Froelich's syndrome

Froelich's Syndrome is a rare endocrine disorder characterized by obesity and delayed or absent puberty. It is also known as Adiposogenital Dystrophy.

Overview

Froelich's Syndrome was first described by the German physician Alfred Froelich in the early 20th century. The syndrome is characterized by a combination of obesity and hypogonadism, a condition in which the body produces little or no sex hormones. This results in delayed or absent puberty. Other symptoms may include growth retardation, small hands and feet, and a high-pitched voice.

Causes

The exact cause of Froelich's Syndrome is unknown, but it is believed to be due to a dysfunction in the hypothalamus, a small region of the brain that controls the pituitary gland. This dysfunction can result in a decrease in the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which in turn leads to a decrease in the production of sex hormones.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Froelich's Syndrome is based on the presence of the characteristic symptoms and may be confirmed by blood tests showing low levels of sex hormones. Imaging studies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to check for abnormalities in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.

Treatment

Treatment for Froelich's Syndrome typically involves hormone replacement therapy to compensate for the lack of sex hormones. This can help to stimulate puberty and promote normal sexual development. In some cases, surgery may be required to correct abnormalities in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.

Prognosis

The prognosis for individuals with Froelich's Syndrome varies depending on the severity of the condition and the effectiveness of treatment. With appropriate treatment, most individuals can lead normal lives.

See also

• Hypothalamus
• Pituitary gland
• Endocrine disorder
• Hypogonadism
• Obesity

NIH genetic and rare disease info

• NIH info on Froelich's syndrome

Froelich's syndrome is a rare disease.

Froelich's syndrome Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.

Translate to: East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski