Fertility counseling and preservation: considerations for the pediatric endocrinologist

Infertility is a distressing consequence of numerous pediatric medical conditions and treatments. The field of pediatric fertility preservation has expanded rapidly over the past decade, and clinical guidelines emphasize the importance of discussing infertility risk and fertility preservation options with patients and families in a timely manner. Understanding the various mechanisms and presentations of fertility issues across diagnoses is imperative to provide counseling to patients and families, and identify individuals who may benefit from fertility preservation. The goals of this manuscript are to outline current fertility preservation options in pediatrics, review populations at-risk for infertility that are seen in pediatric endocrinology, and discuss other important issues related to fertility preservation including ethical considerations.