Clinical features of Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Haüser syndrome diagnosed at under 16 years old: results from a questionnaire survey conducted on all institutions of pediatric surgery and pediatric urology in Japan

Abstract

Abstract

Purpose

Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Häuser syndrome (MRKH) usually presents with primary amenorrhea after puberty. The present study clarified the clinical features of MRKH diagnosed at under 16 years old.

Methods

We conducted a questionnaire survey to determine the status of MRKH in Japan. Twenty-one MRKH patients were enrolled, and the patient background and clinical features were analyzed.

Results

The median age at the diagnosis was 2.6 [1.0–9.0] years. Three patients (14.3%) were diagnosed with type I MRKH, while 18 (85.7%) were diagnosed with type II. The associated anomalies included (some cases overlapped): anorectal malformation (ARM) (n = 13, 72.2%), renal malformation (n = 12, 66.7%), vertebral malformation (n = 11, 61.1%), esophageal atresia (n = 5, 27.8%), and cardiac malformation (n = 4, 22.2%). The comparison of patients with and without ARM revealed that patients with ARM were significantly younger than those without ARM at the time of the diagnosis (1.5 [1–2.6] years vs. 9.1 [8.2–11.7] years, p < 0.05). Associated ARM was the most frequent reason for the diagnosis of MRKH (n = 10, 47.6%).

Conclusions

MRKH patients with some associated anomalies, especially ARM, were frequently diagnosed in preoperative imaging examinations or radical operation for ARM. Pediatric surgeons should pay close attention to female patients with ARM to prevent errors in the diagnosis of MRKH.

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