Clinical Assessment and Serum Hormonal Profile in Prepubertal Hypertrichosis

Abstract

Twenty-two prepubertal girls with hypertrichosis were studied and compared to 10 prepubertal normal girls. Hypertrichosis was assessed according to a score that considers the amount and the distribution of vellus hair in androgen- and non-androgen-sensitive areas. Serum androgen profile and free androgen index (FAI) were determined in both groups. The hypertrichosis score was higher in patients than in the normal girls. Testosterone levels and FAI were increased in patients when compared to control; 3α-androstanediol glucuronide levels above 2 SD from the control mean were found in 10 girls and all hormonal parameters falling in the normal range were found in 4 girls. The new score designed to assess the degree of hypertrichosis was useful to differentiate between normal and pathological hair growth. Although most of the girls with prepubertal hypertrichosis showed an increased androgen bio-availability, a slight increase in peripheral 5α-reductase activity and a completely normal androgen profile was also associated with a pathological hair growth.

Hormonal profile and androgen receptor study in prepubertal girls with hypertrichosis

“…Gryngarten et al observed increased serum testosterone levels and FAI in a group of prepubertal girls with hypertricosis compared to controls. In addition, they observed a slight increase in 3α-androstanediol glucuronide concentrations in approximately half of their girls with hypertrichosis [13]. …”

“…The patients and control girls underwent a careful physical examination performed by a single pediatric endocrinologist (MIH), to determine their hypertrichosis score according to Gryngarten et al [13]. As indicated by this author, a score above 7 was considered positive for hypertrichosis.…”

“…In addition, the investigation of androgen metabolism has not shown significant differences between girls with hypertrichosis and controls [12,13]. …”

A rational approach to the diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome during adolescence

“…Hypertrichosis is a frequent finding in prepubertal girls, and differs from hirsutism in the quality of the hair, and in its anatomic distribution in androgen and non-androgen-dependent sensitive areas. A study performed in Latin American girls suggests that hypertrichosis may be secondary to a slight increase in total testosterone, and an increase in peripheral 5α-reductase activity (21).…”