Pseudocyesis as a cause of abdomen enlargement in a female adolescent

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Pseudocyesis is a rare condition in the pediatric population characterized by all signs and symptoms of pregnancy except the existence of a fetus [1]. In some patients it is associated with organic etiology, in others with mental disorders, also occurs in those without disorders in their medical history. Pseudocyesis occurs in both sexes, but more frequently in women. An effective treatment is a combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy with antidepressants and antipsychotics [2]. We present a 15,9-year old girl with pseudocyesis as a cause of abdomen enlargement, who comes from an ordinary family with a negative history of psychiatric illness. The organic etiology of her condition was excluded, and therefore she was treated with antidepressants which contributed to the resolution of her case.</jats:p>

Biopsychosocial view to pseudocyesis: A narrative review

“…A deficiency of dopamine is often observed in pseudocyesis; dopamine inhibits the gonadotropin-releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin levels ( 13 , 32 , 36 ). Studies revealed that catecholamine and dopamine deficiency are responsible for hyperprolactinemia ( 8 , 10 , 37 ). Elevated prolactin levels lead to galactorrhea or lactation, the persistence of corpus luteum, and suppression of Follicle-stimulating hormone and LH secretion, ultimately resulting in amenorrhea ( 13 , 14 , 25 , 29 , 35 , 36 , 38 ).…”

“…In different contexts, some synonyms for pseudocyesis (a few of which are no longer in common use) have included pseudopregnancy, imaginary pregnancy, simulated pregnancy, phantom pregnancy, hysterical pregnancy, and spurious pregnancy ( 8 - 10 ). With pseudocyesis, physiological manifestations of pregnancy occur, including irregular menstruation (e.g., amenorrhea or hypo-menorrhea), abdominal distention, the subjective sensing of fetal movements, changes in breast size or shape, milk secretion, darkening of areolar tissue, galactorrhea, weight gain, nausea and vomiting, and changes in the uterus and cervix ( 6 , 7 , 11 - 13 ).…”

The role of sociocultural factors in rare medical conditions: The first case report of pseudocyesis in an Ethiopian woman with major depressive disorder

“… 18 Pseudocyesis commonly occurs in females who are in the reproductive age group of 20–44, 17 mainly in those in their late 30s. However, there are some reports that the problem has been observed in female teenagers 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 and, surprisingly, in preteen 24 and 6‐year‐old girls. 14 , 25 …”

“…18 Pseudocyesis commonly occurs in females who are in the reproductive age group of 20-44, 17 mainly in those in their late 30s. However, there are some reports that the problem has been observed in female teenagers [18][19][20][21][22][23] and, surprisingly, in preteen 24 and 6-year-old girls. 14,25 The case has also been observed in males, [26][27][28][29] although most of the cases in males would not be categorized under pseudocyesis based on the latest standards.…”

Pseudocyesis is rare but it is a concern in remote areas based on sociocultural factors: A case report

“…It has been reported that pseudocyesis commonly occur in females who are in the reproductive age group between 20 and 44 (16), mainly the late 30s. However, there are some reports that the problem was observed in female teenagers (15,(17)(18)(19)(20)(21) and, surprisingly in a pre-teen (22) and six years old girls (14,23). The case was also observed in a in males (24)(25)(26)(27), though most of the cases in male would not be categorized under pseudocyesis based on the latest standards (5).…”