Pubertal evaluation of adolescent boys with beta-thalassemia major and delayed puberty.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the hormonal status of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in adolescent males with beta-thalassemia major.


METHODS
Controlled clinical study.


METHODS
Tertiary referral teaching hospital.


METHODS
Thirty-three adolescent males with beta-thalassemia major.


METHODS
Basal LH, FSH, and T were examined. All individuals received 100 microg GnRH analogue. Four hours later the hormone levels were retested. Patients with beta-thalassemia and low T levels received hCG.


METHODS
The preintervention and postintervention levels of FSH, LH, and T were examined.


RESULTS
Of the 33 beta-thalassemia major adolescents, 17 had delayed puberty. The difference in basal LH, FSH, and T levels between delayed and normal puberty beta-thalassemia groups were statistically significant. These levels were significantly lower compared with the constitutional delayed puberty group and become even more significant after GnRH analogue administration. The T levels in the beta-thalassemia group were significantly lower than in the control group. After hCG administration, the T levels remained significantly lower in the delayed-puberty beta-thalassemia compared to the normal-puberty beta-thalassemia group.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite recent therapeutic advances in the management of beta-thalassemia major, the risk of secondary endocrine dysfunction remains high. Hypogonadism is one of the most frequent endocrine complications.
Al-Rimawi
Hala Saleh
HS
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Jallad
Mohammad Fayez
MF
Amarin
Zouhair Odeh
ZO
Al Sakaan
Rula
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D011628:Puberty, Delayed / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones