IMPAIRED ANDROGEN METABOLISM: A MAJOR CAUSE OF UNDER VIRILIZATION IN MALE CHILDREN
*Nasir A. M. Al Jurayyan and Sharifah D. A. Al Issa.
ABSTRACT
Background: Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, and anabolic steroid. It plays a key role in the development of the male reproductive organ. Design and Setting: A retrospective hospital based study was conducted at King Khaled University Hospital (KKUH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the period January 1989 and June 2016. Material and Method: During the period under review all patients with abnormal androgen metabolism were retrospectively reviewed. Medical records were reviewed for age, clinical characteristic, family history and results of all laboratory and radiological investigations. Result: During the period under review; 36 patients were evaluated for undervirilization. Variable causes were noted with androgen insensitivity (44.4%) and 5 alpha reductase (27.8%) were among the commonest. Gonadotrophin deficiency was found in (11.1%). While testosterone biosynthesis impairment in six (16.7%) patients. Conclusion: A diversity of causes can lead to androgen impairment of which androgen insensitivity and 5 alpha reductase deficiency were among the commonest. Appropriate investigations and, hence, diagnosis are needed for proper management.
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