Volume 16.3
Mar 2019
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In Memoriam:
Paul A. Kelly, PhD (1943-2018)
Vincent Goffin, PhD
Worth Remembering:
Ing. Milan Zaoral, DrSc,
The Discoverer of Desmopressin (DDAVP) (5.5.1926 - 4.1.2011)
Jan Janda, MD
For Debate: When is Selenium Deficiency Suspected and When is Its Measurement Indicated?
Masanobu Kawai, MD, PhD
Abstract
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element involved in numerous biological processes including the antioxidant defense system and thyroid hormone metabolism. Since the content of Se in the body is highly dependent on that in the environment, Se deficiency rarely occurs in individuals living in areas rich in Se; with the exception of preterm infants and patients nourished exclusively with parenteral and enteral nutrition (PN and EN) without Se supplementation. Severe Se deficiency causes increases in T4 levels associated with decreases in T3 levels due to the blockage of the conversion of T4 to T3.
Ref: Ped. Endocrinol. Rev. 2019;16(3):307-310
doi: 10.17458/per.vol16.2019.k.fd.seleniumdeficiency
Key words: Selenium, Selenium deficiency, Thyroid hormone, Deiodinase
Genetic Tumor Syndromes with Endocrine Involvement: A Compendium and an Update
Yevgeniya Kushchayeva, MD, PhD, Marissa Lightbourne, MD, MPH, Maya Lodish, MD, Constantine A. Stratakis, MD, D(Med)Sc
Abstract
Many hereditary and sporadic tumor and other syndromes are associated with endocrine functional and or structural abnormalities. The last few decades have yielded advancements in the field with improvements in diagnostic testing, screening guidelines and novel treatment options. In general, endocrine functional abnormalities and neoplasms share an early age of onset. There remains room for improvement as limited literature exists regarding clinical course, prognosis, and screening for earlier cancer detection. This should allow for more timely intervention, and possibly improved outcomes. The aim of this article is to summarize the current knowledge about prevalence, clinical course, and prognosis of functional and structural pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, and gonadal abnormalities in patients with 17 known syndromic, mostly tumor-predisposing, diseases; wherever possible, we review screening recommendations.
Ref: Ped. Endocrinol. Rev. 2019;16(3):311-334
doi: 10.17458/per.vol16.2019.kll.genetictumor
Key words: Syndromic diseases, Endocrine abnormalities, Screening
Apparent Mineralocorticoid Excess in the Pediatric Population: Report of a Novel Pathogenic Variant of the 11β-HSD2 Gene and Systematic Review of the Literature
Adam Adamidis, MD, Sena Cantas-Orsdemir, MD, Anna Tsirka, MD, Mary-Alice Abbott, MD PhD, Paul Visintainer, PhD, Ksenia Tonyushkina, MD
Abstract
Apparent mineralocorticoid excess (AME) is a rare inherited disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the 11β-HSD2 gene resulting in a deficiency of the 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) enzyme catalyzing the conversion of cortisol to its inactive metabolite, cortisone. Impaired cortisol metabolism results in a mineralocorticoid excess-like state presenting as low renin, low aldosterone hypertension (HTN) and hypokalemia. Typically, AME is diagnosed in early childhood. Medical treatment to control HTN and hypokalemia often is only partially successful. Herein, we systematically review previously reported AME cases in the pediatric population, focusing on presentation, genetic basis, treatment and outcomes. We demonstrate a negative correlation between the ratio of urinary cortisol to cortisone metabolites, and the age of diagnosis (p=0.0051). We also report a novel causative variant of the 11β-HSD2 gene and propose an explanation for failure of the mineralocorticoid receptor antogonist, spironolactone, to control hypertension and hypokalemia in a subgroup of patients.
Ref: Ped. Endocrinol. Rev. 2019;16(3):335-358
doi: 10.17458/per.vol16.2019.act.mineralocorticoid
Key words: Low renin hypertension, Apparent mineralocorticoid excess, Hypokalemia, 11β-HSD2 gene
Enhanced Understanding of the Natural History of Pre-Type 1 Diabetes: Fundamental to Prevention
Brittany S. Bruggeman, MD, Desmond A. Schatz, MD
Abstract
Due to well-designed studies of birth cohorts and at-risk individuals, our understanding of the natural history of pre- and early type 1 diabetes (T1D) has advanced considerably over the past decade. Genetic risk scores can predict with increasing precision and accuracy who is at risk for T1D, and early staging based upon islet autoantibody status allows for improved mechanistic and natural history studies as well as improved clinical trial design. A growing number of children are being diagnosed with islet autoimmunity prior to the onset of symptoms, and confusion remains surrounding their proper management. These patients should have access to appropriate counseling and should be referred to a center that can provide information regarding current prevention trials. In the future, a successful prevention strategy for T1D would justify population-based screening for all children.
Ref: Ped. Endocrinol. Rev. 2019;16(3):359-368
doi: 10.17458/per.vol16.2019.bs.pretype1diabetes
Key words: Type 1 diabetes, Natural history, Staging, Prevention, Autoantibodies, Risk
To Freeze or Not to Freeze?
An Update on Fertility Preservation in Females with Turner Syndrome
MJ Schleedoorn, MD, van Alfen-van der Velden, AAEM, MD, PhD, DDM Braat, MD, PhD, R Peek, PhD, K Fleischer, MD, PhD
Abstract
Introduction
Infertility is a major concern for females with Turner syndrome (TS), regardless of their age. While fertility preservation is now routinely offered to girls and young women with cancer, there are currently no recommendations on fertility preservation in girls and young women with TS who generally face an even higher risk for infertility. Despite the lack of international guidelines, preservation procedures have been performed experimentally in females with TS.
Methods
A systematic literature search based on the PRISMA-P methodology for systematic reviews was performed in order to collect all published data on fertility preservation options in females with TS between January 1980 and April 2018. A total number of 67 records were included in this review. The records were screened for information regarding cryopreservation of mature oocytes and ovarian tissue in females with TS. Two ongoing trials on fertility preservation in young females with TS were also included.
Results
Cryopreservation of oocytes or ovarian tissue has been performed experimentally in >150 girls and adolescents with TS over the last 16 years. The efficacy of fertility preservation options in females with TS is still unknown due to the lack of follow-up data.
Conclusion
The efficacy of fertility preservation procedures in females with TS is still unknown. Future studies with focus on efficacy, safety and long-term follow-up are desperately needed.
Ref: Ped. Endocrinol. Rev. 2019;16(3):369-382
doi: 10.17458/per.vol16.2019.svb.tofreezeornot
Key words: Turner syndrome – Fertility preservation - Premature ovarian insufficiency – Ovarian tissue cryopreservation – Cryopreservation of oocytes
Meeting Report: The Role of Beliefs and Perception on Body Size. Proceedings of the 26th Aschauer Soiree, Held at Aschauhof, Altenhof, Germany, May 26th, 2018
Michael Hermanussen1, MD, PhD, Aman B Pulungan2, MD, PhD, Christiane Scheffler3, PhD, Rebekka Mumm3, Alan D Rogol4, MD, PhD, Raluca Pop5, MD, James M. Swanson, MD, PhD, Edmund Sonuga-Barke, PhD, FBA, FMedSci, Anna Reimann, Anna Siniarska-Wolanska, PhD, Martin Musalek, Barry Bogin, PhD, Jesper L Boldsen, PhD, P.G, (Vincent) Tassenaar, PhD, Detlef Groth, PhD, Yuk-Chien Liu, Christof Meigen, Björn Quanjer, Kristina Thompson, MSc, BaÅŸak Koca Özer, PhD, Ewa Bryl, Paula Mamrot, Tomasz Hanć, PhD, Slawomir Koziel, PhD, Jani Söderhäll, Aleksandra Gomula, PhD, Sudip Datta Banik, PhD, Mathieu Roelants, PhD, Gudrun Veldre, PhD, Leslie Sue Lieberman, PhD, Lynnette Leidy Sievert, PhD
Abstract
Thirty-one scientists met at Aschauhof, Germany to discuss the role of beliefs and self-perception on body size. In view of apparent growth stimulatory effects of dominance within the social group that is observed in social mammals, they discussed various aspects of competitive growth strategies and growth adjustments. Presentations included new data from Indonesia, a cohort-based prospective study from Merida, Yucatan, and evidence from recent meta-analyses and patterns of growth in the socially deprived. The effects of stress experienced during pregnancy and adverse childhood events were discussed, as well as obesity in school children, with emphasis on problems when using z-scores in extremely obese children. Aspects were presented on body image in African-American women, and body perception and the disappointments of menopause in view of feelings of attractiveness in different populations. Secular trends in height were presented, including short views on so called ‘racial types’ vs bio-plasticity, and historic data on early-life nutritional status and later-life socioeconomic outcomes during the Dutch potato famine. New tools for describing body proportions in patients with variable degrees of phocomelia were presented along with electronic growth charts. Bio-statisticians discussed the influence of randomness, community and network structures, and presented novel tools and methods for analyzing social network data.
Ref: Ped. Endocrinol. Rev. 2019;16(3):383-400
doi: 10.17458/per.vol16.2019.hps.mr.26achauersoiree
Key words: Body size, Social group, Social network, Body perception, Competitive growth strategies, Growth adjustment
Meeting Report: The Equality Project on Endocrine Complications in Thalassemia: Selected Highlights from the First Turkish Congress, Antalya (10th-11th December 2018)
Duran Canatan, MD, Vincenzo De Sanctis, MD, Joan-Lluis Vives Corrons, MD, Suheyla Gorar, MD, Doga Turkkahraman, MD, Riza Taner Baran, MD, Erdal Kurtoglu, MD, Vedat Aslan, MD, Funda Tayfun Kupesiz, MD, Zehra Diyar Tamburaci Uslu, MD, Zekiye Ozdemir, MD, Ozlem Erinekci, MD
Abstract
Major difficulties reported by endocrinologists /pediatricians/ hematologists in the care of thalassemic patients with endocrine complications were: lack of facilities, correct interpretation of tests, unfamiliarity with medical treatment and the cost of diagnostics and therapeutics. Therefore, there is a felt need to educate and train more endocrinologists/pediatricians/hematologists in this field in order to optimise growth and prevent endocrine complications. To achieve this goal, in 2015, a project called Equality was submitted by three countries (Turkey, Spain and Italy) and approved by the European Union (EU) with the aim to train doctors and nurses, taking care of youth and young adults TM patients, in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of endocrine disorders. The selected highlights of the First Turkish Congress held in Antalya (10th-11th December 2018) are reported. Overall the conference provided a wide coverage of conventional treatment of thalassemias and endocrine complications in patients with β-thalassemia major. Regular surveillance, early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up in a multi-disciplinary specialized setting are recommended.
Ref: Ped. Endocrinol. Rev. 2019;16(3):401-411
doi: 10.17458/per.vol16.2019.csc.mr.thalassemia
Key words: β-thalassemia major, Growth, Endocrine complications, Heart and endocrine dysfunctions, Treatment
Meeting Report: Report on the 9th International Congress of the Growth Hormone Research and IGF Societies, September 14-17, 2018, in Seattle, Washington, USA
Charles T. Roberts, Jr, PhD, Kevin CJ Yuen, MD
Ref: Ped. Endocrinol. Rev. 2019;16(3):412-415
doi: 10.17458/per.vol16.2019.ry.mr.GHIGFsocieties
Key words: Growth hormone, Insulin-like growth factors, Pituitary
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