Endocrinopathy risk highlighted among childhood brain tumour survivors
Around 70% of children who survive a brain tumour develop at least one form of endocrine dysfunction, suggests a long-term study of patients attending a hospital in Portugal.
Treatment advances translate to better congenital hyperinsulinism outcomes
Faster diagnosis and use of individualised treatments for congenital hyperinsulinism has led to major improvements in neurological and endocrine outcomes over time, say Finnish researchers.
Case study: Prader-Willi syndrome
A 6 years and 5-month-old girl with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) attends endocrine clinic with her mother. She was first seen by the endocrine team at 18 months old and the referral was made by a geneticist. Mum reports she has been obsessive and extremely challenging with her behaviour around food, and she is concerned about her child’s weight.
Global increase in childhood thyroid cancer implies overdiagnosis
Researchers have detected a global increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer among children and adolescents similar to that reported for the adult population, raising concerns that screening-related overdiagnosis may also be occurring in young people.
Rare causes of paediatric primary adrenal insufficiency characterised
Italian researchers report presenting characteristics and outcomes for children with primary adrenal insufficiency not caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Setmelanotide shows efficacy at phase 3 for POMC and LEPR deficiency obesity
The melanocortin 4 receptor agonist setmelanotide has significantly reduced hunger and resulted in weight loss in a phase 3 trial involving patients, including children, with pro-opiomelanocortin or leptin receptor deficiency obesity.
Neonatal screening required for prompt central congenital hypothyroidism detection
The diagnosis of central congenital hypothyroidism with or without multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies is frequently missed in children, even among those admitted to hospital, say Dutch researchers.
Vosoritide ‘effective’ for increasing growth in children with achondroplasia
The C-type natriuretic peptide analogue vosoritide significantly increases the growth rate of children with achondroplasia, indicate the results of a randomised, double-blind phase 3 study published in The Lancet.
Most brain MRIs may be unnecessary in isolated GHD diagnosis
Less than 10% of brain magnetic resonance imaging scans in children with isolated growth hormone deficiency reveal a pathological cause, say researchers.
Full SAGhE data indicate benign long-term rhGH safety profile
Receiving treatment with recombinant human growth hormone in childhood is unlikely to be associated with an increased risk for mortality in the long term, show the results of the full SAGhE cohort.