Fröhlich's syndrome

adiposogenital dystrophy

 [ad″ĭ-po-so-jen´ĭ-t'l dis´trah-fe]

increased body fat (obesity) accompanied by underdevelopment of the genitalia and altered secondary sex characteristics, caused by damage to certain parts of the hypothalamus, with a decrease in the secretion of gonadotropic hormones from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Treatment depends on the primary cause of the condition, usually a tumor or infection involving the hypothalamus. Called also adiposogenital syndrome and Fröhlich's syndrome.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

Fröhlich's syndrome

The combination of obesity and under-development of the GONADS in children associated with a tumour affecting the PITUITARY GLAND. (Alfred Frolich, 1871–1953, Austrian pharmacologist and neurologist).

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005