Late Diagnosis of Turner Syndrome in Adulthood; a Case Study from the Endocrinology-Diabetology Nutrition Department of the National Hospital of Pikine Senegal

Introduction: Turner syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterised by the presence of one X chromosome and the absence of part or all of an X or Y chromosome and patients may experience delayed puberty and infertility. Our study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic delay in our practice and analyze the impact of this diagnostic delay on the effectiveness of patient management. Patients and Methods: Turner syndrome patients were identified from the endocrinology-diabetology nutrition department Database We examined the records of patients in whom the karyotype analysis favoured Turner syndrome. Results: We have selected 5 patients’ records of female patients with Turner syndrome. The mean age was 25, ranging from 19 to 29 years. Primary amenorrhea and characteristic dysmorphic features were observed in all patients. One married patient, who sought consultation for infertility, expressed a desire for pregnancy. Short stature was identified in 3 patients. Primary hypothyroidism and hypertension were respectively found in 1 and 2 patients. Gonadal dysgenesis was noted in 100% of cases. Karyotype analysis revealed monosomy X in 2 patients and mosaic patterns in others. All patients received estrogen-progestin treatment. Antihypertensive therapy was initiated for 2 patients. One patient is on L-thyroxine. In the short term, treatment led to the onset of menstruation after the initial months. Evaluation of treatment efficacy on internal genital organs is yet to be performed. Due to uncertain benefits at this age, growth hormone therapy was not considered for our patients. We provided counseling on assisted reproductive options for couples desiring to conceive. In our study, all patients were placed on estrogen-progestin therapy, and the response appeared favorable. Conclusion: In our practice, the diagnosis of Turner syndrome occurs very late in adulthood, at an age when growth hormone treatment is nearly ineffective. Treatment typically revolves around estrogen-progestin therapy, along with managing other comorbidities such as hypertension and primary hypothyroidism.