Recurrent maternal virilization during pregnancy associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a case report and review of the literature.
Maternal virilization in pregnancy is associated, in most benign cases, with luteoma of pregnancy and hyperreactio luteinalis. Only a few reports relate this phenomenon to hyperthecosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). A case of recurrent maternal virilization during two consecutive pregnancies in a patient with PCOS is presented. In both pregnancies, the deepening of her voice, facial hirsutism and scalp hair loss began at the end of the first trimester and regressed 3-4 months post-partum. The patient underwent ovarian venous catheterization, and androgen secretion from both ovaries was found to be markedly high but similar, therefore ruling out an ovarian androgen-secreting tumour. Reviewing the English literature of similar cases, we found reports of only seven cases of maternal virilization during pregnancy associated with PCOS. Here, we present a case of recurrent maternal virilization in pregnancy associated with PCOS.
Ben-Chetrit
A
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toronto Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
Greenblatt
E M
EM
D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D012008:Recurrence; D014770:Virilism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology
D000728:Androgens