Growth/Endocrine/Metabolic Flashcards
What is the most common cause of ambiguous genitalia in a newborn?
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
What is the inheritance pattern for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)?
Autosomal recessive
Name the hormones released by the adrenal gland normally?
- Cortisol
- Testosterone
- Aldosterone
What is the most common cause of CAH? - which enzyme is absent?
Absence of the enzyme 21-hydroxylase
What are the two sub-divisions of classical CAH?
- Salt-losing form
2. Simple-virilising form
What happens in congenital adrenal hyperplasia?
The adrenal glands are abnormally enlarged, and so produce excessive amounts of androgens (male steroid hormones) leading to abnormal sexual developments in females affected with the disease
How was the term ‘disorder of sexual development’ previously known?
Intersex conditions
What are the various forms of DSD? (5)
- 46, XX DSD
- 46, XY DSD
- Ovotesticular DSD
- 46, XX testicular DSD
- 46, XY complete gonadal dysgenesis
Why is reconstructive surgery in DSD now delayed, compared to years ago when it used to be performed shortly after birth?
As early gender assignment may not reflect the psychological development and gender identity of the child, so it is deferred
How does chromosomal sex determine the appearance of the genitalia?
Chromosomal sex prescribes gonadal sex, which in turn prescribes phenotypic sex. The gonad type determines whether the Mullerian or Wolffian ducts develop or regress.
How does an embryo with a Y chromosome develop ovaries?
The part of the Y chromosome which is sex-determining is on the short arm. If this area of the Y chromosome is missing the gonad develops into an ovary instead of testis.
What is the most common cause of ambiguous genitalia in the newborn?
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
After CAH, what is the second most common cause of ambiguous genitalia?
Mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MGD)
What does AMH stand for, and how can a deficiency of it cause inadequately virilised males?
AMH is anti-mullerian hormone and is critical for male differentiation of the genital ducts. AMH is produced by the sertoli cells of the testis and suppressive development of the Mullerian duct. If AMH is deficient, there will be persistent Mullerian duct syndrome.
When is it likely for phenotypic females with DSD to be diagnosed?
When presenting with primary amenorrhoea (females with 46, XY)