Ovarian reserve and premature ovarian failure in girls and adolescents after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
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Date
2022
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Abstract
The increased survival of children and adolescents after Stem Cell Transplantation (SCT) has allowed us to gain a better understanding of the late effects that this procedure might have. Objective: to measure ovarian function and reserve after SCT. Patients and Method: A descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study of girls and adolescents with SCT between 1999 and 2011. External gynecologic examination, hormone tests, and abdominal gynecologic ultrasound were performed, observing pubertal development pre-SCT. The following data from the clinical record were recorded: baseline pathology, type of conditioning, use of radiotherapy in conditioning, age at the time of SCT, and history of acute or chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Hormonal tests included folliclestimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, prolactin (PRL), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine, total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH). Statistical analysis included the chi-square or Fisher's Exact test with a p-value < 0.05. Results: 41 patients were evaluated. The median age at the time of SCT was 6.8 years (1.5-14.1) and the median age at evaluation was 14.8 years (range: 4-25.4 years). 93% of the transplants were in patients with oncological disease and with myeloablative conditioning regimens. All patients presented decreased ovarian reserve, and 72% showed Premature Ovarian Failure (POF). Conclusions: All patients had decreased ovarian reserve and most of them had a high prevalence of POF. Before SCT, a gynecological evaluation and subsequent follow-up for hormone monitoring and initiation of hormone replacement are essential.
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Premature Ovarian Failure, Stem Cell Transplantation, Late Effects, Fertility, Pediatric