We report the features of a new syndrome of aromatase deficiency due to molecular defects in the CYP19 (P450arom) gene in a 46,XX female. At birth, the patient presented with a nonadrenal form of female pseudohermaphrodism. At 17 months of age, laparotomy revealed normal female internal genital structures; the histological appearance of the ovaries was normal. FSH concentrations were markedly elevated at 9.4 ng/mL LER 869, and estrone and estradiol levels were undetectable (< 37 pmol/L). By 14 yr of age, she had failed to exhibit breast development. The clitoris had enlarged to 4 x 2 cm, and pubic hair was Tanner stage IV. The plasma concentration of testosterone was elevated at 3294 pmol/L, as was androstenedione at 9951 pmol/L. Plasma estradiol levels were below 37 pmol/L. ACTH and dexamethasone tests indicated a nonadrenal source of testosterone and androstenedione. Plasma gonadotropin levels were in the castrate range. Pelvic sonography and magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple 4- to 6-cm ovarian cysts bilaterally. Despite increased circulating androgens and clitoral growth, the bone age was 10 yr at chronologic age 14 2/12 yr. Estrogen replacement therapy resulted in a growth spurt, breast development, menarche, suppression of gonadotropin levels, and resolution of the cysts. The clinical findings suggested the diagnosis of P450arom deficiency. Analyses of genomic DNA from ovarian fibroblasts demonstrated two single base changes in the coding region of the P450arom gene, one at 1303 basepairs (C-T), R435C, and the other at 1310 basepairs (G-A), C437Y, in exon 10. The molecular genetic studies indicate that the patient is a compound heterozygote for these mutations. Expression of these mutations showed that the R435C mutation had 1.1% the activity of the wild-type P450arom enzyme, whereas the C437Y mutation demonstrated no activity. The cardinal features of this syndrome are a consequence of P450arom deficiency: 1) the fetal masculinization in this syndrome can be ascribed to defective placental conversion of C19 steroids to estrogens, leading to exposure of the female fetus to excessive amounts of testosterone; 2) the pubertal failure, mild virilization, multicystic ovaries, and hyperstimulation of the ovaries by FSH and LH are the result of the inability of the ovary to aromatize testosterone and androstenedione to estrogens; and 3) the striking delay in bone age at 14 2/12 yr supports the notion that estrogens, in contrast to androgens, are the major sex steroid driving skeletal maturation during puberty. Familial P450arom deficiency, although rare, may be more common than previously suspected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The authors have indicated they have no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose.A DVANCES in understanding of genetic control of sexual determination and differentiation, improvements in diagnostic testing and surgical genital repair, and the persistent controversies inherent to clinical management were all compelling factors that led to the organization of an international consensus conference. The goals were to acknowledge and discuss the more controversial issues in intersex management, provide management guidelines for intersex patients, and identify and prioritize questions that need additional investigation. This is a summary statement. NOMENCLATURE AND DEFINITIONSAdvances in molecular genetic causes of abnormal sexual development and heightened awareness of the ethical and patient-advocacy issues mandate reexamination of existing nomenclature for patients with intersex. 1 Terminology such as "pseudohermaphroditism" is controversial, potentially pejorative to patients, 2 and inherently confusing. Therefore, the term "disorders of sex development" (DSD) is proposed to indicate congenital conditions with atypical development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomic sex.Additional rationale for new classification is the need for modern categorization to integrate the modern molecular genetic aspects, to maximize precision when applying definitions and diagnostic labels, 3 and to meet the need for psychologically sensitive yet descriptive medical terminology. Nomenclature should be flexible enough to incorporate new information, robust enough to maintain a consistent framework, use descriptive terms, reflect genetic etiology, accommodate phenotypic variation spectrum, and be useful for clinicians, scientists, patients, and families. Hence, we propose a new classification (see "Consensus Statement on Management of Intersex Disorders" 4 in this month's issue of Pediatrics Electronic Edition).Three traditionally conceptualized domains of psychosexual development are gender identity (one's self-representation [ie, male or female]), gender role (sexually dimorphic behaviors within the general population, such as toy preferences, aggression, and spatial ability), and sexual orientation (direction[s] of erotic interest). Gender dissatisfaction denotes unhappiness with assigned sex and may www.pediatrics.org/cgi/

Cross sectional and longitudinal studies of plasma FSH and LH in 58 patients, age 2 days of 20 yr, with the syndrome of gonadal dysgenesis show a diphasic pattern of gonadotropin secretion. The mean basal plasma FSH level is 43 plus or minus 7 (SE) ng/ml (LER-869) in patients from 2 days to 4 yr, which is strikingly elevated. Thereafter, a decline in plasma FSH to a mean level of 4 plus or minus 0.7 (SE) ng/ml occurs between 4 and 10 yr, followed by a rise after 10 yr to 61 plus or minus 4 (SE) ng/ml. The pattern of LH (LER-960) secretion is qualitatively similar to that of FSH, although quantitatively the values for LH are 1/3 to 1/10 those for FSH. The similarity of pattern of gonadotropin secretion observed between patients with gonadal dysgenesis and normal children suggests that gonadal function does not play a decisive role in the pattern of gonadotropin secretion from infancy through adolescence, but exercises striking effects on the quantity of gonadotropin secreted.

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