Fröhlich's syndrome
| Adiposogenital dystrophy | |
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| Synonyms | Babinski-Fröhlich syndrome (commonly associated with slipped capital femoral epiphysis),Froelich's syndrome, Frölich's Syndrome , Hypothalamic Infantilism-Obesity , Launois-Cleret Syndrome , Sexual Infantilism |
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| Specialty | endocrinology |
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Adiposogenital dystrophy is a condition which may be caused by tertiary hypogonadism originating from decreased levels in GnRH. Low levels of GnRH has been associated with defects of the feeding centers of the hypothalamus, leading to an increased consumption of food and thus caloric intake.
It is characterized by:
It is usually associated with tumors of the hypothalamus, causing increased appetite and depressed secretion of gonadotropin. It seems to affect males mostly.
Many overweight children may appear to have the disorder because of the concurrence of obesity and retarded sexual development; these children have no endocrine disturbances, however, and they mature normally after delayed puberty.
Laboratory analysis of the urine from children with Froehlich syndrome typically reveals low levels of pituitary hormones, and that finding may suggest the presence of a lesion on the pituitary. Additional tests are needed before a definite diagnosis of Froehlich syndrome may be made.
Pituitary extracts may be administered to replace the missing hormones (hormonal replacement therapy) in patients with Froehlich syndrome. Tumors of the hypothalamus should be surgically removed if possible. Appetite may be very difficult to manage, although weight control depends on this.
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