosis made: SLDP if they had spontaneously completed puberty by age 18 years; HH if they had not commenced (complete, cHH), or had commenced but not completed puberty (partial, pHH), by this stage. Phenotypic data pertaining to auxology, Tanner staging, biochemistry, bone age and hormonal treatment at presentation and during puberty were retrospectively analysed. Results 78 patients were included. 52 (66.7%) patients had SLDP and 26 (33.3%) patients had HH, comprising 17 (65.4%) pHH and 9 (34.6%) cHH patients. Probands were predominantly male (90.4%). Male SLDP patients presented with significantly lower height and weight standard deviation scores than HH patients (height p=0.004, weight p=0.021). 15.4% of SLDP compared to 38.5% of HH patients had classical associated features of HH (micropenis, cryptorchidism, anosmia, etc. p=0.023). 73.1% of patients with SLDP and 43.3% with HH had a family history of DP (p=0.007). Mean first recorded luteinizing hormone (LH) and inhibin B were lower in male patients with HH, particularly in cHH patients, but not discriminatory. There were no significant differences identified in blood concentrations of FSH, testosterone or AMH at presentation, or in bone age delay. Discussion Key clinical markers of auxology, associated signs including micropenis, and serum inhibin B may help distinguish between SLDP and HH in patients presenting with pubertal delay, and can be incorporated into clinical assessment to improve diagnostic accuracy for adolescents. However, the distinction between HH, particularly partial HH, and SLDP remains problematic. Further research into an integrated framework or scoring system would be useful in aiding clinician decision-making and optimization of treatment. .
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Aung
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL), London, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Royal London Children’s Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vasilis Kokotsis
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL), London, United Kingdom
| | - Kyla Ng Yin
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL), London, United Kingdom
| | - Kausik Banerjee
- Department of Paediatrics, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gary Butler
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology, University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Great Ormond Street (GOS) Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mehul T. Dattani
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology, University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Great Ormond Street (GOS) Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Dimitri
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Leo Dunkel
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL), London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Hughes
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Royal London Children’s Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael McGuigan
- Department of Paediatrics, Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust, Chester, United Kingdom
| | - Márta Korbonits
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL), London, United Kingdom
- Department of Endocrinology, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - George Paltoglou
- 2nd Department of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), “P. & A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Sophia Sakka
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Evelina Children’s Hospital, Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pratik Shah
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL), London, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Royal London Children’s Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Helen L. Storr
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL), London, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Royal London Children’s Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ruben H. Willemsen
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Royal London Children’s Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sasha R. Howard
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL), London, United Kingdom
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Royal London Children’s Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Delayed puberty, defined as the appearance of pubertal signs after the age of 14 years in males, usually affects psychosocial well-being. Patients and their parents show concern about genital development and stature. The condition is transient in most of the patients; nonetheless, the opportunity should not be missed to diagnose an underlying illness. AREAS COVERED The aetiologies of pubertal delay in males and their specific pharmacological therapies are discussed in this review. EXPERT OPINION High-quality evidence addressing the best pharmacological therapy approach for each aetiology of delayed puberty in males is scarce, and most of the current practice is based on small case series or unpublished experience. Male teenagers seeking attention for pubertal delay most probably benefit from medical treatment to avoid psychosocial distress. While watchful waiting is appropriate in 12- to 14-year-old boys when constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CGDP) is suspected, hormone replacement should not be delayed beyond the age of 14 years in order to avoid impairing height potential and peak bone mass. When primary or central hypogonadism is diagnosed, hormone replacement should be proposed by the age of 12 years provided that a functional central hypogonadism has been ruled out. Testosterone replacement regimens have been used for decades and are fairly standardised. Aromatase inhibitors have arisen as an interesting alternative for boy with CDGP and short stature. Gonadotrophin therapy seems more physiological in patients with central hypogonadism, but its relative efficacy and most adequate timing still need to be established.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo A Rey
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergadá" (CEDIE), CONICET - FEI - División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, C1425EFD Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, C1121ABG Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Partenope C, Galazzi E, Albanese A, Bellone S, Rabbone I, Persani L. Sex steroid priming in short stature children unresponsive to GH stimulation tests: Why, who, when and how. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1072271. [PMID: 36523598 PMCID: PMC9744763 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1072271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of experience, the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) remains challenging, especially in peripubertal children. Failure to respond to GH stimulation tests (GHSTs) is needed to confirm GHD, but long-standing controversies regarding the number of tests needed and the interpretation of GH peaks are still a matter of debate worldwide. Diagnostic workup is even more problematic in short children with slow growth and delayed sexual development: they often exhibit low GH peaks under GHST, which often normalize as puberty progresses. Consequently, this transient suboptimal response to GHST may result in GH overtreatment, carrying both health and economic concerns. Considering the complex and bound link between GH axis and sex steroids, the use of sex steroid priming prior to GHST might be helpful in peripubertal setting. However, its use is still controversial. There is no consensus regarding patient selection, timing, dose, and preparation of sex steroids. In this review, we aim to overview the use of sex steroid priming in clinical practice, highlighting the need to develop appropriate guidelines in order to overcome diagnostic pitfalls in peripubertal age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Partenope
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Health Science University of Piemonte Orientale, Ospedale Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy
- *Correspondence: Cristina Partenope,
| | - Elena Galazzi
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Assunta Albanese
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, St. George’s University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simonetta Bellone
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Health Science University of Piemonte Orientale, Ospedale Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy
| | - Ivana Rabbone
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Health Science University of Piemonte Orientale, Ospedale Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy
| | - Luca Persani
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|