An obese 14-year-old adolescent female presents with oligomenorrhea since menarche 2 years ago, acne, and hirsutism. Ultrasound shows multiple small follicles in both ovaries. FSH is normal, LH is elevated (LH:FSH ratio ~2.5), testosterone mildly elevated. Which scoring system quantifies the degree of hirsutism in this patient?
- A Prader scale
- B Tanner staging
- C Ferriman-Gallwey score ✓
- D Rotterdam criteria
Explanation
The Ferriman-Gallwey (F-G) score quantifies hirsutism by assessing terminal hair growth in 9 androgen-sensitive body areas (upper lip, chin, chest, upper abdomen, lower abdomen, upper back, lower back, upper arms, thighs) each scored 0–4; a total score ≥8 (or ≥4 in Asian women, where the threshold is lower) defines hirsutism. This patient has PCOS (Rotterdam criteria requires 2 of 3: oligo/anovulation, hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovaries on USG). Rotterdam criteria are diagnostic criteria, not a scoring system for hirsutism. Prader scale grades external genitalia virilization (used in CAH). Tanner staging assesses pubertal development.
Reference: Ghai Essential Pediatrics, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.