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Konstantin Yakimchuk Department of Biosciences and Nutrition Karolinska Institutet, Neo, Huddinge, Sweden

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Chandrashekar Bangalore Revanna Department of Biosciences and Nutrition Karolinska Institutet, Neo, Huddinge, Sweden

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Dan Huang Department of Biosciences and Nutrition Karolinska Institutet, Neo, Huddinge, Sweden

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Jose Inzunza Department of Biosciences and Nutrition Karolinska Institutet, Neo, Huddinge, Sweden

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Sam Okret Department of Biosciences and Nutrition Karolinska Institutet, Neo, Huddinge, Sweden

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Well-defined physiological functions of estrogens are mediated via nuclear estrogen receptors α (ESR1) and β (ESR2). With regard to hematological malignancies, expression of ESR2 has been found in both B and T cell lymphomas. In addition to endogenous estrogens or selective ESR2 agonists, ESR2 signaling may be affected by both environmental synthetic estrogen-mimicking compounds and dietary phytoestrogens. In the present study, we demonstrate that oral exposure with either the synthetic compound bisphenol A (BPA) or the dietary phytoestrogen genistein reduced the growth of grafted murine T cell (EG7) and human B cell (Granta-519 mantle cell) lymphomas which both express ESR2. Suppression of lymphoma growth was due to reduced proliferation (BPA and genistein) and induction of apoptosis (genistein). Inhibition of lymphoma growth was seen at a BPA dose of 50 µg/kg body weight (BW)/day considered to be safe human exposure dose or a genistein dose of 1 mg/kg BW/day orally, which is reached in soy-rich diets. Thus, our study indicates that the environmental xenoestrogens BPA and genistein have anti-proliferative effects on ESR2-expressing lymphomas. Our data suggest that phytoestrogens may be considered as a dietary supplement for lymphoma patients and possibly for prevention of lymphoid malignancies.

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Kristian Almstrup Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

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Hanne Frederiksen Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

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Anna-Maria Andersson Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

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Anders Juul Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

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Puberty marks a transition period, which leads to the attainment of adult sexual maturity. Timing of puberty is a strongly heritable trait. However, large genetic association studies can only explain a fraction of the observed variability and striking secular trends suggest that lifestyle and/or environmental factors are important. Using liquid-chromatography tandem-mass-spectrometry, we measured endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs; triclosan, bisphenol A, benzophenone-3, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 11 metabolites from 5 phthalates) in longitudinal urine samples obtained biannually from peri-pubertal children included in the COPENHAGEN puberty cohort. EDC levels were associated with blood DNA methylation profiles from 31 boys and 20 girls measured both pre- and post-pubertally. We found little evidence of single methylation sites that on their own showed association with urinary excretion levels of EDCs obtained either the same-day or measured as the yearly mean of dichotomized EDC levels. In contrast, methylation of several promoter regions was found to be associated with two or more EDCs, overlap with known gene–chemical interactions, and form a core network with genes known to be important for puberty. Furthermore, children with the highest yearly mean of dichotomized urinary phthalate metabolite levels were associated with higher promoter methylation of the thyroid hormone receptor interactor 6 gene (TRIP6), which again was mirrored by lower circulating TRIP6 protein levels. In general, the mean TRIP6 promoter methylation was mirrored by circulating TRIP6 protein levels. Our results provide a potential molecular mode of action of how exposure to environmental chemicals may modify pubertal development.

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Amalie Carlsson Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
International Research and Research Training Center in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen, Denmark

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Kaspar Sørensen Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
The Child and Youth Clinic, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

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Anna-Maria Andersson Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
International Research and Research Training Center in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen, Denmark

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Hanne Frederiksen Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
International Research and Research Training Center in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen, Denmark

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Anders Juul Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
International Research and Research Training Center in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen, Denmark

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Introduction

Bisphenol A and several of the most commonly used phthalates have been associated with adverse metabolic health effects such as obesity and diabetes. Therefore, we analyzed these man-made chemicals in first morning urine samples from 107 healthy normal-weight Danish children and adolescents.

Method

This was a cross-sectional study. Participants were recruited as part of the Copenhagen Puberty Study. The subjects were evaluated by an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan, direct oxygen uptake measurement during cycle ergometry and fasting blood samples. First morning urine was collected and phthalate metabolites and BPA were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) with prior enzymatic deconjugation. Individual chemical concentrations were divided into tertiles and analyzed in relation to biological outcome.

Results

Children in the lowest tertile of urinary BPA had significantly higher peak insulin levels during OGTT (P = 0.01), lower insulin sensitivity index (P < 0.01), higher leptin (P = 0.03), triglyceride (P < 0.01) and total cholesterol levels (P = 0.04), lower aerobic fitness (P = 0.02) and a tendency toward higher fat mass index (P = 0.1) compared with children in the highest tertile for uBPA. No significant differences in anthropometrics, body composition or glucose metabolism were associated with any of the phthalate metabolites measured.

Conclusion

This pilot study on healthy normal-weight children suggests an inverse association between BPA and insulin resistance. Our findings contrast other cross-sectional studies showing a positive association for BPA, which may be due to confounding or reverse causation because diet is an important source of both BPA exposure and obesity.

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Maurício Martins da Silva Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

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Lueni Lopes Felix Xavier Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

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Carlos Frederico Lima Gonçalves Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

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Ana Paula Santos-Silva Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
NUMPEX, Campus Duque de Caxias, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

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Francisca Diana Paiva-Melo Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

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Mariana Lopes de Freitas Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

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Rodrigo Soares Fortunato Laboratory of Molecular Radiobiology, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

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Leandro Miranda-Alves Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

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Andrea Claudia Freitas Ferreira Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
NUMPEX, Campus Duque de Caxias, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

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Bisphenol A (BPA) is the most common monomer in polycarbonate plastics and an endocrine disruptor. Though some effects of BPA on thyroid hormone (TH) synthesis and action have been described, the impact of this compound on thyroid H2O2 generation remains elusive. H2O2 is a reactive oxygen species (ROS), which could have deleterious effect on thyrocytes if in excess. Therefore, herein we aimed at evaluating the effect of BPA exposition both in vivo and in vitro on H2O2 generation in thyrocytes, besides other essential steps for TH synthesis. Female Wistar rats were treated with vehicle (control) or BPA 40 mg/kg BW for 15 days, by gavage. We then evaluated thyroid iodide uptake, mediated by sodium-iodide symporter (NIS), thyroperoxidase (TPO) and dual oxidase (DOUX) activities (H2O2 generation). Hydrogen peroxide generation was increased, while iodide uptake and TPO activity were reduced by BPA exposition. We have also incubated the rat thyroid cell line PCCL3 with 10−9 M BPA and evaluated Nis and Duox mRNA levels, besides H2O2 generation. Similar to that found in vivo, BPA treatment also led to increased H2O2 generation in PCCL3. Nis mRNA levels were reduced and Duox2 mRNA levels were increased in BPA-exposed cells. To evaluate the importance of oxidative stress on BPA-induced Nis reduction, PCCL3 was treated with BPA in association to N-acetylcysteine, an antioxidant, which reversed the effect of BPA on Nis. Our data suggest that BPA increases ROS production in thyrocytes, what could lead to oxidative damage thus possibly predisposing to thyroid disease.

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Maria Luisa Brandi Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Fondazione Italiana Ricerca sulle Malattie dell’Osso (FIRMO Onlus), Florence, Italy

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Stefania Bandinelli Geriatric Unit, Azienda Sanitaria Toscana Centro, Florence, Italy

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Teresa Iantomasi Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

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Francesca Giusti Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

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Eleonora Talluri Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

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Giovanna Sini Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

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Fabrizio Nannipieri Clinical Research, Abiogen Pharma, Pisa, Italy

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Santina Battaglia Clinical Research, Abiogen Pharma, Pisa, Italy

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Riccardo Giusti Clinical Research, Abiogen Pharma, Pisa, Italy

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Colin Gerard Egan CE Medical Writing SRLS, Pisa, Italy

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Luigi Ferrucci Longitudinal Study Section, Translation Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

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Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the association between the endocrine-disrupting chemical, bisphenol A (BPA) on circulating levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OD)D) and other vitamin D metabolites in an elderly population in Italy.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of the InCHIANTI Biobank in Italy. The association between vitamin D metabolites namely 1,25(OH)D, 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and BPA levels were evaluated. Multiple regression models were used to examine the association between predictor variables with 1,25(OH)D or 25(OH)D levels.

Results

Samples from 299 individuals aged 72.8 ± 15.7 years were examined. Mean levels of BPA, 1,25(OH)D and 25(OH)D were 351.2 ± 511.6 ng/dL, 43.7 ± 16.9 pg/mL and 20.2 ± 12.1 ng/mL, respectively. One hundred eighty individuals (60.2%) were deficient (<20 ng/mL) in 25(OH)D and this population also presented higher BPA levels (527.9 ± 1289.5 ng/dL vs 86.9 ± 116.8 ng/dL, P  < 0.0001). Univariate analysis revealed that BPA levels were negatively correlated with both 1,25(OH)D (r= −0.67, P  < 0.0001) and 25(OH)D (r= −0.69, P  < 0.0001). Multivariate regression revealed that PTH (β: −0.23, 95% CI: −0.34, −0.13, P  < 0.0001) and BPA (β: −0.25, 95% CI: −0.3, −0.19, P  < 0.0001) remained significantly associated with 25(OH)D levels while BPA was also associated with 1,25(OH)D levels (β: −0.19, 95% CI: −0.22, −0.15, P  < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that a BPA concentration of >113 ng/dL was the best cut-off to predict individuals deficient in 25(OH)D (area under the curve: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.82–0.90, P  < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The strong negative association between BPA and vitamin D in this elderly population warrants further investigation, particularly since this population is already at greatest risk of hypovitaminosis and fracture.

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M Axelstad Technical University of Denmark, National Food Institute, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark

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U Hass Technical University of Denmark, National Food Institute, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark

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M Scholze Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK

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S Christiansen Technical University of Denmark, National Food Institute, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark

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A Kortenkamp Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK

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J Boberg Technical University of Denmark, National Food Institute, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark

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Human semen quality is declining in many parts of the world, but the causes are ill defined. In rodents, impaired sperm production can be seen with early life exposure to certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals, but the effects of combined exposures are not properly investigated. In this study, we examined the effects of early exposure to the painkiller paracetamol and mixtures of human relevant endocrine-disrupting chemicals in rats. One mixture contained four estrogenic compounds; another contained eight anti-androgenic environmental chemicals and a third mixture contained estrogens, anti-androgens and paracetamol. All exposures were administered by oral gavage to time-mated Wistar dams rats (n = 16–20) throughout gestation and lactation. In the postnatal period, testicular histology was affected by the total mixture, and at the end of weaning, male testis weights were significantly increased by paracetamol and the high doses of the total and the anti-androgenic mixture, compared to controls. In all dose groups, epididymal sperm counts were reduced several months after end of exposure, i.e. at 10 months of age. Interestingly, the same pattern of effects was seen for paracetamol as for mixtures with diverse modes of action. Reduced sperm count was seen at a dose level reflecting human therapeutic exposure to paracetamol. Environmental chemical mixtures affected sperm count at the lowest mixture dose indicating an insufficient margin of safety for the most exposed humans. This causes concern for exposure of pregnant women to paracetamol as well as environmental endocrine disrupters.

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Simone Martins de Castro Hospital Materno Infantil Presidente Vargas, Newborn Screening Referral Center, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
Department of Analysis, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), School of Pharmacy, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

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Paloma Wiest Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

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Poli Mara Spritzer Division of Endocrinology, Department of Physiology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

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Cristiane Kopacek Hospital Materno Infantil Presidente Vargas, Newborn Screening Referral Center, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
Department of Pediatrics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Medical School, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

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Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) occurs due to enzyme defects in adrenal steroidogenesis. The 21-hydroxylase deficiency accounts for 90–95% of cases, triggering accumulation of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP). Early diagnosis through neonatal screening allows adequate treatment and reduced mortality. The purpose of the study was to determine 17-OHP cutoffs for the diagnosis of CAH in a public newborn screening program in Southern Brazil. A retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze 17-OHP levels in dried blood samples collected on filter paper of 317,745 newborns screened at a public newborn screening center from May 2014 to April 2017. Neonatal 17-OHP was measured in DBS samples using a time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (GSP® kit 3305-0010; PerkinElmer). Different cutoffs were determined and stratified by birth weight. The incidence of CAH was 1:15,887 live births in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, with 20 cases of classical CAH diagnosed during the study period. Most newborns (80.73%) were white, and the prematurity rate was 9.8% in the study population. The combination of different percentiles, 98.5th for birth weight 2001–2500 g and 99.8th for the other birth weight groups, decreased false-positive results and increased specificity compared with current reference values to identify classical CAH cases. The local 17-OHP cutoffs determined were higher than those currently used by this screening program for all birth weight groups. The calculation of reference values from local population data and the combination of percentiles proved to be a valuable tool for proper diagnosis of CAH and reduction in the number of false positives.

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Robert Rapaport Division of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes, Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA

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Jan M Wit Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

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Martin O Savage Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London, UK

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The terms ‘idiopathic short stature’ (ISS) and ‘small for gestational age’ (SGA) were first used in the 1970s and 1980s. ISS described non-syndromic short children with undefined aetiology who did not have growth hormone (GH) deficiency, chromosomal defects, chronic illness, dysmorphic features or low birth weight. Despite originating in the pre-molecular era, ISS is still used as a diagnostic label today. The term ‘SGA’ was adopted by paediatric endocrinologists to describe children born with low birth weight and/or length, some of whom may experience lack of catch-up growth and present with short stature. GH treatment was approved by the FDA for short children born SGA in 2001, and by the EMA in 2003, and for the treatment of ISS in the US, but not Europe, in 2003. These approvals strengthened the terms ‘SGA’ and ‘ISS’ as clinical entities. While clinical and hormonal diagnostic techniques remain important, it is the emergence of genetic investigations that have led to numerous molecular discoveries in both ISS and SGA subjects. The primary message of this article is that the labels ISS and SGA are not definitive diagnoses. We propose that the three disciplines of clinical evaluation, hormonal investigation and genetic sequencing should have equal status in the hierarchy of short stature assessments and should complement each other to identify the true pathogenesis in poorly growing patients.

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Caroline Culen University Clinic of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

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Diana-Alexandra Ertl University Clinic of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

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Katharina Schubert University Clinic of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

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Lisa Bartha-Doering University Clinic of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

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Gabriele Haeusler University Clinic of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

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Turner syndrome (TS), although considered a rare disease, is the most common sex chromosome abnormality in women, with an incident of 1 in 2500 female births. TS is characterized by distinctive physical features such as short stature, ovarian dysgenesis, an increased risk for heart and renal defects as well as a specific cognitive and psychosocial phenotype. Given the complexity of the condition, patients face manifold difficulties which increase over the lifespan. Furthermore, failures during the transitional phase to adult care result in moderate health outcomes and decreased quality of life. Guidelines on the optimal screening procedures and medical treatment are easy to find. However, recommendations for the treatment of the incriminating psychosocial aspects in TS are scarce. In this work, we first reviewed the literature on the cognitive and psychosocial development of girls with TS compared with normal development, from disclosure to young adulthood, and then introduce a psychosocial approach to counseling and treating patients with TS, including recommendations for age-appropriate psychological diagnostics. With this work, we aim to facilitate the integration of emphasized psychosocial care in state-of-the-art treatment for girls and women with TS.

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