Physical, social and societal functioning of children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and their parents, in a Dutch population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Most research concerning congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and related conditions caused by primary adrenal insufficiency, such as Addison's or Cushing's disease, has focused on medical aspects rather than on patients' quality of life. Therefore, our objective was to investigate the physical, social and societal functioning of children with CAH and their parents in a Dutch population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study is descriptive and cross-sectional. Self-designed questionnaires, based on questionnaires developed in the Netherlands for different patient groups, were sent to parents of children with CAH between 0 and 18 years old. Participants were recruited through the Dutch patient group for Adrenal Disease (NVACP) and six hospitals in the Netherlands. Three different questionnaires were designed for parents: for children aged 0 - 4, aged 4 - 12 and aged 12 - 18. Additionally, a fourth questionnaire was sent to adolescents with CAH aged 12 - 18. Main outcome measures were experienced burden of the condition, self-management and participation in several areas, such as school and leisure time.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 106 parents returned the questionnaire, 12 regarding pre-school children (0-4 years), 63 regarding primary school children (4-12 years), and 32 regarding secondary school children (12-18 years), combined response rate 69.7%. Also, 24 adolescents returned the questionnaire. Children and adolescents with CAH appear to be capable of self-management at a young age. Experienced burden of the condition is low, although children experience several health related problems on a daily basis. Children participate well in school and leisure time. Few children carry a crisis card or emergency injection with them.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Overall, our research shows that, according to their parents, children with CAH experience few negative effects of the condition and that they participate well in several areas such as school and leisure time. However, improvements can be made concerning the measures parents and children must take to prevent an adrenal crisis.</p

Agricultural Microcredit and Household Vulnerability in Rural Malawi

textabstractSixteen girls with Turner syndrome (TS) were treated for 4 years with biosynthetic growth hormone (GH). The dosage was 4IU/m2 body surface s.c. per day over the first 3 years. In the 4th year the dosage was increased to 61 U/m2 per day in the 6 girls with a poor height increment and in 1 girl oxandrolone was added. Ethinyl oestradiol was added after the age of 13. Mean (SD) growth velocities were 3.4 (0.9), 7.2 (1.7), 5.3 (1.3), 4.3 (2.0) and 3.6 (1.5) cm/year before and in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year of treatment. Skeletal maturation advanced faster than usual in Turner patients especially in the youger children. Although the mean height prediction increased by 5.6 cm and 11 of the 16 girls have now exceeded their predicted height, the height of the 4 girls who stopped GH treatment exceeded the predicted adult height by only 0 to 3.4 cm

Uniparental disomy 7 in Silver—Russell syndrome and primordial growth retardation

Maternal uniparental disomy for the entire chromosome 7 has so far been reported in three patients with intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation. Two were detected because they were homozygous for a cystic fibrosis mutation for which only the mother was heterozygous, and one because he was homozygous for a rare COL1A2 mutation. We investigated 35 patients with either the Silver-Russell syndrome or primordial growth retardation and their parents with PCR markers to search for uniparental disomy 7. Four of 35 patients were found to have maternal disomy, including three with isodisomy and one with heterodisomy. The data confirm the hypothetical localization of a maternally imprinted gene (or more than one such gene) on chromosome 7. It is suggested to search for UPD 7 in families with an offspring with sporadic Silver-Russell syndrome or primordial growth retardatio

Prepubertal unilateral gynecomastia: a report of two cases

Item does not contain fulltextBACKGROUND: Gynecomastia is defined as the presence of excessive breast tissue in males, which can appear unilateral or bilateral. Bilateral gynecomastia is frequently found in the neonatal period, early in puberty, and with increasing age. Prepubertal unilateral gynecomastia in the absence of endocrine abnormalities is extremely rare, with only a few cases in literature. METHODS: We report the cases of two otherwise healthy boys of 8 and 11 years old with unilateral breast masses. No abnormalities were found on ultrasonography and all endocrine parameters were within normal limits. Treatment consisted of peripheral liposuction followed by subcutaneous partial resection of the gland, conducted through an infra-areolar incision. Results : Microscopy of the subcutaneous mastectomy specimen revealed gynecomastia without signs of malignancy. Postoperative course of both patients was uncomplicated, with no signs of recurrence of breast tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Atypical presentations of gynecomastia are often not recognized, with little attention to breast development in prepubertal non-obese children. Since prepubertal gynecomastia could be a sign of possible underlying diseases, a thorough examination and further research is recommended. If there is no causal treatment, surgical resection is the therapy of first choice. Peripheral liposuction and surgical resection of the gland tissue are the mainstay of treatment. In summary, we describe two cases of prepubertal unilateral gynecomastia with a normal endocrine workup. Further research is needed to establish the pathophysiologic mechanisms of prepubertal gynecomastia, since underlying etiology in most cases remains unclear

Testicular adrenal rest tumors in adult males with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: evaluation of pituitary-gonadal function before and after successful testis-sparing surgery in eight patients.

Contains fulltext : 53524.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)CONTEXT: In male patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), testicular adrenal rest tumors (TART) are frequently present. These tumors can interfere with testicular function. Intensifying glucocorticoid therapy does not always lead to tumor regression and improvement of testicular function. Recently, testis-sparing surgery was introduced for treatment of TART. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate tumor volume, symptoms, and pituitary-gonadal function in male patients with CAH caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency and bilateral TART before and after testis-sparing surgery. SETTING: This study was conducted at Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre in The Netherlands. PATIENTS: Eight adult male CAH patients with bilateral TART and infertility were included. INTERVENTIONS: Evaluation of testicular magnetic resonance imaging, symptoms, fasting serum concentrations of ACTH, LH, FSH, inhibin B, 17-OH progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone, and estrone, and semen analysis (six of eight patients) was performed before and 6 and 22 months after testis-sparing surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were absence of residual tumor and improvement of symptoms and pituitary-gonadal function. RESULTS: Residual tumors were not found on any of the patients' magnetic resonance imaging after surgery. Two patients reported testicular pain and discomfort that disappeared after surgery. Parameters of pituitary-gonadal function did not improve after surgery: semen analysis showed azoospermia (five patients) or oligospermia (one patient) without improvement, and all patients had persistently low inhibin B concentrations. CONCLUSION: Testis-sparing surgery did not improve pituitary-gonadal function despite successful removal of the tumors. Further studies are needed to investigate whether surgery at an earlier stage in the natural history of TART can prevent permanent testicular damage

Effect of oxandrolone on glucose metabolism in growth hormone-treated girls with turner syndrome

Background: The weak androgen oxandrolone (Ox) may increase height but may also affect glucose metabolism in girls with Turner syndrome (TS). Methods: In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, we assessed the effect of Ox at a dosage of either 0.06 or 0.03 mg/kg/day on glucose metabolism in 133 growth hormone (GH)-treated girls with TS. Patients were treated with GH (1.33 mg/m2/day) from baseline, combined with placebo (Pl) or Ox from the age of 8, and estrogens from the age of 12. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed, and HbA1c levels were measured before, during, and after discontinuing Ox/Pl therapy. Results: Insulin sensitivity, assessed by the whole-body insulin sensitivity index (WBISI) decreased during GH+Ox/Pl (p = 0.003) without significant differences between the dosage groups. Values returned to pre-treatment levels after discontinuing GH+Ox/Pl. On GH+Ox, fasting glucose was less frequently impaired (Ox 0.03, p = 0.001; Ox 0.06, p = 0.02) and HbA1c levels decreased more (p = 0.03 and p = 0.001, respectively) than on GH+Pl. Conclusions: We conclude that in GH-treated girls with TS, Ox at a dosage of 0.03 or 0.06 mg/kg/day does not significantly affect insulin sensitivity. Insulin sensitivity decreases during GH therapy, to return to a pre-treatment level after discontinuing therapy