What is Kalman's syndrome? Kalman's syndrome: symptoms, features of diagnosis and treatment

The "breakage" of one gene can lead to the development of very serious diseases, while curing them is completely impossible. One of such pathologies is Kalman's syndrome. This syndrome occurs mainly in men, although it is also sometimes found in female representatives.

General description of the disease

Kalman's syndrome is a hereditary pathology that is transmitted through an autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant, X-linked gene.

The disease is characterized by disorders of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. At the same time, the former produces an incorrectly producing factor. It, in turn, helps to reduce the production of gonadotropin in the pituitary gland. The normal functioning of the gonads becomes impossible.

Causes of pathology development

Kalman's syndrome is a genetic disease that can be provoked by anything. The main cause of the development of pathology is the wrong mix of male and female cells during conception. That is, one of the cells contained a "broken" gene, which gives a high probability of further manifestation of the disease in the child.

Naturally, external factors can influence the deterioration of the quality of the genetic core. The main one is the ecological situation. Long-term interaction with chemicals can also cause different mutations. Kalman's syndrome may manifest itself too clearly or be expressed in small deviations from the norm.

Symptomatic of the disease

The presented disease has specific signs, therefore it is easy to distinguish it from other pathologies. If a patient has Kalman's syndrome, the symptoms may be:

• Unfinished puberty. Sometimes it is almost completely absent. For example, in men there is a small volume of testicles - only 3 ml (in norm it should be 12 ml).
• Hyperplasticity and weak pigmentation of the scrotum.
• Noticeable underdevelopment of the penis and prostate gland.
• Distribution of adipose tissue, as in women.
• Complete or partial absence of secondary sexual characteristics. For example, men may have no hair on the body.
• Sexual passivity.
• Systemic malformations: wolf mouth, hare lip, Gothic sky.
• Inability to smell. At the same taste taste remains.

These signs can be expressed significantly or poorly. It all depends on the degree of disruption of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

Diagnostic Features

Kalman's syndrome (photos of patients presented on specialized medical topics show obvious deviations in the structure of the male body) is not a very common disease. However, special attention must be paid to its diagnosis. It provides for the implementation of such actions:

1. Check the main levels of hormones in the body: estradiol, testosterone, prolactin, somatotropin. The test is long and exponential. He spent at least a week.
2. An additional study that will help specialists distinguish the syndrome from the constitutional delay in sexual development.
3. Checking the sensitivity to odors. This is done very simply: the patient is given substances (soap, perfume) with a strong aroma. According to the results of the survey, the conclusion is made: a normal sense of smell or not.
4. Ultrasonography of kidneys and testicles.
5. MRI of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. In addition, during the examination by a tomograph, one should pay attention to any neoplasms in the head that can provoke the appearance of the above described symptoms.
6. Collecting a family anamnesis. Since the presented pathology is inherited, obtaining information about cases in the patient's family will make it possible to put the most accurate diagnosis.

Features of treatment

Since the pathology is genetic, you can not completely get rid of it. However, therapy is necessary. Immediately after the diagnosis is made, the patient is started to inject testosterone. The procedure is carried out for several months.

Thanks to such therapy, specialists can achieve improvement in the general well-being of the patient, increase of sexual desire. In addition, verilization is achieved. After that, the doctors continue the therapy aimed at restoring the possibility of developing mature spermatozoa. In this case, testosterone is no longer used, but gonadotropins.

Note that if a man has been diagnosed with "Kalman's syndrome", the treatment will have to be carried out for life. It will help maintain secondary sexual characteristics and restore a relatively normal life. However, if a patient with such a diagnosis decides to have children, he should definitely turn to a geneticist. The risk of a child with a similar pathology remains very high. In the rest - with a small amount of symptoms and proper therapy - the patient can lead a perfectly normal life.

As for prevention, it practically does not exist. Naturally, it is desirable to avoid those factors that can lead to a "breakage" of the gene. Be healthy!