A 14-year-old girl with premature ovarian insufficiency but with a positive pregnancy test

Robbert N H Touwslager, C Michel Zwaan, Boudewijn Bakker, Eef G W M Lentjes, Leendert H J Looijenga, Hanneke M van Santen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for premature ovarian insufficiency, especially after treatment with alkylating agents. The objective of this report is to highlight a case in which this phenomenon caused a false-positive pregnancy test.

CASE PRESENTATION: A workup was performed in a 14-year-old girl with a positive pregnancy test. She was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma of the left adrenal gland at the age of 4 years. She received extensive treatment, including alkylating agents, and had been diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency. An LH/hCG suppression test was performed using high dose 17 bèta-estradiol: hCG levels normalized.

CONCLUSIONS: The pregnancy test was false-positive due to production of low amounts of hCG by the pituitary gland as a result of high LH concentrations following premature ovarian insufficiency. It may be helpful to perform the LH/hCG suppression test to prove pituitary origin of the hCG overproduction.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)482-485
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume37
Issue number5
Early online date15 Apr 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 May 2024

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/complications
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Luteinizing Hormone/blood
  • Neuroblastoma/complications
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Tests
  • Primary Ovarian Insufficiency/diagnosis
  • Prognosis

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