Study of cutaneous manifestations of polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most frequently encountered endocrine disorders that occurs in as many as 4 to 10% of women of reproductive age group. It presents with a series of skin changes including acne, hirsutism, seborrhea, androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and acanthosis nigricans. Aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and frequency of different cutaneous manifestations in PCOS patients and to correlate them with the degree of hormonal abnormalities.Methods: A total 100 patients with features of PCOS who presented to department of dermatology, gynecology (January 2018-December 2019) with cutaneous manifestations were recorded and diagnosis of PCOS was made using Rotterdam’s criteria. Pregnant women and diagnosed cases of any other endocrine disorder were excluded. Hirsutism was assessed using Ferriman-Gallwey score and AGA according to Ludwig’s classification. Serum hormonal profile including FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone (free), DHEAS, TSH, FBS, fasting insulin were done. Insulin resistance was determined by calculating HOMA-IR score.Results: Among cutaneous manifestations of PCOS, hirsutism (85%) was the most common finding followed by acne (73%), seborrhea (50%), AGA (36%), acanthosis nigricans (29%) and acrochordons (9%). The most common hormonal abnormality was insulin resistance in 53% patients, followed by raised free testosterone in 19% and serum prolactin in 18% patients. A statistically significant association was present between AGA and insulin resistance, hirsutism and raised prolactin levels, seborrhea and raised body mass index (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Dermatological manifestations of PCOS play a significant role in making the diagnosis and constitute a substantial portion of the symptoms experienced by women with this syndrome.

Vitamin B12 Status of Mothers of Children with Infantile Tremor Syndrome.

Retrospective chart review of 15 patients with infantile tremor syndrome in which mothers had their serum vitamin B12 measured, showed low (<200 pg/mL) serum vitamin B12 in 9 and low-normal (<200-350 pg/mL) in 6. Of the 9 mothers who had undergone complete blood counts, anemia was present in 6 and macrocytosis in 3. Vitamin B12 deficiency appears to be common in mothers of infants with infantile tremor syndrome.

Antinuclear antibody-negative systemic lupus erythematosus: revisited.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic multisystem disorder characterized by the presence of distinctive

Intralesional corticosteroid induced perilesional and perilymphatic hypopigmentation.

Intralesional corticosteroid administration is a commonly used therapeutic modality in dermatology. Perilesional streaky depigmentation and/or atrophy is a distinct, though rare adverse effect resulting from lymphatic uptake of corticosteroid crystals. The pathogenesis and its self-limiting clinical course are discussed.

Atopy and alopecia areata in North Indians.

The study was undertaken with the aim of evaluating the effect of associated atopy on severity and age at onset of alopecia areata in north Indians. Presence of atopy was elicited by detailed history, examination and intracutaneous tests. Chi square test was carried out to evaluate statistical significance. One hundred patients (76 males and 24 females) with alopecia areata were evaluated. Historical evidence of atopy was present in 50 including patients alone (23), patients and first degree relatives (11) and first degree relatives alone (16). Intracutaneous tests were positive in 23 out of 50 patients tested randomly. There was a trend towards increasing frequency of severe alopecia as evidence of atopy became stronger e.g. both patient and first degree relatives with atopy or positive intracutaneous test but the results did not attain statistical significance. Similarly the age at onset and duration of alopecia areata was not significantly related to the presence of atopy. It is concluded that in north Indians with alopecia areata, the presence of atopy is not significantly associated with severe alopecia or onset at younger age.

Acrodermatitis enteropathica in a full-term breast-fed infant.

Acrodermatitis enteropathica which is a manifestation of zinc deficiency, is rarely seen in breast-fed infants. A child with typical acral rash, zinc deficiency and low breast milk zinc levels is described. The importance of awareness of this entity in breast-fed infants along with differential diagnosis is being emphasized.