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Critical appraisal of growth retardation and pubertal disturbances in thalassemia
Author(s) -
Chatterjee Ratna,
Bajoria Rekha
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05589.x
Subject(s) - endocrine system , thalassemia , medicine , chelation therapy , growth hormone , growth retardation , fertility , intensive care medicine , pediatrics , scope (computer science) , pregnancy , endocrinology , hormone , biology , population , environmental health , genetics , programming language , computer science
Growth and pubertal disturbances are the commonest endocrinopathies in homozygous thalassemia, accounting for significant morbidity in 70–80% children and adolescents globally. This review focuses on the pathophysiology of the endocrinopathy from a historical perspective and altered natural history induced by better care due to transfusion and chelation therapy. We have also discussed clinical features, diagnosis, and management strategies of growth retardation, sexual infantilism, pubertal aberrations, and scope of growth hormone, sex steroids, and other endocrine therapies. The article also emphasizes current and future strategies for screening, monitoring of growth and pubertal disturbances, and early intervention for the restoration of fertility potential and bone mass in the affected individuals.