A 16-year-old adolescent female whose body mass index (BMI) is at the 90th percentile reports irregular periods. The primary care pediatric nurse practitioner notes widespread acne on her face and back and an abnormal distribution of facial hair. The nurse practitioner will evaluate her further based on a suspicion of which diagnosis?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described suggest the presence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrine disorder in adolescent females that is characterized by irregular or absent menstrual periods, acne, hirsutism (excessive hair growth), and obesity. Dyslipidemia, hypothyroidism, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are possible comorbidities associated with PCOS, but they would not present with the same symptoms as PCOS itself. Therefore, option D is the best choice.

A 16-Year-Old Adolescent Female Whose Body Mass Index (BMI) Is