Clinical assessment and serum hormonal profile in prepubertal hypertrichosis

Twenty-two prepubertal girls with hypertrichosis were studied and compared to 10 prepubertal normal girls. Hypertrichosis was assessed according to a score that considers the amount and the distribution of vellus hair in andr ogen- and non-androgen-sensitive areas. Serum androgen profile and free and rogen index (FAI) were determined in both groups. The hypertrichosis score was higher in patients than in the normal girls. Testosterone levels and FA I were increased in patients when compared to control; 3 alpha -androstaned iol glucuronide levels above 2 SD from the control mean were found in 10 gi rls and all hormonal parameters falling in the normal range were found in 4 girls. The new score designed to assess the degree of hypertrichosis was u seful to differentiate between normal and pathological hair growth. Althoug h most of the gi rls with prepubertal hypertrichosis showed an increased an drogen bio-availability, a slight increase in peripheral 5 alpha -reductase activity and a completely normal androgen profile was also associated with a pathological hair growth. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.