Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function in adolescent females with beta-thalassemia major.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in adolescent female patients with beta-thalassemia major.


METHODS
A prospective study of the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis function of 31 beta-thalassemia major females aged between 13 and 22 years and in 12 control females aged between 12 and 22 years. All were treated at Princess Rahma Teaching Hospital, Irbid, Northern Jordan between April 2001 and April 2003.


RESULTS
Of the 31 beta-thalassemia major females, 13 (41.9%) had delayed puberty. Hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis dysfunction was found in 15 patients (48.4%). Twelve patients (38.7%) had hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and 5 (16.1%) had ovarian failure. High levels of serum ferritin were significantly higher in patients with delayed puberty.


CONCLUSIONS
Pituitary and ovarian dysfunction are common problems in beta-thalassemia major patients. The main possible cause is iron overload. This stresses the need for intensive and regular use of chelation therapy to prevent damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.
Al-Rimawi
H S
HS
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Jallad
M F
MF
Amarin
Z O
ZO
Obeidat
B R
BR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011628:Puberty, Delayed / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*
D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone