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I M A A van Roessel Department of Pediatric Neuro-oncology, Princess Máxima Center, Heidelberglaan, CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center, Lundlaan, EA Utrecht, The Netherlands

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J E Gorter Department of Pediatric Neuro-oncology, Princess Máxima Center, Heidelberglaan, CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center, Lundlaan, EA Utrecht, The Netherlands

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B Bakker Department of Pediatric Neuro-oncology, Princess Máxima Center, Heidelberglaan, CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center, Lundlaan, EA Utrecht, The Netherlands

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M M van den Heuvel-Eibrink Princess Máxima Center, Heidelberglaan, CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center, Lundlaan, EA Utrecht, The Netherlands

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M H Lequin Department of Radiology, Princess Máxima Center, Heidelberglaan, CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
Department of Radiology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

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J van der Lugt Department of Pediatric Neuro-oncology, Princess Máxima Center, Heidelberglaan, CS Utrecht, The Netherlands

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L Meijer Department of Pediatric Neuro-oncology, Princess Máxima Center, Heidelberglaan, CS Utrecht, The Netherlands

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A Y N Schouten-van Meeteren Department of Pediatric Neuro-oncology, Princess Máxima Center, Heidelberglaan, CS Utrecht, The Netherlands

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H M van Santen Department of Pediatric Neuro-oncology, Princess Máxima Center, Heidelberglaan, CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center, Lundlaan, EA Utrecht, The Netherlands

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Objective

Children with a supratentorial midline low-grade glioma (LGG) may be at risk for impaired bone health due to hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, obesity, exposure to multiple treatment modalities, and/or decreased mobility. The presence of impaired bone health and/or its severity in this population has been understudied. We aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors for bone problems in children with supratentorial midline LGG.

Materials and methods

A retrospective study was performed in children with supratentorial midline (suprasellar or thalamic) LGG between 1 January 2003 and 1 January 2022, visiting the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology. Impaired bone health was defined as the presence of vertebral fractures and/or very low bone mineral density (BMD).

Results

In total, 161 children were included, with a median age at tumor diagnosis of 4.7 years (range: 0.1–17.9) and a median follow-up of 6.1 years (range: 0.1–19.9). Five patients (3.1%) had vertebral fractures. In 99 patients, BMD was assessed either by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (n = 12) or Bone Health Index (n = 95); 34 patients (34.3%) had a low BMD (≤ −2.0). Impaired visual capacity was associated with bone problems in multivariable analysis (OR: 6.63, 95% CI: 1.83–24.00, P = 0.004).

Conclusion

In this retrospective evaluation, decreased BMD was prevalent in 34.3% of children with supratentorial midline LGG. For the risk of developing bone problems, visual capacity seems highly relevant. Surveillance of bone health must be an aspect of awareness in the care and follow-up of children with a supratentorial midline LGG.

Significance statement

Patients with supratentorial midline LGG may encounter various risk factors for impaired bone health. Bone problems in survivors of childhood supratentorial midline LGG are, however, understudied. This is the first paper to address the prevalence of bone problems in this specific patient population, revealing visual problems as an important risk factor. Diencephalic syndrome historyand/or weight problems associated with hypothalamic dysfunction were related to bone problems in univariate analyses. The results of this study can be used in the development of guidelines to adequately screen and treat these patients to subsequently minimizing bone problems as one of the endocrine complications.

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Theodoros Karampitsakos Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ATTIKON University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, ARETAIEION University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

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Fotini Kanouta Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ALEXANDRA University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, ARETAIEION University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

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Christos Chatzakis Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IPPOKRATEIO General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Aristotle, University of Thessaloniki, Athens, Greece

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Vassilios Bakoulas Athens, Greece

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Alexandros Gryparis Department of Speech and Language Therapy, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, ARETAIEION University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

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Petros Drakakis Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ATTIKON University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

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Djuro Macut Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Diseases of Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, ARETAIEION University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

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George Mastorakos Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, ARETAIEION University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

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Introduction

To investigate whether synthetic (s) glucocorticoids (GCs) administered between the 24th and the 34th gestational weeks in pre-term labor might precipitate labor, studies on sGCs administration were reviewed. The physiology of endogenous glucocorticoid-related increase in fetal–maternal circulation and its association with labor, followed by a scoping review of studies on exogenous sGCs administered for fetal lung maturation and the timing of labor, were included.

Materials and methods

The methodology of systematic reviews was followed. MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched until October 2023, for original studies investigating the administration of sGCs in pregnancies risking pre-term labor. Duplicates were removed, and 1867 abstracts were excluded as irrelevant. Six controlled and four non-controlled studies were included. The index group consisted of 6001 subjects and 7691 controls in the former, while in the latter, the index group consisted of 2069 subjects.

Results

In three out of the six controlled studies, gestational age at labor was significantly lower in sGC-treated women than in controls, while in three studies, gestational age at labor was lower in sGC-treated women than in controls, with a trend toward statistical significance. In one study, gestational age at labor was significantly lower in controls than in sGC-treated women. In the non-controlled studies, the majority of women delivered less than 1 week from the day of sGC administration.

Conclusions

In this scoping review, studies lack homogeneity. However, in the controlled studies, a pattern of earlier labor emerges among sGC-treated pregnant women. The use of multiple courses of antenatal sGCs appears to be associated with precipitated labor. Their use should be carefully weighed. Carefully designed trials should examine this ongoing scientific query.

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Jian Gong School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China

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Yinjuan Lv School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China

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Yuhao Meng Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China

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Weiheng Zhang Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China

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Xiaocui Jiang Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China

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Min Xiao Laboratory Animal Center, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China

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Prenatal stress can lead to the programming of the neuroendocrine system in male offspring, disrupting the hypothalamic testicular axis and adversely affecting the reproductive health of male offspring. This study aimed to determine the long-term effects of prenatal stress on the KISS1 system in male offspring and the effects on reproductive function in male offspring. Sixteen pregnant females were divided into a prenatal control group (PC, n = 8) and a prenatal stress group (PS, n = 8). The PS group was modeled with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) from day 1 of gestation to full-term delivery. Differences between the two groups in various maternal parameters, including glucocorticoid secretion, litter size, and the effects of male offspring birth weight, the KISS1 system, and reproductive function, were determined. Male offspring of PS dams had lower birth weights compared to prenatal controls.KISS1 gene expression is reduced at birth and in adult PS offspring, and its receptor KISS1-R protein is similarly reduced in PS offspring at birth and adulthood. In adulthood, PS male offspring show significantly reduced sex hormone production, altered testicular morphology, reduced maturation of their supporting cells, and decreased expression of connexin 43 (CX43), leading to an altered sperm microenvironment and reduced sperm quality. In conclusion, prenatal stress leads to adverse changes in the KISS1 system in male offspring and decreased reproductive function.

Open access
Alessandro Barbato Auxo-endocrinology Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

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Giulia Gori Medical Genetics Unit, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy

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Michele Sacchini Metabolic and Muscular Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy

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Francesca Pochiero Metabolic and Muscular Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy

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Sara Bargiacchi Medical Genetics Unit, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy

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Giovanna Traficante Medical Genetics Unit, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy

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Viviana Palazzo Medical Genetics Unit, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy

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Lucia Tiberi Medical Genetics Unit, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy

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Claudia Bianchini Pediatric Neurology and Neurogenetics Unit and Laboratories, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy

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Davide Mei Pediatric Neurology and Neurogenetics Unit and Laboratories, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy

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Elena Parrini Pediatric Neurology and Neurogenetics Unit and Laboratories, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy

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Tiziana Pisano Pediatric Neurology and Neurogenetics Unit and Laboratories, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy

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Elena Procopio Metabolic and Muscular Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy

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Renzo Guerrini Pediatric Neurology and Neurogenetics Unit and Laboratories, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
NEUROFARBA Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

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Angela Peron Medical Genetics Unit, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
Department of Clinical and Experimental Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

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Stefano Stagi Auxo-endocrinology Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

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Context

Cytochrome C oxidase (COX) is the fourth component of the respiratory chain and is located within the internal membrane of mitochondria. COX deficiency causes an inherited mitochondrial disease with significant genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity. Four clinical subtypes have been identified, each with distinct phenotypes and genetic variants. Mitochondrial complex IV deficiency nuclear type 4 (MC4DN4) is a form of COX deficiency associated with pathogenic variants in the SCO1 gene.

Case description

We describe three patients with MC4DN4 with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE), hypopituitarism, and SCO1 pathogenic variants. These patients’ phenotypes considerably differ from previously reported MC4DN4 phenotypes as they associate DEE with progressive hypopituitarism and survival beyond the first months after birth. Pituitary deficiency in these patients progressively worsened and mainly involved growth hormone secretion and thyroid function.

Conclusions

Our findings expand knowledge of phenotypic variability in MC4DN4 and suggest that SCO1 is a candidate gene for genetic hypopituitarism and DEE.

Significance statement

Our paper describes three patients affected by MC4DN4 with hypopituitarism and developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE), two features that have never been associated with this condition. In addition, we reviewed the clinical features of all previous cases of MC4DN4 to give the other clinicians a wide picture of the clinical phenotype of this genetic disease. We hope that the publication of our data may help others to identify this disease and consider the chance to analyze the SCO1 gene in cases of DEE associated with pituitary dysfunction. Our article contributes to expanding the spectrum of genetic hypopituitarism and proposes a model to explain an association between this condition, mitochondrial anomalies, and neurodevelopmental defects.

Open access
Lukas Plachy Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Petra Dusatkova Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Klara Maratova Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Shenali Anne Amaratunga Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Dana Zemkova Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Vit Neuman Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Stanislava Kolouskova Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Barbora Obermannova Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Marta Snajderova Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Zdenek Sumnik Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Jan Lebl Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Stepanka Pruhova Department of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu, Prague, Czech Republic

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Because the causes of combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) are complex, the etiology of congenital CPHD remains unknown in most cases. The aim of the study was to identify the genetic etiology of CPHD in a well-defined single-center cohort. In total, 34 children (12 girls) with congenital CPHD (growth hormone (GH) deficiency and impaired secretion of at least one other pituitary hormone) treated with GH in our center were enrolled in the study. Their median age was 11.2 years, pre-treatment height was −3.2 s.d., and maximal stimulated GH was 1.4 ug/L. Of them, 30 had central adrenal insufficiency, 27 had central hypothyroidism, ten had hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and three had central diabetes insipidus. Twenty-six children had a midline defect on MRI. Children with clinical suspicion of a specific genetic disorder underwent genetic examination of the gene(s) of interest via Sanger sequencing or array comparative genomic hybridization. Children without a detected causal variant after the first-tier testing or with no suspicion of a specific genetic disorder were subsequently examined using next-generation sequencing growth panel. Variants were evaluated by the American College of Medical Genetics standards. Genetic etiology was confirmed in 7/34 (21%) children. Chromosomal aberrations were found in one child (14q microdeletion involving the OTX2 gene). The remaining 6 children had causative genetic variants in the GLI2, PROP1, POU1F1, TBX3, PMM2, and GNAO1 genes, respectively. We elucidated the cause of CPHD in a fifth of the patients. Moreover, our study supports the PMM2 gene as a candidate gene for CPHD and suggests pathogenic variants in the GNAO1 gene as a potential novel genetic cause of CPHD.

Open access
Budoor Alemadi Endocrinology Department, Dubai Hospital, Dubai Health, Dubai, UAE

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Fauzia Rashid Endocrinology Department, Dubai Hospital, Dubai Health, Dubai, UAE

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Ali Alzahrani King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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Primary hyperparathyroidism has emerged as a prevalent endocrine disorder in clinical settings, necessitating in most cases, surgical intervention for the removal of the diseased gland. This condition is characterised by overactivity of the parathyroid glands, resulting in excessive parathyroid hormone production and subsequent disturbances in calcium homeostasis. The primary mode of management is surgical treatment, relying on the accurate localisation of the pathological parathyroid gland. Precise identification is paramount to ensuring that the surgical intervention effectively targets and removes the diseased gland, alleviating the hyperfunctioning state. However, localising the gland becomes challenging, as discrepancies between the clinical manifestation of active parathyroid and radiological identification are common. Based on our current knowledge, to date, no comprehensive review has been conducted that considers all factors collectively. This comprehensive review delves into the factors contributing to false-negative 99mTc-Sestamibi scans. Our research involved an exhaustive search in the PubMed database for hyperparathyroidism, with the identified literature meticulously filtered and reviewed by the authors. The results highlighted various factors, including multiple parathyroid diseases, nodular goitre, mild disease, or the presence of an ectopic gland that causes discordance. Hence, a thorough consideration of these factors is crucial during the diagnostic workup of hyperparathyroidism. Employing intraoperative PTH assays can significantly contribute to a successful cure of the disease, thereby providing a more comprehensive approach to managing this prevalent endocrine disorder.

Open access
Mohamed Hssaini Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, University Hospital Center Hassan II, Fez, Morocco
Laboratory of Biotechnology, Environment, Food, and Health, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco

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Sana Abourazzak Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, University Hospital Center Hassan II, Fez, Morocco

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Ihsane El Otmani Laboratory of Health Sciences and Technologies, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Hassan First University of Settat, Morocco

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Mohamed Ahakoud Medical Genetics Laboratory, University Hospital Center Hassan II, Fez, Morocco

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Amina Ameli Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, University Hospital Center Hassan II, Fez, Morocco

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Laila Bouguenouch Medical Genetics Laboratory, University Hospital Center Hassan II, Fez, Morocco

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Hicham Bekkari Laboratory of Biotechnology, Environment, Food, and Health, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco

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Background

Differences/disorders of sex development (DSD) encompass a wide range of conditions. Their clinical spectrum and etiological diagnosis have not been reported in Moroccan patients.

Aims

The study aims to highlight the clinical spectrum, etiological diagnosis, and management of patients with DSD.

Subjects and methods

This is a retrospective study of all patients diagnosed with DSD under the age of 18 years, who were referred to the Pediatric Endocrinology Department and the Medical Genetics Laboratory at HASSAN II University Hospital of Fez between June 2018 and June 2023.

Results

Out of 57 patients, 54.4% (n = 31) were diagnosed with 46,XX DSD, the most common type, while 45.6% (n = 26) had 46,XY DSD. Patients with 46,XX DSD presented earlier than those with 46,XY DSD, at a median age of 0.08 years and 0.96 years, respectively. The most commonly reported complaint was atypical genitalia. At the first presentation, the sex of rearing was already assigned to 26 males and 27 females. All patients with 46,XX DSD were diagnosed with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) at a median age of diagnosis of 0.92 years. Of these, 11 patients were raised as males. Disorders of androgen action or synthesis were more common in XY patients (69.2%). The consanguinity rate was 46.5%, and there were 19 cases with a positive family history, with 10 siblings having died.

Conclusion

DSD are not rare in Morocco. Overall, CAH remains the most frequent DSD etiology. Molecular genetic analyses are needed to determine the accurate etiological distribution of DSD, especially in XY patients.

Open access
Rohit Barnabas Department of Endocrinology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

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Swati Jadhav Department of Endocrinology, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru, India

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Anurag Ranjan Lila Department of Endocrinology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

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Sirisha Kusuma Boddu Consultant Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Hyderabad, India

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Saba Samad Memon Department of Endocrinology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

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Sneha Arya Department of Endocrinology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

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Samiksha Chandrashekhar Hegishte Department of Endocrinology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

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Manjiri Karlekar Department of Endocrinology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

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Virendra A Patil Department of Endocrinology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

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Vijaya Sarathi Department of Endocrinology, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru, India

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Nalini S Shah Department of Endocrinology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

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Tushar Bandgar Department of Endocrinology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

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Background

The data on Leydig cell hypoplasia (LCH) resulting from biallelic Luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) inactivating variants is limited to case series.

Methods

We aim to describe our patients and perform systematic review of the patients with LHCGR inactivating variants in the literature. Detailed phenotype and genotype data of three patients from our centre and 85 (46,XY: 67; 46,XX: 18) patients from 59 families with LHCGR-inactivating variants from literature were described.

Results

Three 46,XY patients (age 6–18 years) from our center, with two reared as females, had two novel variants in LHCGR. Systematic review (including our patients) revealed 72 variants in 88 patients. 46,XY patients (n = 70, 56 raised as females) presented with pubertal delay (n = 41) or atypical genitalia (n = 17). Sinnecker score ≥3 (suggesting antenatal human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) inaction) was seen in 80% (56/70), and hCG-stimulated testosterone was low (<1.1 ng/mL) in 77.4% (24/31), whereas puberty/postpubertal age, high luteinizing hormone (LH) (97.6%, 41/42) and low (<1.0 ng/mL) basal testosterone (94.9%, 37/39) was observed in most. Follicle stimulating hormone was elevated in 21/51 of these patients. Variants with <10% receptor function were exclusively seen in cohorts with Sinnecker 4/5 (10/15 vs 0/5, P = 0.033). 46,XX patients (n = 18) presented with oligo/amenorrhea and/or anovulatory infertility and had polycystic ovaries (7/9) with median LH of 10 IU/L (1.2–38).

Conclusion

In summary, this study comprehensively characterizes LHCGR variants, revealing genotype-phenotype correlations and informing clinical management of LCH. In 46,XY LCH patients, pubertal LH inaction is uniform with variable severity of antenatal hCG inaction. Few mutant LHCGR have differential actions for LH and hCG.

Open access
G Amiyangoda Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Diabetes and Endocrine Unit, National Hospital, Kandy, Sri Lanka

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C N Antonypillai Diabetes and Endocrine Unit, National Hospital, Kandy, Sri Lanka

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S S C Gunatilake Diabetes and Endocrine Unit, National Hospital, Kandy, Sri Lanka

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T T Weerathunge Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

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D Ediriweera Health Data Science Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

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S G P D Kosgallana Diabetes and Endocrine Unit, National Hospital, Kandy, Sri Lanka

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R D P Jayawardana Department of Biochemistry, National Hospital, Kandy, Sri Lanka

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H A N D Thissera Department of Biochemistry, National Hospital, Kandy, Sri Lanka

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W J Emalka Faculty of medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

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H U Daraniyagala Faculty of medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

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Refractory hypothyroidism is associated with high morbidity and increased healthcare expenditure. In general, the use of the levothyroxine absorption test looks promising in evaluating refractory hypothyroidism but has shown significant variability in protocols in multiple settings. We intended to assess the usefulness of the levothyroxine absorption test in a low-resource setting and to assess the factors associated with refractory hypothyroidism. A cross-sectional study among age-matched 25 cases of refractory hypothyroidism and 24 treatment-responsive hypothyroid controls was conducted. A supervised levothyroxine absorption test was performed with levothyroxine 1000 μg tablets after a 10-h fast, and serum free tetraiodothyronine (FT4) levels were measured at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 h. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Student’s t-test, and logistic regression were used in the analysis. Results showed no significant difference in age, body weight, etiology of hypothyroidism, interfering medications, thyroxine storage, and ingestion technique in cases and controls. Cases had a longer duration of hypothyroidism and males had a higher peak FT4 concentration. During pooled analysis, serum FT4 peaked at 3 h with an increment of 149.4% (128.4–170.5%) from baseline and plateaued thereafter. The absolute value of FT4 at 3 h was 41.59 (s.d. 14.14) pmol/L (3.23 ng/dL). We concluded that there was no significant difference in the pattern of levothyroxine absorption in both groups. The most common cause of refractory disease was pseudo-malabsorption. Rapid supervised levothyroxine absorption test with two blood samples for FT4 at baseline and at the peak of absorption (3 h) is simple, convenient, and cost-effective, particularly in low-resource settings.

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Zeting Li Department of Endocrinology, Sun Yat-sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, China

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Ling Pei Department of Endocrinology, Sun Yat-sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, China

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Huangmeng Xiao Department of Endocrinology, Sun Yat-sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, China

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Nan Chen Department of Endocrinology, Sun Yat-sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, China

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Fenghua Lai Department of Endocrinology, Sun Yat-sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, China

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Shufang Yue Department of Endocrinology, Sun Yat-sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, China

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Changliu Xu Department of Endocrinology, Sun Yat-sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, China

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Yanbing Li Department of Endocrinology, Sun Yat-sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, China

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Haipeng Xiao Department of Endocrinology, Sun Yat-sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, China

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Xiaopei Cao Department of Endocrinology, Sun Yat-sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, China

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Glucose-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a vital hormone in the intestines that regulates glucose metabolism. Although pancreatic-derived factor (PANDER) overexpression is known to suppress GLP-1, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Our study aims to uncover how PANDER influences GLP-1 synthesis and secretion. We established a PANDER overexpression model in STC-1 intestinal cells, confirming its inhibitory effect on GLP-1 secretion. This effect was reversed in PANDER-knockout cells. Additionally, a negative correlation between PANDER and GLP-1 was observed in patients with a history of gestational diabetes. Subsequently, through whole transcriptome gene sequencing in PANDER-overexpressed STC-1 cells, we discovered that the activation of IL-6 and its related STAT3 signaling pathway was significantly inhibited, and this finding was validated by Western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Finally, rescue experiments confirmed that the IL-6-related STAT3/Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway mediates the negative regulatory effect of PANDER on GLP-1. Taken together, our data identify IL-6 as a bridge connecting PANDER and GLP-1 in the STC-1 cells, demonstrating potential therapeutic targets for diabetes treatment by targeting the PANDER–IL-6–GLP-1 axis.

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