ACTH-dependent precocious pseudopuberty in an infant with DAX1 gene mutation.
Eur J Pediatr
; 168(1): 65-9, 2009 Jan.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18414894
ABSTRACT
DAX1 gene (Xp21) expression is involved in the development of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal and adrenal axes, and acts as a negative regulator of steroidogenesis. Mutations of this gene determine adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. We report the case of a 9-month-old boy referred for the study of macrogenitosomia and pubic hair development. He had presented acute adrenal crises in the neonatal period and, later, a clinical picture of peripheral precocious puberty. A mutation in the DAX1 gene was found (Trp291Arg) and a diagnosis of AHC was made. Replacement doses of hydrocortisone (HC) (10 mg/m2/day) failed to produce a feedback inhibition of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and testosterone levels remained high. Testosterone and ACTH values normalized after HC was progressively increased to 18 mg/m2/day. In conclusion, peripheral precocious puberty in patients with DAX1 gene mutations appears to be secondary to the stimulus exerted by ACTH on melanocortin receptors in Leydig cells and to the overexpression of testicular steroidogenesis activators by the loss of transcriptional repression.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Proteínas Repressoras
/
Mutação Puntual
/
Receptores do Ácido Retinoico
/
Hormônio Adrenocorticotrópico
/
Proteínas de Ligação a DNA
/
Doenças Hipotalâmicas
Limite:
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Eur J Pediatr
Ano de publicação:
2009
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Espanha