1,721,036 research outputs found
MANAGEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE Subclinical hypothyroidism in children
No full textSubclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is biochemically defined as serum TSH levels above the upper limit of the reference range in the presence of normal free T4 (FT4) concentrations. While there is a general agreement to treat subjects with serum TSH levels above 10 mU/L, the management of mild form (TSH concentrations between 4.5 and 10 mU/L) is still a matter of debate. In children, mild SH is often a benign and remitting condition and the risk of progression to overt thyroid dysfunction depends on the underlying condition, being higher in the autoimmune forms. The major concern is to establish whether SH in children should always be considered an expression of mild thyroid dysfunction and may deserve treatment. Current data indicate that children with mild SH have normal linear growth, bone health and intellectual outcome. However, slight metabolic abnormalities and subtle deficits in specific cognitive domains have been reported in children with modest elevation of TSH concentration. Although these findings are not sufficient to recommend levothyroxine treatment for all children with mild SH, they indicate the need for regular monitoring to ensure early identification of children who may benefit from treatment. In the meanwhile, the decision to initiate therapy in children with mild SH should be based on individual factors
Metabolic effects of growth hormone deficiency and GH replacement therapy in children and adolescents
No full textAdults with severe growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) may develop a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors that may contribute to a reduced life expectancy with increased mortality due to cardiovascular disease. In adolescents with severe GHD there is also increasing evidence which suggests that the discontinuation of GH replacement therapy at the completion of linear growth may result in adverse effects on body composition, lipid profile, cardiac morphology and performance. In contrast, relatively few studies have investigated whether or not children with GHD have metabolic and cardiac abnormalities that may place them at higher risk of cardiovascular disease at an early age. This review focuses on the effect of both GHD and GH replacement on cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents with GH
Mild Hypothyroidism in Childhood: Who, When, and How Should Be Treated?
No full textMild hypothyroidism, also known as subclinical hypothyroidism (SH), is biochemically defined as serum TSH levels above the upper limit of the reference range, in the presence of normal serum concentrations of total T4 and free T4 (FT4). In the neonatal period, mild hypothyroidism can be defined by the presence of a TSH value between 6 and 20 mIU/L and normal FT4 levels. After the neonatal period, SH can be defined mild if TSH ranges between 4.5 and 10 mIU/L. The management of mild hypothyroidism in childhood is challenging. The major concern is to establish whether this condition should always be considered an expression of mild thyroid dysfunction. Indeed, the effects of untreated mild hypothyroidism are still not completely defined. In the neonatal period, concern exists about neurocognitive outcome; in children, although there is no clear evidence of alterations in growth or neurocognitive development, subtle cardiovascular abnormalities have been documented. Therefore, there is still uncertainty about the need of treatment across all ages, and the management should be based on the age of the child, the etiology, and the degree of TSH elevation, as well as on other patient factors. This review updates current evidences on diagnosis and management of mild hypothyroidism in childhood
Glucocorticoid treatment and adrenal suppression in children: current view and open issues
No full textPurpose: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are commonly used for several acute and chronic pediatric diseases. However, chronic treatment may result in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) dysfunction. Glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency (GI-AI) is indeed the most frequent cause of adrenal insufficiency (AI) in children, possibly resulting in a life-threatening event such as adrenal crisis (AC). It is generally underestimated, especially when using non-systemic glucocorticoid formulations. This review aims at summarizing current evidence on the effects of long-term GC treatment on the HPA axis, management of GC tapering and assessment of the HPA recovery. Methods: We conducted a narrative review of the relevant literature focusing on pathogenic mechanisms, predictive factors, diagnosis and treatment of GI-AI. Results: All types of GCs, whatever the route of administration, may have suppressive effects on the HPA axis, especially when compounds with higher potency and long half-life are used. Moreover, chronic GC administration is the most common cause of Cushing syndrome in children. In order to overcome the risk of GI-AI, slow withdrawal of GCs is necessary. When approaching the replacement dose, it is recommended to switch to shorter half-life formulations such as hydrocortisone. Assessment of HPA axis recovery with basal and stimulated cortisol levels may help detecting children at risk of AC that may require hydrocortisone supplementation. Conclusion: The management of GI-AI in children is challenging and many areas of uncertainty remain. Improving the knowledge on long-term GC effects on HPA in children, the management of steroid discontinuation and emergency dosing may help preventing GI-AI symptoms and acute hospital admission for AC
Muscle and skeletal health in children and adolescents with GH deficiency
No full textIn addition to promoting linear growth, GH plays a key role in the regulation of bone and muscle development and metabolism. Although GH deficiency is frequently listed among the causes of secondary osteoporosis in children, its impact on bone and muscle health and on fracture risk is still not completely established. Current data suggest that childhood-onset GH deficiency can affect bone and muscle mass and strength, with GH replacement therapy exerting beneficial effects. Moreover, GH withdrawal at final height can result in reduced peak bone and muscle mass, potentially leading to increased fracture risk in adulthood. Thus, the muscle-bone unit in GH deficient subjects should be monitored during childhood and adolescence in order to prevent osteoporosis and increased fracture risk and GH replacement should be tailored to ensure an optimal bone and muscle healt
Subclinical hypothyroidism in childhood — current knowledge and open issues
No full textSubclinical hypothyroidism is defined as serum levels of TSH above the upper limit of the reference range, in the presence of normal concentrations of total T4 or free T4. This biochemical profile might be an indication of mild hypothyroidism, with a potential increased risk of metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular disease recorded among adults. Whether subclinical hypothyroidism results in adverse health outcomes among children is a matter of debate and so management of this condition remains challenging. Mild forms of untreated subclinical hypothyroidism do not seem to be associated with impairments in growth, bone health or neurocognitive outcome. However, ongoing scientific investigations have highlighted the presence of subtle proatherogenic abnormalities among children with modest elevations in their TSH levels. Although current findings are insufficient to recommend levothyroxine treatment for all children with mild asymptomatic forms of subclinical hypothyroidism, they highlight the potential need for assessment of cardiovascular risk among children with this condition. Increased understanding of the early metabolic risk factors associated with subclinical hypothyroidism in childhood will help to improve the management of affected individuals
Unmet Needs of Pediatricians in Transgender-Specific Care: Results of a Short-Term Training
Full text linkIntroduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate (i) the knowledge about different dimensions of sexual identity in a group of family pediatricians and (ii) the efficacy of a training program to improve knowledge and reduce genderism and heteronormativity. Methods: A pre-post-follow-up study was conducted with 96 Italian pediatricians (48 men and 48 women) who participated in a 6-h training program and divided into 2 sections. The first section was theoretical and focused on the conceptual foundations of sexual identity, the depathologizing approach to gender diversity, and the role of pediatricians as the first contacts of children's or adolescents' family. The second part was experiential and included the presentation of a clinical case and the activation of a group reflection on the management of gender-diverse youth. Knowledge about sexual identity, genderism, and heteronormativity was measured. Results: Pre-training questionnaires revealed that the mean score of knowledge about sexual identity was 7.13 ± 3.21. One-way within-subject ANOVA revealed significant effects from pre- to post-training and from pre- to follow-up assessment but not from post-training to follow-up assessment, suggesting that significant changes in the knowledge about sexual identity (F = 39.75, p < 0.001), in personal biases related to genderism (F = 7.46, p < 0.01), and in heteronormative attitudes (F = 44.99, p < 0.001) and behaviors (F = 79.29, p < 0.001) were achieved through the training and maintained at follow-up. Conclusion: These findings indicate the importance of training pediatricians to work with gender-diverse youth and provide them with the best clinical interventions
The multiple faces of autoimmune Addison’s disease in children
No full textPrimary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) is a rare medical condition, characterized by a deficiency in adrenal hormones. Although rare, PAI is a life-threatening disease requiring prompt recognition and treatment. However, symptoms of PAI are often non-specific and diagnosis can be challenging, causing frequent diagnostic delays. In adults, autoimmunity is the most common cause of PAI in industrialized countries, whereas in children, the most frequent etiology is represented by congenital defects of steroidogenesis and, in particular, by congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. A few recent case series from different countries have reported that autoimmunity is the second most common etiology of PAI in the pediatric age group. However, data on autoimmune PAI in children are still scant and the exact epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and long-term outcomes of this condition have yet to be defined. The scope of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the etiology, presentation, and treatment of autoimmune PAI in childhood and to increase physicians' awareness of the signs that should raise an early suspicion of this condition
Longitudinal growth, sexual maturation and final height in patients with congenital hypothyroidism detected by neonatal screening.
No full textTo evaluate longitudinal growth, pubertal development and final height in patients with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) detected by a neonatal screening programme, and to identify factors potentially affecting growth outcome.
Fifty-five patients (41 females) detected by neonatal screening and followed longitudinally from the time of diagnosis and treatment (25+/-5 days) up to the age of 17+/-0.5 years were evaluated retrospectively.
Pubertal development began and progressed normally in both males and females. In boys, a testicular volume of 4 ml was reached at 11.3+/-1.0 years. In girls breast enlargement (B2) occurred at a mean age of 10.3+/-1.2 years and the mean age of menarche was 12.5+/-1.2 years. The onset and the progression of puberty were independent of the aetiology, the severity of CH and the timing of the beginning of treatment. Girls treated with an initial amount of L-thyroxine (L-T4) greater than 8 microg/kg per day showed an earlier onset of puberty (B2 9.4+/-0.9 years; menarche 11.5+/-0.8 years) compared with girls treated with a lower initial dose of L-T4 (B2 10.5+/-1.2 years; menarche 12.6+/-1.2 years; P<0.02). However, both groups attained a similar final height (-0.1+/-1.0 SDS and 0.4+/-1.0 SDS, respectively), which in both cases was above the target height (P=0.03). All the patients in the study attained a mean final height (0.1+/-1.1 SDS) within the normal range for the reference population and above the target height (-0.9+/-0.9 SDS, P<0.0001). No significant relationship was found between final height and severity of CH at diagnosis, initial L-T4 dosage or aetiology of the defect. Patients with ectopic gland, thyroid aplasia or in situ gland attained a similar mean final height (0.1+/-1.1 SDS, 0.5+/-1.0 SDS and -0.5+/-1.0 SDS, respectively), which was in all cases greater than target height (-1.0+/-0.9, -0.6+/-0.8, -0.9+/-0.8 respectively; P<0.05).
Our results suggest that conventional management of children with CH detected by neonatal screening leads to normal sexual development and normal adult height, and that the major factor determining height in these children is familial genetic growth potentia
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