Health problems in Turner syndrome

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although cardiovascular malformations are well-recognized congenital anomalies in Turner syndrome (TS), other clinical features and a great variety of dysmorphic signs can also be observed. There are few studies about different medical problems in pre-selected groups of patients with Turner syndrome. Therefore, in this study we aimed to assess the prevalence of some medical problems in Turner syndrome.

METHODS: This was a case series from April to October 2005. We studied 40 patients with TS who attended the Endocrine and Metabolic Research Center. Audiometry, echocardiography, ultrasonography of kidneys and urinary tracts, thyroid function tests, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile as well as anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were assessed in all patients and collected data were analyzed by SPSS version 10.

RESULTS: Of the 40 subjects 62.5% (n = 25) had cardiac anomalies, 20% (n = 8) had high blood pressure, about 60% (n = 24) suffered from hearing loss and 15% (n = 6) suffered from duplication or dilatation of urinary collecting system. The relative frequency of hypothyroidism, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia was 25% (n = 10), 30% (n = 12) and 32.5% (n = 13), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Medical problems are common in TS patients and the routine screening of their health conditions should be performed at the time of diagnosis and at regular intervals.

KEY WORDS: Turner syndrome, health problems, hypertension, heart disease.