Pattern of spontaneous and post-stimulation FSH and LH in male adolescents with thalassemia
Maggio, C.; Giuffrè, M.; Cuccia, L.; Borsellino, Z.; Capra, M.; Liotta, A.
Minerva Pediatrica 50(5): 147-150
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-4946 PMID: 9842210 Document Number: 489430
In the last years thalassemic patients gained a good improvement in prognosis and life style. However, short stature and hypogonadism are still frequent endocrine problems in this population. In a group of eleven thalassemic males (14-18 years old), the spontaneous nocturnal endocrine patterns of LH and FSH and plasma gonadotropins in response to GnRH were studied. The profiles were analyzed using a computer program (PULSAR) to determine the secretion pattern (number and amplitude of peaks) and the area under the curve above the secretion baseline (AUC). The endocrine status was compared with liver fibrosis, iron overload and transfusional regimen. A regular and homogeneous transfusion and chelation management often does not prevent pubertal failure; it is related with the degree of liver fibrosis and often it is due to hypothalamic and/or pituitary dysfunction. Spontaneous gonadotropin profiles can be useful to evaluate hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in order to start the correct treatment.