Adrenal responses to a low-dose short synacthen test in children with asthma

Objectives Corticosteroids are known to cause adrenal suppression. The aim of this study was to assess clinical factors affecting responses to a low dose short synacthen test (LDSST) in asthmatic children using corticosteroids. Design Patients were recruited from secondary care paediatric asthma populations within the UK. Patients Asthmatic children (5–18 years), receiving corticosteroids, underwent a LDSST (n = 525). Measurements Demographics and corticosteroid doses were tested for association with baseline and peak (stimulated) cortisol concentrations. Results Baseline cortisol was significantly associated with age (log baseline increased 0·04 nm per year of age, P 1000 mcg/day 40%, n = 13) doses of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) similarly, and 36·6% of those using fluticasone ICS ≥500 mcg/day (71/194). Impaired response was more frequent in patients on regular oral corticosteroids (66%, n = 27, P < 0·001). Conclusion Children with asthma can develop biochemical adrenal suppression at similar frequencies for all ICS preparations and doses. The clinical consequence of biochemical suppression needs further study

Skin microvascular reactivity in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in relation to levels of physical activity and aerobic fitness

No studies to date have evaluated the relationship between exercise and microvascular function in youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Twenty-nine complication free children and adolescents with T1DM were assessed for skin microvascular reactivity, aerobic fitness (VO2peak) and physical activity. VO2peak but not physical activity was significantly and independently associated with maximal hyperemia of the skin microcirculation (p < .01). No significant associations were found between venoarteriolar reflex (VAR) vasoconstriction and VO2peak or physical activity. Aerobic fitness may be an important indicator or mediator of effective microvascular endothelial function in youth with T1DM

The role of early intra-operative MRI in partial resection of optic pathway/hypothalamic gliomas in children.

Optic pathway/hypothalamic gliomas (OPHGs) are generally benign but situated in an exquisitely sensitive brain region. They follow an unpredictable course and are usually impossible to resect completely. We present a case series of 10 patients who underwent surgery for OPHGs with the aid of intra-operative MRI (ioMRI). The impact of ioMRI on OPHG resection is presented, and a role for ioMRI in partial resection is discussed. Ten patients with OPHGs managed surgically utilising ioMRI at Alder Hey Children's Hospital between 2010 and 2013 were retrospectively identified. Demographic and relevant clinical data were obtained. MRI was used to estimate tumour volume pre-operatively and post-resection. If ioMRI demonstrated that further resection was possible, second-look surgery, at the discretion of the operating surgeon, was performed, followed by post-operative imaging to establish the final status of resection. Tumour volume was estimated for each MR image using the MRIcron software package. Control of tumour progression was achieved in all patients. Seven patients had, on table, second-look surgery with significant further tumour resection following ioMRI without any surgically related mortality or morbidity. The median additional quantity of tumour removed following second-look surgery, as a percentage of the initial total volume, was 27.79 % (range 11.2-59.2 %). The final tumour volume remaining with second-look surgery was 23.96 vs. 33.21 % without (p = 0.1). OPHGs are technically difficult to resect due to their eloquent location, making them suitable for debulking resection only. IoMRI allows surgical goals to be reassessed intra-operatively following primary resection. Second-look surgery can be performed if possible and necessary and allows significant quantities of extra tumour to be resected safely. Although the clinical significance of additional tumour resection is not yet clear, we suggest that ioMRI is a safe and useful additional tool, to be combined with advanced neuro navigation techniques for partial tumour resection

The role of early intra-operative MRI in partial resection of optic pathway/hypothalamic gliomas in children.

Optic pathway/hypothalamic gliomas (OPHGs) are generally benign but situated in an exquisitely sensitive brain region. They follow an unpredictable course and are usually impossible to resect completely. We present a case series of 10 patients who underwent surgery for OPHGs with the aid of intra-operative MRI (ioMRI). The impact of ioMRI on OPHG resection is presented, and a role for ioMRI in partial resection is discussed. Ten patients with OPHGs managed surgically utilising ioMRI at Alder Hey Children's Hospital between 2010 and 2013 were retrospectively identified. Demographic and relevant clinical data were obtained. MRI was used to estimate tumour volume pre-operatively and post-resection. If ioMRI demonstrated that further resection was possible, second-look surgery, at the discretion of the operating surgeon, was performed, followed by post-operative imaging to establish the final status of resection. Tumour volume was estimated for each MR image using the MRIcron software package. Control of tumour progression was achieved in all patients. Seven patients had, on table, second-look surgery with significant further tumour resection following ioMRI without any surgically related mortality or morbidity. The median additional quantity of tumour removed following second-look surgery, as a percentage of the initial total volume, was 27.79 % (range 11.2-59.2 %). The final tumour volume remaining with second-look surgery was 23.96 vs. 33.21 % without (p = 0.1). OPHGs are technically difficult to resect due to their eloquent location, making them suitable for debulking resection only. IoMRI allows surgical goals to be reassessed intra-operatively following primary resection. Second-look surgery can be performed if possible and necessary and allows significant quantities of extra tumour to be resected safely. Although the clinical significance of additional tumour resection is not yet clear, we suggest that ioMRI is a safe and useful additional tool, to be combined with advanced neuro navigation techniques for partial tumour resection

Genetic characterization of short stature patients with overlapping features of growth hormone insensitivity syndromes.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Growth hormone insensitivity (GHI) in children is characterized by short stature, functional IGF-I deficiency and normal or elevated serum GH concentrations. The clinical and genetic etiology of GHI is expanding. We undertook genetic characterization of short stature patients referred with suspected GHI and features which overlapped with known GH-IGF-I axis defects. DESIGN AND METHODS: Between 2008 and 2020, our center received 149 GHI referrals for genetic testing. Genetic analysis utilized a combination of candidate gene sequencing (CGS), whole exome sequencing (WES), array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and a targeted whole genome short stature gene panel. RESULTS: Genetic diagnoses were identified in 80/149 subjects (54%) with 45/80 (56%) having known GH-IGF-I axis defects (GHR n=40, IGFALS n=4, IGFIR n=1). The remaining 35/80 (44%) had diagnoses of 3M syndrome (n=10) (OBSL1 n=7, CUL7 n=2 and CCDC8 n=1), Noonan syndrome (n=4) (PTPN11 n=2, SOS1 n=1 and SOS2 n=1), Silver-Russell syndrome (n=2) (Loss of methylation on chromosome 11p15 and uniparental disomy for chromosome 7), Class 3-5 copy number variations (n=10) and disorders not previously associated with GHI (n=9) (Barth syndrome, Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome, Microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism Type II, Achondroplasia, Glycogen storage disease Type IXb, Lysinuric protein intolerance, Multiminicore Disease, MACS syndrome and Bloom syndrome). CONCLUSION: We report the wide range of diagnoses in 149 patients referred with suspected GHI, which emphasizes the need to recognize GHI as a spectrum of clinical entities in undiagnosed short stature patients. Detailed clinical and genetic assessment may identify a diagnosis and inform clinical management