Credits

• Section Writer: Dr. Om J Lakhani
• Section Editor: Dr. Om J Lakhani

Q. Why is timing of hyperandrogenism important for female fetus ?

• Less than 12 weeks- clitoromegaly and posterior labial fusion
• More than 12 weeks- clitoral hypertrophy only

Q. Give the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to gestational hyperandrogenism ?

Q. What is the role of Perecutenous umbilical cord sampling ?

• This can be done in case of leutoma
• This will do two thing
  • Karyotype – if it is a male fetus there is no problem
  • Androgen levels in umbilical cord- more level would lead to more virilization
• However this procedure is done at 20 weeks and by that time virlization would have already occurred

Q. What is the importance of umbilical cord androgen in female fetus ?

• High umbilical cord androgens are necessary for female fetus virilization

Q. What is an alternative for early diagnosis in fetus ?

• non invasive prenatal testing can be used
• This tests for cell free DNA material of fetus present in maternal blood using PCR
• This can be used as early as 5-6 weeks of intrauterine life