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Case Reports
. 2011 Jun;96(6):1610-22.
doi: 10.1210/jc.2011-0225.

Approach to the girl with early onset of pubic hair

Sharon E Oberfield  1 , Aviva B Sopher, Adrienne T Gerken
Affiliations
Case Reports

Approach to the girl with early onset of pubic hair

Sharon E Oberfield et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Jun.

Abstract

Premature pubarche, or the development of pubic hair before the age of 8 in girls or 9 in boys, is most commonly caused by premature adrenarche. Adrenarche is the maturation of the adrenal zona reticularis in both boys and girls, resulting in the development of pubic hair, axillary hair, and adult apocrine body odor. Although originally thought to be a benign variant of normal development, premature adrenarche has been associated with insulin resistance and the later development of metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome. Although further studies are needed to confirm these relationships, the case presented herein argues for periodic assessment of children at risk. Indeed, recognition of these associations may allow for early preventive measures.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Standardized growth curve for E.A.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Adrenal steroidogenesis. 17βHSD1, 17β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, type 1; 17βHSD2, 17β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, type 2; 17βHSD3, 17β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, type 3; 3βHSD, 3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; Arom, aromatase; b5, cytochrome b5; DOC, 11-deoxycorticosterone; Isom, isomerase; P450c11β, 11β-hydroxylase; P450c17, 17α-hydroxylase and 17,20 lyase; P450c18, 18-hydroxylase; P450c21, 21α-hydroxylase; P450scc, cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (or desmolase); POR, cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase; StAR, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein; SULT2A1, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfotransferase.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Proposed mechanism for the development of PCOS or MeS in patients with PA. [Adapted from M. E. Silfen et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 87:398–403 2002 (17). © The Endocrine Society.]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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