Polycystic ovarian syndrome in adolescent girls

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a spectrum of disorders consisting of chronic oligo-anovulation, androgen excess, obesity, insulin resistance and polycystic ovaries. The diagnosis carries life-long implications with increased risk for infertility, endometrial hyperplasia/carcinoma, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Lack of well-defined diagnostic criteria makes identification of this common condition challenging. Because of the varying clinical presentation and manifestation of PCOS, adolescent and young adult woman can present to a variety of healthcare professionals including general practitioners, general paediatricians, adult physicians, gynaecologists, dermatologists or endocrinologists (paediatric and adult). Treatment of adolescent girls with PCOS includes weight reduction if associated with obesity, exercise and various pharmacological interventions. As many women with PCOS have the onset of symptoms during adolescence, it is important for paediatricians to be familiar with the disorder and be able to facilitate a management plan and consider treatments to ameliorate symptoms and reduce the risk of long-term sequelae. This review will focus on the diagnosis and current management of PCOS in adolescent girls.