Differences in zinc status and the leptin axis in anorexic and recovered adolescents and young adults: a pilot study

Evidence from animal studies suggests that leptin metabolism is associated with zinc (Zn) status. However, research investigating this relationship in adolescents and young adults with anorexia nervosa (AN) is scarce; the present study aims to fill that gap.Serum concentrations of leptin, the soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R) and the free leptin index (FLI) were obtained in healthy control subjects (n=19), acutely ill individuals (n=14) and recovered patients with AN (n=15). Serum Zn concentrations noted in previous research data were also incorporated for all groups.Leptin, FLI and Zn concentrations were higher in recovered subjects with AN when compared with acutely ill AN patients. Remitted patients showed higher sOB-R concentrations but no difference in FLI compared with the control group. Leptin and FLI were lower in the acutely ill patients compared with the control subjects, who showed no differences in Zn concentrations. Zn concentrations were not correlated with leptin, sOB-R or FLI concentrations in any of the three investigated subgroups.The present investigation does not entirely support an association between Zn, Leptin and FLI concentrations in subjects with AN, possibly due to limited statistical power. Further research and replication of the present findings related to the interaction between leptin and Zn is warranted. However, with respect to serum leptin levels the data of the present investigation indicate that acutely ill and remitted patients with AN differ as regards serum leptin concentrations and FLI, which is in line with previous research

Mental health correlates of autism spectrum disorder in gender diverse young people: Evidence from a specialised child and adolescent gender clinic in Australia

Research suggests an overrepresentation of autism spectrum diagnoses (ASD) or autistic traits in gender diverse samples, particularly in children and adolescents. Using data from the GENTLE (GENder identiTy Longitudinal Experience) Cohort at the Gender Diversity Service at the Perth Children’s Hospital, the primary objective of the current retrospective chart review was to explore psychopathology and quality of life in gender diverse children with co-occurring ASD relative to gender diverse children and adolescents without ASD. The Social Responsiveness Scale (Second Edition) generates a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) score indicating a likely clinical ASD diagnosis, which was used to partition participants into two groups (indicated ASD, n = 19) (no ASD indicated, n = 60). Indicated ASD was far higher than would be expected compared to general population estimates. Indicated ASD on the Social Responsiveness Scale 2 (SRS 2) was also a significant predictor of Internalising behaviours (Anxious/Depressed, Withdrawn/Depressed, Somatic Complaints, Thought Problems subscales) on the Youth Self Report. Indicated ASD was also a significant predictor of scores on all subscales of the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory. The current findings indicate that gender diverse children and adolescents with indicated ASD comprise an especially vulnerable group that are at marked risk of mental health difficulties, particularly internalising disorders, and poor quality of life outcomes. Services working with gender diverse young people should screen for ASD, and also provide pathways to appropriate care for the commonly associated mental health difficulties

Supplementary Material for: Self-Perceived Stigmatization in Female Patients with Anorexia Nervosa - Results from an Explorative Retrospective Pilot Study of Adolescents

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The stigma of mental illness has been identified as an important barrier to treatment and recovery. Previous research reported the stigmatization of individuals with eating disorders by both health professionals and the general public. The aim of this pilot study was to empirically assess the previous stigmatization and discrimination experiences of young female patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) using a retrospective explorative approach. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> An in-house questionnaire that was developed to survey experiences of stigmatization was mailed to 75 former adolescent patients with AN. The mean time of assessment after discharge was 5.6 ± 1.2 years. The patients were asked to respond anonymously. The response rate was approximately 48% (n = 36). <b><i>Results:</i></b> Feelings that society held negative stereotypes of individuals with AN, concrete experiences of stigmatization and discrimination, and rejection by peers were reported. A remarkable degree of self-stigmatization, as indexed by high rates of agreement to stigmatizing statements, was detected. Approximately one third of the participants reported delayed initiation of treatment due to fear of stigmatization and discrimination. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Stigmatization plays a decisive role in young patients with AN and impacts their motivation to seek professional help and engage in treatment. Clinicians should be aware of the stigmatization related to eating disorders and its burden for affected patients

Correction to: ESCAP CovCAP survey of heads of academic departments to assess the perceived initial (April/May 2020) impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on child and adolescent psychiatry services (European Child &amp; Adolescent Psychiatry, (2021), 10.1007/s00787-020-01699-x)

In the original articles, the last four members’ of COVID-19 Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Consortium affiliation were incorrectly published. The correct affiliation are given below. Nihal Yurteri: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Düzce University, Düzce, Turkey Florian Daniel Zepf: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany Anna Zielinska-Wieniawska: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland Alessandro Zuddas: Department of Biomedical Science and “G. Brotzu” Hospital Trust, Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy The original article has been corrected. © 2021, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature