Journal Article
Medical Care of Girls with Turner Syndrome: Where are We Lacking?

Medical Care of Girls with Turner Syndrome: Where are We Lacking?

JournalEndocrine Practice
PublisherAmerican Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
ISSN1530-891X (Print)
1934-2403 (Online)
SubjectHealth Services, Medical Sciences and Endocrinology
IssueVolume 17, Number 5 / September-October 2011
Pages747-752
DOI10.4158/EP11059.OR
Online DateThursday, March 31, 2011


Authors
Zeina M. Nabhan, MD, MS1, Erica A. Eugster, MD1

1Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the medical care of a large cohort of girls with Turner syndrome with a focus on changes in management since establishment of international consensus guidelines in 2007.

Methods: We reviewed medical records of patients followed up for Turner syndrome between 2000 and 2010.

Results: A total of 128 girls aged 13.2 ± 0.5 years were identified. Average age at diagnosis was 4.1 ± 5.1 years. Overall, medical assessments performed included a hearing test in 56%, thyroid screening in 95%, renal ultrasonography in 100%, and echocardiography in 100%. Before 2007, none of the patients had screening performed for celiac disease, dyslipidemia, or liver dysfunction, and none had routine electrocardiography or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Since 2007, 63% were screened for celiac disease, 54% for liver abnormalities, and 38% for dyslipidemia. Electrocardiography was performed in 23%, while cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 39%. Although conjugated equine oral estrogen was the main mode of estrogen replacement, a significant increase was noted in the use of transdermal estrogen during the past 2 years compared with that observed in the earlier interval (78% vs 10%, respectively).

Conclusions: Although changes in medical practice have occurred since establishment of the international Turner syndrome guidelines, screening for associated comorbidities was deficient in greater than 50% of the patients in our study. This is the first study evaluating medical care in a large cohort of pediatric patients with Turner syndrome, and our findings emphasize the need for continual education of all physicians involved in the care of this population.

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