Long-Term Growth and Skeletal Effects of Early Growth Hormone Treatment in Turner Syndrome

Turner Syndrome

A syndrome of defective gonadal development in phenotypic women with a karyotype of sex chromosome monosomy (45,X or 45,XO), associated with the loss of a sex chromosome X or Y. Patients generally are of short stature with undifferentiated (streak) gonads, sexual infantilism (HYPOGONADISM), webbing of the neck, cubitus valgus, elevated GONADOTROPINS and decreased ESTRADIOL level in blood. Studies of Turner Syndrome and its variants have contributed significantly to the understanding of SEX DIFFERENTIATION. NOONAN SYNDROME bears similarity to this disorder; however, it also occurs in males, has normal karyotype, and is inherited as an autosomal dominant.

Noonan Syndrome

A multifaceted disorder characterized by short stature, webbed neck, ptosis, skeletal malformations, hypertelorism, hormonal imbalance, CRYPTORCHIDISM, multiple cardiac abnormalities (most commonly including PULMONARY VALVE STENOSIS), and some degree of MENTAL RETARDATION. The phenotype bears similarities to that of TURNER SYNDROME that occurs only in females and has its basis in a 45, X karyotype abnormality. However, Noonan syndrome occurs in both males and females with a normal sex chromosome constitution (46,XX and 46,XY). NS1 is due to mutations at chromosome location 12q24.1, in PTPN11, a gene encoding PROTEIN TYROSINE PHOSPHATASE, NON-RECEPTOR TYPE 11. LEOPARD SYNDROME, a disorder that has clinical features overlapping those of Noonan Syndrome, is also due to mutations in PTPN11. In addition, there is a syndrome called neurofibromatosis-Noonan syndrome. Both the PTPN11 and NF1 gene products are involved in the SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION pathway of Ras (RAS PROTEINS).

Gonadal Dysgenesis

A number of syndromes with defective gonadal developments such as streak gonads and dysgenetic testes. The spectrum of gonadal and sexual abnormalities is reflected in their varied sex chromosome (SEX CHROMOSOMES) constitution as shown by the karyotypes of 45,X monosomy (TURNER SYNDROME); 46,XX (GONADAL DYSGENESIS, 46XX); 46,XY (GONADAL DYSGENESIS, 46,XY); and sex chromosome MOSAICISM; (GONADAL DYSGENESIS, MIXED). Their phenotypes range from female, through ambiguous, to male. This concept includes gonadal agenesis.

Human Growth Hormone

A 191-amino acid polypeptide hormone secreted by the human adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR), also known as GH or somatotropin. Synthetic growth hormone, termed somatropin, has replaced the natural form in therapeutic usage such as treatment of dwarfism in children with growth hormone deficiency.

22q11 Deletion Syndrome

Condition with a variable constellation of phenotypes due to deletion polymorphisms at chromosome location 22q11. It encompasses several syndromes with overlapping abnormalities including the DIGEORGE SYNDROME, VELOCARDIOFACIAL SYNDROME, and CONOTRUNCAL AMOMALY FACE SYNDROME. In addition, variable developmental problems and schizoid features are also associated with this syndrome. (From BMC Med Genet. 2009 Feb 25;10:16) Not all deletions at 22q11 result in the 22q11deletion syndrome.