Work

Pregnancy in a Woman With Congenital Generalized Lipodystrophy

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: In Brief BACKGROUND: Congenital generalized lipodystrophy is a rare disorder characterized by scant adipose tissue, profound leptin deficiency, and severe insulin resistance, resulting in multiple metabolic derangements, including hyperandrogenism, anovulation, and impaired fecundity. CASE: A young woman with congenital generalized lipodystrophy receiving leptin therapy experienced menarche, conceived spontaneously, and delivered a liveborn male neonate. CONCLUSION: Adipose tissue is important to normal female reproductive function. Leptin in particular appears to play a key role in adipose-mediated regulation of fertility. Leptin replacement in a woman with congenital generalized lipodystrophy established regular gonadotropin secretion, restored ovulation, and ultimately enabled pregnancy, confirming leptin's critical role in reproduction.

Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology

DOI: 10.1097/aog.0b013e31822cecf7

Authors: Marcy Maguire, Andrea Lungu, Phillip Gorden, Elaine Cochran, Pamela Stratton

Institutions: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Language: English

Topic: Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones

Subfield: Reproductive Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institutes of Health