0000000000732099
AUTHOR
Cuccia L.
Spontaneous and after stimulation FSH and LH patterns in thalassemic male adolescents
Background. In the last years thalassemic patients gained a good improvement in prognosis and life style. However, short stature and hypogonadism are still frequent endocrine problems in this population. Methods. In a group of eleven thalassemic males (14-18 years old), the spontaneous nocturnal endocrine patterns of LH and FSH and plasma gonadotropins in response to GnRH were studied. The profiles were analyzed using a computer program (PULSAR) to determine the secretion pattern (number and amplitude of peaks) and the area under the curve above the secretion baseline (AUC). The endocrine status was compared with liver fibrosis, iron overload and transfusional regimen. Results. A regular an…
Effects of thalassemia major on bone mineral density in late adolescence
Management of thalassemia major has shown substantial clinical and prognostic improvement, suggesting the need for major attention to quality of life. We studied bone health in 25 patients (13 males, 12 females; 15-23 years old) affected by β-thalassemia major. In all patients, bone mineral density (BMD), biochemical markers of bone and calcium metabolism (calcium, phosphate, magnesium, alkaline phosphatase, urinary calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25OH-D], 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2,D], parathyroid hormone [PTH]), hematological parameters and gonadal steroids status were assessed and related to each other and to auxological parameters (chronological, statural and bone ages, height, we…