Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Special Diagnostic and Therapeutic Considerations for Children
March 2015
in “
Pediatric Dermatology
”
TLDR Early diagnosis and treatment of PCOS in young people is important to prevent long-term health problems.
The document from 2015 reviews the difficulties in diagnosing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in children and adolescents, due to symptom overlap with normal puberty and the lack of universally accepted diagnostic criteria for this age group. It emphasizes the importance of early intervention to prevent long-term health issues associated with PCOS, such as obesity, insulin resistance, infertility, endometrial cancer, and cardiovascular events. The prevalence of PCOS in adolescents is estimated to be between 3% and 26%, and the condition is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The Rotterdam criteria, which require two of three clinical features (oligomenorrhea, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries) for diagnosis, are not always applicable in young patients. The document suggests making a provisional diagnosis in cases where PCOS is suspected but cannot be confirmed, to allow for early treatment and monitoring, with a focus on lifestyle modifications and psychological support.
