Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Harrington et al.1 suggest that basal LH of ≥0.3 IU/l as measured by ICMA (Immulite 2500) has 100% specificity and 90.5% sensitivity in identifying progressive central precocious puberty (CPP).Aims: To examine the utility of basal LH measured with the DELFIA assay for identifying CPP in girls.Methods: All girls under age 9 years (median 7.3 years) investigated for precocious puberty with a GnRH...

Introduction and aims: Adequate dietary calcium (Ca) intake is important for maintenance of bone health. In a clinical setting we employ a simple Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) for rapid assessment of dietary Ca intake. In this study we have validated our FFQ using a 3-day food diary (3FD) in children presenting to our metabolic bone and endocrine clinics.Methods: Dietary Ca intake values estimated using the FFQ were compared to those estimated by th...

Background: Delta-like homologue 1 (DLK1) encodes a transmembrane protein, which may also be secreted into the circulation. Levels are known to rise in maternal serum during late gestation and our genetic studies in the mouse have shown that this DLK1 arises from the conceptus. The cell population that secretes DLK1 into the maternal circulation has not been identified. In humans DLK1 has been shown to be differentially expressed in intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) when c...

Introduction: The Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway is an evolutionarily conserved signalling pathway, playing an essential role during embryonic development. Murine studies have shown the importance of Shh in the growth of the adrenocortical primordium. Shh expression has previously been described in relatively undifferentiated sub-capsular cells in the developing rodent adrenal, however the organisation of the human foetal adrenal (HFA) is unique. This novel study aimed to descri...

Background: Children who are overweight and obese have a higher incidence of fracture, but it is unknown if this varies by fracture site. Indeed, obesity in adult women protects against forearm fracture, but increases the risk of humeral fractures. We aimed to determine if adiposity differed by fracture site in children with upper limb fractures.Methods: Children aged 3–18 years were recruited within 60 days of fracture. Height, weight, waist circum...

Background: Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is the commonest cause of persistent hypoglycaemia and is due to the unregulated secretion of insulin from the pancreatic beta-cells. The role of gut hormones and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) is currently unknown in patients with CHI.Aims: To evaluate the expression pattern of DPP-4 in focal and diffuse CHI.Method: Using intra-operative formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) pancreati...

Introduction: Adrenal insufficiency is rare in the neonatal period and if unrecognised may cause life-threatening circulatory collapse. The initial investigations taken at the time of presentation, and prior to the institution of hydrocortisone, are a key step in the diagnostic pathway, and aid the clinician to distinguish adrenal insufficiency from mineralocorticoid resistance or renal tubulopathy. A cortisol measurement at the time of illness is useful to evaluate the adrena...

Background: Recombinant human GH (rhGH) may improve bone mass in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Objective: To investigate rhGH on bone and body composition in paediatric IBD.Method: Bone biomarkers were evaluated in 12 children, 11CD (10M), median age 14.4 year (8.9, 16.2) who received rhGH (0.067 mg/kg per day) as part of a 6 months RCT. Eight received rhGH for 24 months and had DXA evaluation. Results were reported a...

Introduction: Adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes have been recognised in children with hypoglycaemia due to early and late presenting congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI). The Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales II (VABS-II) is a standardised measure used to assess parent reported adaptive behaviour. The test measures five domains; motor, communication, daily living skills (DLS), socialisation, and maladaptive behaviour. We have used VABS-II to identify specific neurodevelopmental...