Inhibin B and AMH for Diagnosis of Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism in Boys Under 1 Year of Age: A Case-control Study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: CONTEXT: Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) in infant boys is a rare disorder that can manifest as micropenis and/or cryptorchidism. Mini-puberty is considered a window of opportunity for CHH diagnosis and treatment. The lack of testosterone (T) elevation during this period is the gold standard for CHH diagnosis, but hormonal evaluation is not always available at this time. OBJECTIVES: The aim was to compare inhibin B (INHB), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), T, LH, and FSH between infant boys (1 to 365 days) with micropenis and/or cryptorchidism due to isolated CHH (iCHH), CHH as part of combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD), or of idiopathic origin (controls) and to determine discriminating cutoffs for CHH diagnosis based on sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp). METHODS: This multicenter study from 7 University Hospitals in France included 138 boys aged 0 to 12 months (58 with iCHH, including 28 with a positive molecular diagnosis, 32 with CPHD, and 48 controls). Four periods of interest were studied: between 1 to 4 days, 15 to 65 days (early mini-puberty, corresponding to the T peak), 66 to 179 days (late mini-puberty), and 180 to 365 days (post mini-puberty). RESULTS: Out of mini-puberty, the best-discriminating hormones were INHB between 1 to 4 days (Se/Sp 100%/75% at 150 pg/mL and 89%/100% at 85 pg/mL) and INHB and AMH after 180 days (INHB: Se/Sp 100%/100% at 100 pg/mL; AMH: Se/Sp 100%/92% at 600 pmol/L, and 75%/100% at 370 pmol/L). INHB and/or AMH discriminating performances were good (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ≥ 0.95) across all 4 periods. CONCLUSION: Inhibin B and/or AMH can be used to diagnose CHH in boys < 1 year of age.
Authors: Tifenn Gueguen, Laetitia Martinerie, Sarah Castets, Vanessa Menut, Carine Villanueva, Anne Sophie Lambert, Kevin Perge, Natacha Bouhours-Nouet, Lucie Levaillant, Tristan Avril, Dominique Simon, Marc de Kerdanet, Najiba Lahlou, Sabine Baron, Rachel Reynaud, Marc Nicolino, Claire Bouvattier, Regis Coutant
Institutions: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d'Angers, Université d'Angers, Université Paris Cité, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Robert-Debré, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Université Paris-Saclay, Bicêtre Hospital, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes
Language: English
Subfield: Reproductive Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,750
OpenAlex ID: W4409229141
