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.
BMI link to earlier puberty onset in boys confirmed
Longitudinal study findings support a relationship between body mass index and the timing of puberty in boys, with a link found between obesity and precocious gonadarche.
Collagenopathy may underlie some familial short stature cases without clear dysplasia
Collagenopathies could account for around one in 10 cases of familial short stature even when there are no obvious signs of dysplasia, say 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.
GH therapy can bring Noonan syndrome children’s height within population norms
A study of children with Noonan syndrome treated in clinical practice shows a good response to growth hormone treatment, with the majority achieving a height within population norms.
GnRHa increases adult height, reduces BMI for precocious puberty girls
A systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that girls with idiopathic central precious puberty who are treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue therapy may expect to have a higher final adult height and lower BMI than if they do not receive the treatment.
Bone growth biomarker may provide growth velocity snapshot
A single measurement of plasma levels of a fragment of type X collagen may give an instant picture of how fast a child is growing, say researchers.
Copy number variants enriched among GH-, IGF-1-insensitive patients
Rare copy number variants have been identified in a study of children who have growth hormone insensitivity or insulin-like growth factor-1 insensitivity, shedding light on the genetic basis of their conditions.
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.
The safety profile of growth hormone
Following the publication of the long-term mortality findings of the SAGhE consortium, we discuss the safety profile of growth hormone with consortium member Stefano Cianfarani.