Pregnancy in a woman with congenital generalized lipodystrophy: leptin's vital role in reproduction.

BACKGROUND

Congenital generalized lipodystrophy is a rare disorder characterized by scant adipose tissue, profound leptin deficiency, and severe insulin resistance, resulting in multiple metabolic derangements, including hyperandrogenism, anovulation, and impaired fecundity.

CASE: A young woman with congenital generalized lipodystrophy receiving leptin therapy experienced menarche, conceived spontaneously, and delivered a liveborn male neonate.

CONCLUSION

Adipose tissue is important to normal female reproductive function. Leptin in particular appears to play a key role in adipose-mediated regulation of fertility.