Pubertal Jinekomastili Ergenlerde Serum Vitamin D Düzeyi Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although an imbalance between the proliferative and antiproliferative hormones is thought to be the cause of pubertal gynecomastia, the exact physiopathology remains unclear. Vitamin D plays an important role in the normal development and proper functioning of the mammary gland in puberty. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of vitamin D deficiency in the development of pubertal gynecomastia. METHOD: This study was performed in the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Hacettepe University Ihsan Dogramaci Children's Hospital, between October 2013 and March 2014. 50 adolescents with pubertal gynecomastia and 54 healthy controls between the ages 11 to 17 were included. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Mean vitamin D level was 14.03± 6.38 (5.0-32.5) ng/mL in the pubertal gynecomastia group and 15.19± 6.49 (5.0-33.2) ng/mL in the control group (p=0.361). According to the vitamin D status classification while 20% of the pubertal gynecomastia group were found to be sufficienct, 66% were deficient and 14% were insufficient. These ratios were respectively 16.7%, 53.7% and 29.6% in the control group (p=0.158). CONCLUSION: Although the difference between the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of adolescents with pubetal gynecomastia and healthy adolescents was not statistically significant; the incidence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was very high in the pubertal gynecomastia group. When the histological properties and pathophysiological mechanisms of gynecomastia are considered, it might be assumed that an interruption in the vitamin D signal pathway or in the interaction of vitamin D with its receptor might be contributing factors in the development of gynecomastia. Further studies are needed for the clarification of vitamin D's effect on the development of gynecomastia.