Hirsutism congenital gingival hyperplasia
Overview
A rare disorder characterized by excessive growth of body hair and enlarged gums
Symptoms
* Progressive gum growth * Gum growing over teeth * Growth of excess hair * Mental retardation * Cranial deformities * Enlarged male breasts * Hyperplasia of gums * Malpositioned teeth * Excessive growth of body hair
Causes
Idiopathic hirsutism probably stems from a hereditary trait because the patient usually has a family history of the disorder. Causes of secondary hirsutism include endocrine abnormalities related to pituitary dysfunction (acromegaly or precocious puberty), adrenal dysfunction (Cushing’s disease, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, or Cushing’s syndrome), or ovarian lesions (such as polycystic ovary syndrome or ovarian neoplasm); prolactinoma; and iatrogenic factors (such as the use of minoxidil, androgenic steroids, testosterone, diazoxide, glucocorticoids, and hormonal contraceptives). Other kinds of hirsutism have been reported. (See Hypertrichosis.)
Treatment
* PCOS and idiopathic –Estrogen-predominant oral contraceptives decrease plasma androgens –Depo-Provera may also be used –Spironolactone works by competing for androgen receptors –Cimetidine has a side effect of decreasing testosterone and increasing estrogen levels –GnRH agonist to facilitate better function of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis * Drug-induced: Eliminate causative medication if possible and hirsutism may resolve spontaneously * Hyperprolactinemia: Bromocriptine (prolactin antagonist)
Resources
Hirsutism congenital gingival hyperplasia: Another name for Fibromatosis gingival - hypertrichosis