Type 1 diabetes risk alleles linked to late-infancy growth
The human leukocyte antigen polymorphisms that increase the risk of type 1 diabetes are linked to growth and insulin-like growth factor-I levels during infancy, say researchers.
Cardiological tests indicated in melanocortin pathway mutations linked to reduced cardiac mass
Children with monogenic obesity linked to mutations in the leptin-melanocortin pathway have lower cardiac muscle mass than other obese children, as well as greater tissue storage of sodium, research suggests.
Scoliosis risk in PWS independent of growth hormone treatment
A long-term follow-up study of children with Prader-Willi syndrome has found no evidence to indicate that growth hormone therapy affects the risk or severity of scoliosis in this population.
Knowledge gaps make teens with endocrine disorders unready for transition to adult clinic
Researchers find that teenagers with endocrine disorders often have gaps in their knowledge of their condition and how to manage it, making them poorly prepared for transition to adult clinic.
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.