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Fifteen-minute consultation: Approach to the adolescent presenting with hirsutism
  1. Alexandra Selina Cross1,
  2. Manar Moustafa2,
  3. Charlotte Jane Elder1,3
  1. 1 Paediatric Endocrinology, Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
  2. 2 Paediatric Dermatology, Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
  3. 3 Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Charlotte Jane Elder, Academic Unit of Child Health, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK; C.J.Elder{at}sheffield.ac.uk

Abstract

Hirsutism, unwanted terminal hair growth in androgen-dependent areas, is a common presentation to general paediatricians, dermatologists and endocrinologists. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is the most common cause but can be challenging to diagnose in young people due to the significant overlap of features with the healthy adolescent population. There are other rare, but important, causes to consider such as non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia and androgen-secreting tumours. Hirsutism carries a significant psychological burden for those living with it. This 15 min consultation piece describes the causes of hirsutism, introduces a novel assessment tool and suggests an approach to investigations and management, including signposting to psychological support.

  • Adolescent Health
  • Dermatology
  • Endocrinology

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2022-324465

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    Footnotes

    • Twitter @charlottejelder

    • Contributors ASC designed, drafted and revised all aspects of the work, approved the final version for publishing and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work. CJE conceptualised, designed and revised all aspects of the work, approved the final version for publishing and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the study. MM conceptualised and revised the work, particularly regarding cosmetic management of hirsutism, approved the final version for publishing and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the study.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Commissioned; externally peer reviewed.