Reference values for height, height velocity and weight in Turner's syndrome. Swedish Study Group for GH treatment

Clinical practice guidelines for the care of girls and women with Turner syndrome

Turner syndrome (TS) affects 50 per 100 000 females. TS affects multiple organs through all stages of life, necessitating multidisciplinary care. This guideline extends previous ones and includes important new advances, within diagnostics and genetics, estrogen treatment, fertility, co-morbidities, and neurocognition and neuropsychology. Exploratory meetings were held in 2021 in Europe and United States culminating with a consensus meeting in Aarhus, Denmark in June 2023. Prior to this, eight groups addressed important areas in TS care: (1) diagnosis and genetics, (2) growth, (3) puberty and estrogen treatment, (4) cardiovascular health, (5) transition, (6) fertility assessment, monitoring, and counselling, (7) health surveillance for comorbidities throughout the lifespan, and (8) neurocognition and its implications for mental health and well-being. Each group produced proposals for the present guidelines, which were meticulously discussed by the entire group. Four pertinent questions were submitted for formal GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) evaluation with systematic review of the literature. The guidelines project was initiated by the European Society for Endocrinology and the Pediatric Endocrine Society, in collaboration with members from the European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology, the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, the European Reference Network on Rare Endocrine Conditions, the Society for Endocrinology, and the European Society of Cardiology, Japanese Society for Pediatric Endocrinology, Australia and New Zealand Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Latin American Society for Pediatric Endocrinology, Arab Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, and the Asia Pacific Pediatric Endocrine Society. Advocacy groups appointed representatives for pre-meeting discussions and the consensus meeting.

Growth Hormone Treatment to Final Height in Turner Syndrome: Systematic Review

PURPOSE

Turner syndrome (TS) is the most common sex chromosomal abnormality found in female subjects. It is a result of a partial or complete loss of one of the X chromosomes. Short stature is a hallmark of TS. Attainment of adult height (AH) within the normal range for height within the general female population represents the usual long-term goal of growth hormone (GH) treatment. The aim of this systematic review was to understand the efficacy of GH therapy on AH of patients with TS.

METHODS

The literature review yielded for analysis 9 articles published from 2010 to 2021. Using the data from this literature search, the goal was to answer 5 questions: (1) What is the efficacy of GH on AH of girls with TS?; (2) Is AH influenced by the age at initiation of GH treatment?; (3) What is the optimal dose of GH to improve AH?; (4) Can the timing of either spontaneous or induced puberty influence AH?; and (5) Can the karyotype influence AH in patients with TS?

FINDINGS

GH therapy and adequate dose could enable patients with TS to achieve appropriate AH compared with the possible final height without therapy. The greatest increase in height during GH therapy occurs in the prepubertal years, and if therapy is continued to AH, there is no further increase. Furthermore, karyotype did not show a predictive value on height prognosis and did not affect the outcome of GH administration or the height gain in girls with TS.

IMPLICATIONS

Even if GH therapy is safe, close monitoring is indicated and recommended. Further evidence is needed to understand what other parameters may influence AH in patients undergoing GH therapy.

Early GH Treatment Is Effective and Well Tolerated in Children With Turner Syndrome: NordiNet® IOS and Answer Program

CONTEXT

Despite having normal growth hormone (GH) secretion, individuals with Turner syndrome (TS) have short stature. Treatment with recombinant human GH is recommended for TS girls with short stature.

OBJECTIVE

This work aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Norditropin (somatropin, Novo Nordisk) with up to 10 years of follow-up in children with TS.

METHODS

Secondary analysis was conducted of Norditropin data from 2 non-interventional studies: NordiNet® IOS (NCT00960128) and the ANSWER program (NCT01009905).

RESULTS

A total of 2377 girls with TS were included in the safety analysis set (SAS), with 1513 in the treatment-naive effectiveness analysis set (EAS). At the start of treatment, 1273 (84%) participants were prepubertal (EAS); mean (SD) age was 8.8 (3.9) years. Mean (SD) dose received at the start of GH treatment was 0.045 (0.011) mg/kg/day (EAS). Mean (SD) baseline insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) SD score (SDS) was -0.86 (1.52), and mean (SD) duration of GH treatment (SAS) was 3.8 (2.8) years.Height SDS (HSDS) increased throughout follow-up, with near-adult HSDS reached by 264 (17%) participants (mean [SD] -1.99 [0.94]; change from baseline +0.90 [0.85]). During the study, 695 (46%) participants (EAS) entered puberty at a mean (SD) age of 12.7 (1.9) years (whether puberty was spontaneous or induced was unknown). Within the SAS, mean IGF-I SDS (SD) at year 10 was 0.91 (1.69); change from baseline +1.48 (1.70). Serious adverse reactions were reported in 10 participants (epiphysiolysis [n = 3]).

CONCLUSION

GH-treated participants with TS responded well, without new safety concerns. Our real-world data are in agreement with previous studies.

Normalization of puberty and adult height in girls with Turner syndrome: results of the Swedish Growth Hormone trials initiating transition into adulthood

Objective

To study the impact of GH dose and age at GH start in girls with Turner syndrome (TS), aiming for normal height and age at pubertal onset (PO) and at adult height (AH). However, age at diagnosis will limit treatment possibilities.

Methods

National multicenter investigator-initiated studies (TNR 87-052-01 and TNR 88-072) in girls with TS, age 3-16 years at GH start during year 1987-1998, with AH in 2003-2011. Of the 144 prepubertal girls with TS, 132 girls were followed to AH (intention to treat), while 43 girls reduced dose or stopped treatment prematurely, making n=89 for Per Protocol population. Age at GH start was 3-9 years (young; n=79) or 9-16 years (old; n=53). Treatment given were recombinant human (rh)GH (Genotropin^® Kabi Peptide Hormones, Sweden) 33 or 67 µg/kg/day, oral ethinyl-estradiol (2/3) or transdermal 17β-estradiol (1/3), and, after age 11 years, mostly oxandrolone. Gain in height_SDS, AH_SDS, and age at PO and at AH were evaluated.

Results

At GH start, height_SDS was -2.8 (versus non-TS girls) for all subgroups and mean age for young was 5.7 years and that of old was 11.6 years. There was a clear dose-response in both young and old TS girls; the mean difference was (95%CI) 0.66 (-0.91 to -0.26) and 0.57 (-1.0 to -0.13), respectively. The prepubertal gain_SDS (1.3-2.1) was partly lost during puberty (-0.4 to -2.1). Age/height_SDS at PO ranged from 13 years/-0.42 for GH_67young to 15.2 years/-1.47 for GH_33old. At AH, GH_67old group became tallest (17.2 years; 159.9 cm; -1.27 SDS; total gain_SDS, 1.55) compared to GH_67young group being least delayed (16.1 years; 157.1 cm; -1.73 SDS; total, 1.08). The shortest was the GH_33young group (17.3 years; 153.7 cm: -2.28 SDS; total gain_SDS, 0.53), and the most delayed was the GH_33old group, (18.5 years; 156.5 cm; -1.82 SDS; total gain_SDS, 0.98).

Conclusion

For both young and old TS girls, there was a GH-dose growth response, and for the young, there was less delayed age at PO and at AH. All four groups reached an AH within normal range, despite partly losing the prepubertal gain during puberty. Depending on age at diagnosis, low age at start with higher GH dose resulted in greater prepubertal height gain, permitting estrogen to start earlier at normal age and attaining normal AH at normal age, favoring physiological treatment and possibly also bone health, hearing, uterine growth and fertility, psychosocial wellbeing during adolescence, and the transition to adulthood.

Sex dimorphism of weight and length at birth: evidence based on disorders of sex development

BACKGROUND

Males have higher weight and length at birth than females.

AIM

To verify the influence of the Y chromosome and the action of intrauterine androgens on weight and length at birth of children with Disorders of Sex Development (DSD).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional and retrospective study. Patients with Turner syndrome (TS), complete (XX and XY), mixed (45,X/46,XY) and partial (XY) gonadal dysgenesis (GD), complete (CAIS) and partial (PAIS) androgen insensitivity syndromes and XX and XY congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) were included. Weight and length at birth were evaluated.

RESULTS

Weight and length at birth were lower in TS and mixed GD when compared to XY and XX DSD cases. In turn, patients with increased androgen action (117 cases) had higher weight and length at birth when compared to those with absent (108 cases) and decreased (68 cases) production/action. In birthweight, there was a negative influence of the 45,X/46,XY karyotype and a positive influence of increased androgen and gestational age. In birth length, there was a negative influence of the 45,X and 45,X/46,XY karyotypes and also a positive influence of increased androgen and gestational age.

CONCLUSIONS

The sex dimorphism of weight and length at birth could possibly be influenced by intrauterine androgenic action.

Growth in girls with Turner syndrome

Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder affecting females characterized by short stature and gonadal dysgenesis. Untreated girls with TS reportedly are approximately 20-cm shorter than normal girls within their respective populations. The growth patterns of girls with TS also differ from those of the general population. They are born a little smaller than the normal population possibly due to a mild developmental delay in the uterus. After birth, their growth velocity declines sharply until 2 years of age, then continues to decline gradually until the pubertal age of normal children and then drops drastically around the pubertal period of normal children because of the lack of a pubertal spurt. After puberty, their growth velocity increases a little because of the lack of epiphyseal closure. A secular trend in height growth has been observed in girls with TS so growth in excess of the secular trend should be used wherever available in evaluating the growth in these girls. Growth hormone (GH) has been used to accelerate growth and is known to increase adult height. Estrogen replacement treatment is also necessary for most girls with TS because of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. Therefore, both GH therapy and estrogen replacement treatment are essential in girls with TS. An optimal treatment should be determined considering both GH treatment and age-appropriate induction of puberty. In this review, we discuss the growth in girls with TS, including overall growth, pubertal growth, the secular trend, growth-promoting treatment, and sex hormone replacement treatment.

Growth and Adult Height in Girls With Turner Syndrome Following IGF-1 Titrated Growth Hormone Treatment

CONTEXT

Girls with Turner syndrome (TS) suffer linear growth failure, and TS is a registered indication for growth hormone (GH) treatment. GH is classically dosed according to body weight, and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations are recommended to be kept within references according to international guidelines.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of long-term GH treatment in girls with TS following GH dosing by IGF-1 titration.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A retrospective, real-world evidence, observational study consisting of data collected in a single tertiary center from 1991 to 2018.

PATIENTS

A cohort of 63 girls with TS treated with GH by IGF-1 titration with a median duration of 6.7 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 3.4-9.7 years).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Longitudinal measurements of height, IGF-1, and adult height (AH) following GH treatment were evaluated and compared between the different karyotypes (45,X, 45,X/46,XX, or miscellaneous).

RESULTS

Using GH dose titration according to IGF-1, only 6% of girls with TS had supranormal IGF-1 levels. Median dose was 33 µg/kg/day (IQR: 28-39 µg/kg/day) with no difference between the karyotype groups. AH was reached for 73% who attained a median AH of 1.25 standard deviation score (SDS) for age specific TS references (IQR: 0.64-1.50 SDS), and a median gain in height (ΔHSDS: AH SDS minus baseline height SDS of TS references) of 0.50 SDS, equal to 3.2 cm (SD 7.68) for all karyotypes.

CONCLUSION

Our real-world evidence study suggested that titration of GH dose to keep IGF-1 levels within the normal range resulted in a lower AH gain than in studies where a fixed dose was used.

Turner Syndrome Growth Charts: A Western India Experience

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Disease specific growth charts are useful to monitor growth and disease progress in specific disorders such as Turner syndrome. As there is a paucity of data on spontaneous growth of Indian girls with Turner syndrome, the objectives were to construct reference curves for height and assess height velocity in Indian girls with Turner syndrome from 5 centers from western India.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Three hundred forty-eight readings of height and weight on 113 genetically proven girls with Turner Syndrome from 5 centers from western India were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Data were collected over the last 2 decades (GH treatment naive girls were included). The method described by Lyon et al. was used to compute smoothed standard deviations and percentiles for height. For computing growth velocities, longitudinal data were used on 104 untreated girls (longitudinal readings for height for a minimum of 3 years were used). Midparental height z scores (MPHZ) were computed.

RESULTS

In girls with Turner syndrome, the mean adult height was found to be 140.1 cm. Height velocity was low at all ages compared to normal girls with a notable difference beyond the age of 10 years where normally, a growth spurt is expected. The MPH Z-score correlated positively with the height Z-score. The 3^rd, 50^th, and 97^th height percentiles of Turner girls at all ages were lower than normal girls' charts.

CONCLUSION

Turner syndrome charts for height are presented; these charts may be used to monitor growth in girls with Turner syndrome.

Mowat-Wilson syndrome: growth charts

BACKGROUND

Mowat-Wilson syndrome (MWS; OMIM #235730) is a genetic condition caused by heterozygous mutations or deletions of the ZEB2 gene. It is characterized by moderate-severe intellectual disability, epilepsy, Hirschsprung disease and multiple organ malformations of which congenital heart defects and urogenital anomalies are the most frequent ones. To date, a clear description of the physical development of MWS patients does not exist. The aim of this study is to provide up-to-date growth charts specific for infants and children with MWS. Charts for males and females aged from 0 to 16 years were generated using a total of 2865 measurements from 99 MWS patients of different ancestries. All data were collected through extensive collaborations with the Italian MWS association (AIMW) and the MWS Foundation. The GAMLSS package for the R statistical computing software was used to model the growth charts. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and head circumference were compared to those from standard international growth charts for healthy children.

RESULTS

In newborns, weight and length were distributed as in the general population, while head circumference was slightly smaller, with an average below the 30th centile. Up to the age of 7 years, weight and height distribution was shifted to slightly lower values than in the general population; after that, the difference increased further, with 50% of the affected children below the 5th centile of the general population. BMI distribution was similar to that of non-affected children until the age of 7 years, at which point values in MWS children increased with a less steep slope, particularly in males. Microcephaly was sometimes present at birth, but in most cases it developed gradually during infancy; many children had a small head circumference, between the 3rd and the 10th centile, rather than being truly microcephalic (at least 2 SD below the mean). Most patients were of slender build.

CONCLUSIONS

These charts contribute to the understanding of the natural history of MWS and should assist pediatricians and other caregivers in providing optimal care to MWS individuals who show problems related to physical growth. This is the first study on growth in patients with MWS.

Growing up different in Neolithic China: A contextualised case study and differential diagnosis of a young adult with skeletal dysplasia

This paper presents a case study of a young adult from the late Neolithic Yangshao cultural period site (∼3300-2900 years BC) of Guanjia () located in Henan Province on the Central Plains of China, who has evidence for skeletal dysplasia characterised by proportional stunting of the long bones and a small axial skeleton, generalised osteopenia, and non-fusion of epiphyses. We provide a detailed differential diagnosis of skeletal dysplasia with paediatric onset and conclude that this is likely a form of hypopituitarism or hypothyroidism, an extremely rare finding within the archaeological context. This paper highlights the issues of distinguishing the forms of proportional dwarfism in palaeopathology because of the considerable variation in manifestation of these conditions. Finally, we assess whether there were any health and social implications for this person and community through the consideration of a bioarchaeology of care approach across the lifecourse, burial context, and information on social perceptions of 'difference' in the community. ：： （3300～2900）。，，，，。，，。。，。，、、""，。.

Machine learning-based prediction of response to growth hormone treatment in Turner syndrome: the LG Growth Study

Background Growth hormone (GH) treatment has become a common practice in Turner syndrome (TS). However, there are only a few studies on the response to GH treatment in TS. The aim of this study is to predict the responsiveness to GH treatment and to suggest a prediction model of height outcome in TS. Methods The clinical parameters of 105 TS patients registered in the LG Growth Study (LGS) were retrospectively reviewed. The prognostic factors for the good responders were identified, and the prediction of height response was investigated by the random forest (RF) method, and also, multiple regression models were applied. Results In the RF method, the most important predictive variable for the increment of height standard deviation score (SDS) during the first year of GH treatment was chronologic age (CA) at start of GH treatment. The RF method also showed that the increment of height SDS during the first year was the most important predictor in the increment of height SDS after 3 years of treatment. In a prediction model by multiple regression, younger CA was the significant predictor of height SDS gain during the first year (32.4% of the variability). After 3 years of treatment, mid-parental height (MPH) and the increment of height SDS during the first year were identified as significant predictors (76.6% of the variability). Conclusions Both the machine learning approach and the multiple regression model revealed that younger CA at the start of GH treatment was the most important factor related to height response in patients with TS.

World Health Organization's Growth Reference Overestimates the Prevalence of Severe Malnutrition in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia in Africa

Anthropometric indices are widely used to assess the health and nutritional status of children. We tested the hypothesis that the 2007 World Health Organization (WHO) reference for assessment of malnutrition in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) overestimates the prevalence of severe malnutrition when compared to a previously constructed SCA-specific reference. We applied the WHO and SCA-specific references to children with SCA aged 5–12 years living in northern Nigeria (Primary Prevention of Stroke in Children with SCA in sub-Saharan Africa (SPRING) trial) to determine the difference in prevalence of severe malnutrition defined as body mass index (BMI) Z-score <−3 and whether severe malnutrition was associated with lower mean hemoglobin levels or abnormal transcranial Doppler measurements (>200 cm/s). A total of 799 children were included in the final analysis (median age 8.2 years (interquartile range (IQR) 6.4–10.4)). The application of the WHO reference resulted in lower mean BMI than the SCA-specific reference (−2.3 versus −1.2; p < 0.001, respectively). The use of the WHO reference when compared to the SCA-specific reference population also resulted in a higher prevalence of severe malnutrition (28.6% vs. 6.4%; p < 0.001). The WHO reference significantly overestimates the prevalence of severe malnutrition in children with SCA when compared to an SCA-specific reference. Regardless of the reference population, severe malnutrition was not associated with lower mean hemoglobin levels or abnormal transcranial Doppler (TCD) measurements.

Optimal Pubertal Induction in Girls with Turner Syndrome Using Either Oral or Transdermal Estradiol: A Proposed Modern Strategy

BACKGROUND

Most girls with Turner syndrome (TS) require pubertal induction with estrogen, followed by long term replacement. However, no adequately powered prospective studies comparing transdermal with oral 17β-estradiol administration exist. This reflects the difficulty of securing funding to study a rare condition with relatively low morbidity/mortality when competing against conditions such as cancer and vascular disease. Protocol Consensus: The TS Working Group of the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) has agreed to both a 3-year oral and a 3-year transdermal regimen for pubertal induction. Prerequisites include suitable 17β-estradiol tablets and matrix patches to allow the delivery of incremental doses based on body weight. Study Proposal: An international prospective cohort study with single centre analysis is proposed in which clinicians and families are invited to choose either of the agreed regimens, usually starting at 11 years. We hypothesise that pubertal induction with transdermal estradiol will result in better outcomes for some key parameters. The primary outcome measure chosen is height gain during the induction period.

ANALYSIS

Assessment of the demographics and drop-out rates of patients choosing either oral or transdermal preparations; and appropriate analysis of outcomes including pubertal height gain, final height, liver enzyme and lipid profile, adherence/acceptability, cardiovascular health, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure and aortic root diameter and bone health.

CONCLUSION

The proposed model of prospective data collection according to internationally agreed protocols aims to break the current impasse in obtaining evidence-based management for TS and could be applied to other rare paediatric endocrine conditions.

The importance of anthropological methods in the diagnosis of rare diseases

Most of inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) and rare endocrine-metabolic diseases (REMD) are rare diseases. According to the European Commission on Public Health, a rare disease is defined, based on its prevalence, as one affecting one in 2000 people. Many IEMs affect body stature, cause craniofacial abnormalities, and disturb the developmental process. Therefore, body proportion, dysmorphic characteristics, and morphological parameters must be assessed and closely monitored. This can be achieved only with the help of an anthropologist who has adequate tools. This is why the role of an anthropologist in collaboration with the physician in the diagnostic process is not to be underestimated. Clinical anthropologists contribute to assessing physical development and improve our understanding of the natural history of rare metabolic diseases. This paper presents anthropometric techniques and methods, such as analysis of demographic data, anthropometric parameters at birth, percentile charts, growth patterns, bioimpedance, somatometric profiles, craniofacial profiles, body proportion indices, and mathematical models of growth curves used in certain rare diseases. Contemporary anthropological methods play an important role in the diagnostic process of rare genetic diseases.

Height outcome of the recombinant human growth hormone treatment in Turner syndrome: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to determine the effect of the recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment of Turner syndrome (TS) on height outcome.

METHODS

We searched in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. A literature search identified 640 records. After screening and full-text assessment, 11 records were included in the systematic review. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. We also assessed the quality of evidence with the GRADE system.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, rhGH therapy led to increased final height (MD = 7.22 cm, 95% CI 5.27-9.18, P < 0.001, I2 = 4%; P = 0.18), height standard deviation (HtSDS) (SMD = 1.22, 95% CI 0.88-1.56, P < 0.001, I2 = 49%; P = 0.14) and height velocity (HV) (MD 2.68 cm/year; 95% CI 2.34, 3.02; P < 0.001, I2 = 0%; P = 0.72). There was a small increase in bone age (SMD 0.32 years; 95% CI 0.1, 0.54; P = 0.004, I2 = 73%; P = 0.02) after rhGH therapy for 12 months. What is more, the rhGH/oxandrolone combination therapy suggested greater final height (MD 2.46 cm; 95% CI 0.73, 4.18; P = 0.005, I2 = 32%; P = 0.22), increase and faster HV (SMD 1.67 cm/year; 95% CI 1.03, 2.31; P < 0.03, I2 = 80%; P < 0.001), with no significant increase in HtSDS and bone maturation compared with rhGH therapy alone.

CONCLUSIONS

For TS patients, rhGH alone or with concomitant use of oxandrolone treatment had advantages on final height.

Aneuploidy in dizygotic twin sheep detected using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism data from two commonly used commercial vendors

Early detection of karyotype abnormalities, including aneuploidy, could aid producers in identifying animals which, for example, would not be suitable candidate parents. Genome-wide genetic marker data in the form of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are now being routinely generated on animals. The objective of the present study was to describe the statistics that could be generated from the allele intensity values from such SNP data to diagnose karyotype abnormalities; of particular interest was whether detection of aneuploidy was possible with both commonly used genotyping platforms in agricultural species, namely the Applied BiosystemsTM AxiomTM and the Illumina platform. The hypothesis was tested using a case study of a set of dizygotic X-chromosome monosomy 53,X sheep twins. Genome-wide SNP data were available from the Illumina platform (11 082 autosomal and 191 X-chromosome SNPs) on 1848 male and 8954 female sheep and available from the AxiomTM platform (11 128 autosomal and 68 X-chromosome SNPs) on 383 female sheep. Genotype allele intensity values, either as their original raw values or transformed to logarithm intensity ratio (LRR), were used to accurately diagnose two dizygotic (i.e. fraternal) twin 53,X sheep, both of which received their single X chromosome from their sire. This is the first reported case of 53,X dizygotic twins in any species. Relative to the X-chromosome SNP genotype mean allele intensity values of normal females, the mean allele intensity value of SNP genotypes on the X chromosome of the two females monosomic for the X chromosome was 7.45 to 12.4 standard deviations less, and were easily detectable using either the AxiomTM or Illumina genotype platform; the next lowest mean allele intensity value of a female was 4.71 or 3.3 standard deviations less than the population mean depending on the platform used. Both 53,X females could also be detected based on the genotype LRR although this was more easily detectable when comparing the mean LRR of the X chromosome of each female to the mean LRR of their respective autosomes. On autopsy, the ovaries of the two sheep were small for their age and evidence of prior ovulation was not appreciated. In both sheep, the density of primordial follicles in the ovarian cortex was lower than normally found in ovine ovaries and primary follicle development was not observed. Mammary gland development was very limited. Results substantiate previous studies in other species that aneuploidy can be readily detected using SNP genotype allele intensity values generally already available, and the approach proposed in the present study was agnostic to genotype platform.

The Natural History of Metabolic Comorbidities in Turner Syndrome from Childhood to Early Adulthood: Comparison between 45,X Monosomy and Other Karyotypes

OBJECTIVE

Patients with Turner syndrome (TS) are at increased risk for metabolic disorders. We aimed to delineate the occurrence and evolution of metabolic comorbidities in TS patients and to determine whether these differ in 45,X monosomy and other karyotypes.

METHODS

A longitudinal and cross-sectional retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary pediatric endocrine unit during 1980-2016. Ninety-eight TS patients, 30 with 45,X monosomy were followed from childhood to early adulthood. Outcome measures included weight status, blood pressure (BP), glucose metabolism, and lipid profile.

RESULTS

Longitudinal analysis showed a significant change in body mass index (BMI) percentiles over time [F(3,115) = 4.8, P = 0.003]. Age was associated with evolution of elevated BP [systolic BP: odds ratio (OR) = 0.91, P = 0.003; diastolic BP: OR = 0.93, P = 0.023], impaired glucose metabolism (HbA1c: OR = 1.08, P = 0.029; impaired glucose tolerance: OR = 1.12, P = 0.029), and abnormal lipid profile (cholesterol: OR = 1.06, P = 0.01; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: OR = 1.07, P = 0.041; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: OR = 1.07, P = 0.033). The occurrence of metabolic comorbidities was similar in 45,X monosomy and other karyotypes. Coexistence of multiple metabolic comorbidities was significantly higher in 45,X monosomy [F(1,72) = 4.81, P = 0.032]. BMI percentiles were positively correlated with metabolic comorbidities (occurrence and number) in each patient (r = 0.35, P = 0.002 and r = 0.383, P = 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our longitudinal study provides unique insights into the evolution of weight gain and metabolic disorders from childhood to early adulthood in TS patients. Since overweight and increasing age aggravate the risk for metabolic comorbidities, careful surveillance is warranted to prevent and control obesity already from childhood. The more prominent clustering of metabolic comorbidities in 45,X monosomy underscores the importance of a more vigorous intervention in this group.

Development of disease-specific growth charts in Turner syndrome and Noonan syndrome

Many congenital diseases are associated with growth failure, and patients with these diseases have specific growth patterns. As the growth patterns of affected individuals differ from those of normal populations, it is challenging to detect additional conditions that can influence growth using standard growth charts. Disease-specific growth charts are thus very useful tools and can be helpful for understanding the growth pattern and pathogenesis of congenital diseases. In addition, disease-specific growth charts allow doctors to detect deviations from the usual growth patterns for early diagnosis of an additional condition and can be used to evaluate the effects of growth-promoting treatment for patients. When developing these charts, factors that can affect the reliability of the charts should be considered. These factors include the definition of the disease with growth failure, selection bias in the measurements used to develop the charts, secular trends of the subjects, the numbers of subjects of varying ages and ethnicities, and the statistical method used to develop the charts. In this review, we summarize the development of disease-specific growth charts for Japanese individuals with Turner syndrome and Noonan syndrome and evaluate the efforts to collect unbiased measurements of subjects with these diseases. These charts were the only available disease-specific growth charts of Turner syndrome and Noonan syndrome for Asian populations and were developed using a Japanese population. Therefore, when these charts are adopted for Asian populations other than Japanese, different growth patterns should be considered.

Axial and appendicular body proportions for evaluation of limb and trunk asymmetry

Background and purpose - When children with irregular body proportions or asymmetric limbs present, it may be unclear where the pathology is located. An improved understanding of the clinical ratio between upper extremity, lower extremity, and spine length may help elucidate whether there is disproportion between the trunk and limbs, and whether there is a reduction deficit of the shorter limb rather than hypertrophy of the longer limb. Patients and methods - We used the Brush Foundation study of child growth and development, which was a prospective, longitudinal study of healthy children between the 1930s and the 1950s, and we collected serial clinical measurements for 290 children at 3,326 visits. Children ranged from 2 to 20 years of age during the study period. Linear and quadratic regression were used to construct nomographs and 95% prediction intervals for anthropometric body proportions. Results - The maximum anterior superior iliac spine height to sitting height ratio occurred at 12.4 years in females and at 14.17 years in males. Overall, the ratio of arm length to sitting height was 0.76 (SD 0.06), the ratio of arm length to anterior superior iliac spine height was 0.76 (SD 0.03), and the ratio of anterior superior iliac spine height to sitting height was 0.98 (SD 0.13). When comparing ratios between arm length, anterior superior iliac spine height, and sitting height, the smallest variance between appendicular proportions was found in the arm length to anterior superior iliac spine height ratio. Interpretation - We recommend comparisons between total arm length and anterior superior iliac spine height to distinguish limb reduction deficits from hemi-hypertrophy, with sitting height being used only if combined upper and lower extremity discrepancy is noted.

Obstetric care in women with genetic disorders

The management of pregnant women who are themselves affected with genetic diseases is an increasingly relevant and important issue. Improvements in early diagnosis and management of genetic disease, as well as advances in assisted reproductive technology have impacted pregnancy rates in a cohort of women who may not have otherwise been able to conceive. A multidisciplinary approach is key to the management of pregnant women with complex health conditions, including genetic diseases. Pertinent issues should be addressed in the preconception, antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum periods to optimize maternal and fetal health. Additionally, counseling regarding risk of inheritance in offspring and options for prenatal diagnosis should be reviewed if available. This reviews aims to help provide background and insight into the management strategies for various commonly encountered and complex genetic conditions in the setting of pregnancy.

Gradually increasing ethinyl estradiol for Turner syndrome may produce good final height but not ideal BMD

Estrogen replacement therapy in Turner syndrome should theoretically mimic the physiology of healthy girls. The objective of this study was to describe final height and bone mineral density (BMD) in a group of 17 Turner syndrome patients (group E) who started their ethinyl estradiol therapy with an ultra-low dosage (1-5 ng/kg/day) from 9.8-13.7 years. The subjects in group E had been treated with GH 0.35 mg/kg/week since the average age of 7.4 years. The 30 subjects in group L, one of the historical groups, were given comparable doses of GH, and conjugated estrogen 0.3125 mg/week ∼0.3125 mg/day was initiated at 12.2-18.7 years. The subjects in group S, the other historical group, were 21 patients who experienced breast development and menarche spontaneously. Final height (height gain < 2 cm/year) in group E was 152.4 ± 3.4 cm and the standard deviation (SD) was 2.02 ± 0.62 for Turner syndrome. The final height in group L was 148.5 ± 3.0 cm with a SD of 1.30 ± 0.55, which was significantly different from the values for group E. The volumetric BMD of group S (0.290 ± 0.026 g/cm³) was significantly different from that of group L or E (0.262 or 0.262 g/cm³ as a mean, respectively). This is the first study of patients with Turner syndrome where estrogen was administered initially in an ultra-low dose and then increased gradually. Our estrogen therapy in group E produced good final height but not ideal BMD.

Weight gain in Turner Syndrome: association to puberty induction? - longitudinal analysis of KIGS data

CONTEXT

Girls with Turner Syndrome (TS) treated or not treated with growth hormone (GH) are prone to overweight. Therefore, we hypothesize that puberty induction in TS is associated with weight gain.

METHODS

We analyzed weight changes (BMI-SDS) between onset of GH treatment and near adult height (NAH) in 887 girls with TS enrolled in KIGS (Pfizer International Growth Database). Puberty was induced with estrogens in 646 (72·8%) girls with TS.

RESULTS

Weight status did not change significantly between GH treatment start and 1 year later (mean difference -0·02 BMI-SDS), but increased significantly (P < 0·001) until NAH (+0·40 BMI-SDS). The BMI-SDS increased +0·21 until start of puberty (P < 0·001). Girls with spontaneous and induced puberty showed similar BMI-SDS changes. Puberty induction at ≥12 years was associated with a significant (P < 0·001) less increase of BMI-SDS (+0·7 BMI-SDS) between baseline and NAH compared to puberty induction at <12 year (+1·0 BMI-SDS). In multiple linear regression analyses changes of BMI-SDS between baseline and NAH were negatively associated with baseline BMI-SDS (P < 0·001), GH doses (P = 0·015), and age at puberty induction (P < 0·001), positively with years on GH treatment (P = 0·004), while duration and dose of estrogens, its route of administration (transdermal/oral), changes of height-SDS, thyroxin and oxandrolone treatment, and karyotype did not correlate significantly to changes of BMI-SDS in this time period.

CONCLUSIONS

Puberty does not seem to play a major role in weight gain in girls with TS since the majority of the increases in BMI-SDS occurred before puberty. However, late puberty induction seems to decrease the risk of weight gain.

Triploidy mosaicism (45,X/68,XX) in an infant presenting with failure to thrive

Triploid mosaicism is a rare aneuploidy syndrome characterized by growth retardation, developmental delay, 3-4 syndactyly, microphthalmia, coloboma, cleft lip and/or palate, genitourinary anomalies, and facial or body asymmetry. In the present report, we describe a 3-month-old female presenting with failure to thrive, growth retardation, and developmental delay. A chromosomal microarray demonstrated monosomy X, but her atypical phenotype prompted further evaluation with a chromosome analysis, which demonstrated 45,X/68,XX mixoploidy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with this chromosome complement. Mosaicism in chromosomal aneuploidies is likely under-recognized and may obscure the clinical diagnosis. At a time when comparative genomic hybridization and genome sequencing are increasingly used as diagnostic tools, this report highlights the clinical utility of chromosome analysis when a molecular diagnosis is not consistent with the observed phenotype.

Turner Syndrome in Girls Presenting with Coarctation of the Aorta

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the frequency of Turner syndrome in a population-based, statewide cohort of girls with coarctation of the aorta.

STUDY DESIGN

The Utah Birth Defects Network was used to ascertain a cohort of girls between 1997 and 2011 with coarctation of the aorta. Livebirths with isolated coarctation of the aorta or transverse arch hypoplasia were included and patients with complex congenital heart disease not usually seen in Turner syndrome were excluded.

RESULTS

Of 244 girls with coarctation of the aorta, 77 patients were excluded, leaving a cohort of 167 girls; 86 patients (51%) had chromosomal studies and 21 (12.6%) were diagnosed with Turner syndrome. All patients were diagnosed within the first 4 months of life and 5 (24%) were diagnosed prenatally. Fifteen patients (71%) had Turner syndrome-related findings in addition to coarctation of the aorta. Girls with mosaicism were less likely to have Turner syndrome-associated findings (3/6 mosaic girls compared with 12/17 girls with non-mosaic 45,X). Twelve girls (57%) diagnosed with Turner syndrome also had a bicommissural aortic valve.

CONCLUSION

At least 12.6% of girls born with coarctation of the aorta have karyotype-confirmed Turner syndrome. Such a high frequency, combined with the clinical benefits of an early diagnosis, supports genetic screening for Turner syndrome in girls presenting with coarctation of the aorta.

Noonan syndrome and Turner syndrome patients respond similarly to 4 years' growth-hormone therapy: longitudinal analysis of growth-hormone-naïve patients enrolled in the NordiNet® International Outcome Study and the ANSWER Program

Background

Turner syndrome (TS) and Noonan syndrome (NS) are distinct syndromes associated with short stature and other similar phenotypic features. We compared the responses to growth hormone (GH) therapy of TS and NS patients enrolled in the NordiNet® International Outcome Study (IOS) or the American Norditropin Studies: Web-Enabled Research (ANSWER) Program, which collect information on GH therapy in clinical practice.

Methods

Repeated-measures regression analysis was performed on change in height standard deviation score (HSDS) and target-height-corrected HSDS, based on national normal references and treatment-naïve disease-specific references. Models were adjusted for baseline age and HSDS, and average GH dose. The study population was paediatric patients with TS and NS in the NordiNet® IOS and ANSWER Program. Longitudinal growth responses over 4 years were evaluated.

Results

In 30 NS patients (24 males; baseline age 8.39 ± 3.45 years) and 294 TS patients (7.81 ± 3.22 years), 4-year adjusted ΔHSDS were +1.14 ± 0.13 and +1.03 ± 0.04, respectively (national references). Based on untreated, disease-specific references, 4-year adjusted ΔHSDS for NS and TS were +1.48 ± 0.10 and +1.79 ± 0.04. The analyses showed a significant increase in HSDS over time for both NS and TS (P < 0.0001). ΔHSDS in NS was higher with younger baseline age; ΔHSDS in TS was higher for patients with younger baseline age and higher GH dose.

Conclusions

NS and TS patients responded well and similarly over 4 years of GH treatment.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13633-015-0015-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Growth curves for Turkish Girls with Turner Syndrome: Results of the Turkish Turner Syndrome Study Group

OBJECTIVE

Children with Turner syndrome (TS) have a specific growth pattern that is quite different from that of healthy children. Many countries have population-specific growth charts for TS. Considering national and ethnic differences, we undertook this multicenter collaborative study to construct growth charts and reference values for height, weight and body mass index (BMI) from 3 years of age to adulthood for spontaneous growth of Turkish girls with TS.

METHODS

Cross-sectional height and weight data of 842 patients with TS, younger than 18 years of age and before starting any therapy, were evaluated.

RESULTS

The data were processed to calculate the 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 97th percentile values for defined ages and to construct growth curves for height-for-age, weight-for-age and BMI-for-age of girls with TS. The growth pattern of TS girls in this series resembled the growth pattern of TS girls in other reports, but there were differences in height between our series and the others.

CONCLUSION

This study provides disease-specific growth charts for Turkish girls with TS. These disease-specific national growth charts will serve to improve the evaluation of growth and its management with growth-promoting therapeutic agents in TS patients.

Effect of oxandrolone therapy on adult height in Turner syndrome patients treated with growth hormone: a meta-analysis

Turner syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality in which there is complete or partial absence of the X chromosome. Turner syndrome effects 1 in every 2000 live births. Short stature is a cardinal feature of Turner Syndrome and the standard treatment is recombinant human growth hormone. When growth hormone is started at an early age a normal adult height can be achieved. With delayed diagnosis young women with Turner Syndrome may not reach a normal height. Adjuvant therapy with oxandrolone is used but there is no consensus on the optimal timing of treatment, the duration of treatment and the long term adverse effects of treatment. The objective of this review and meta-analysis is to examine the effect of oxandrolone on adult height in growth hormone treated Turner syndrome patients. Eligible trials were identified by a literature search using the terms: Turner syndrome, oxandrolone. The search was limited to English language randomized-controlled trials after 1980. Twenty-six articles were reviewed and four were included in the meta-analysis. A random effects model was used to calculate an effect size and confidence interval. The pooled effect size of 2.0759 (95 % CI 0.0988 to 4.0529) indicates that oxandrolone has a positive effect on adult height in Turner syndrome when combined with growth hormone therapy. In conclusion, the addition of oxandrolone to growth hormone therapy for treatment of short stature in Turner syndrome improves adult height. Further studies are warranted to investigate if there is a subset of Turner syndrome patients that would benefit most from growth hormone plus oxandrolone therapy, and to determine the optimal timing and duration of such therapy.

Safety and efficacy of oxandrolone in growth hormone-treated girls with Turner syndrome: evidence from recent studies and recommendations for use

There has been no consensus regarding the efficacy and safety of oxandrolone (Ox) in addition to growth hormone (GH) in girls with Turner syndrome (TS), the optimal age of starting this treatment, or the optimal dose. This collaborative venture between Dutch, UK and US centers is intended to give a summary of the data from three recently published randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies on the effects of Ox. The published papers from these studies were reviewed within the group of authors to reach consensus about the recommendations. The addition of Ox to GH treatment leads to an increase in adult height, on average 2.3–4.6 cm. If Ox dosages<0.06 mg/kg/day are used, side effects are modest. The most relevant safety concerns are virilization(including clitoromegaly and voice deepening) and a transient delay of breast development. We advise monitoring signs of virilization breast development and possibly blood lipids during Ox treatment, in addition to regular follow-up assessments for TS. In girls with TS who are severely short for age, in whom very short adult stature is anticipated,or in whom the growth rate is modest despite good compliance with GH, adjunctive treatment with Ox at a dosage of 0.03–0.05 mg/kg/day starting from the age of 8–10 years onward scan be considered.

Comparison of body surface area versus weight-based growth hormone dosing for girls with Turner syndrome

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Growth Hormone (GH) dosage in childhood is adjusted for body size, but there is no consensus whether body weight (BW) or body surface area (BSA) should be used. We aimed at comparing the biological effect and cost-effectiveness of GH treatment dosed per m2 BSA in comparison with dosing per kg BW in girls with Turner syndrome (TS).

METHODS

Serum IGF-I, GH dose, and adult height gain (AHG) from girls participating in two Dutch and five Swedish studies on the efficacy of GH were analyzed, and the cumulative GH dose and costs were calculated for both dose adjustment methods. Additional medication included estrogens (if no spontaneous puberty occurred) and oxandrolone in some studies.

RESULTS

At each GH dose, the serum IGF-I standard deviation score remained stable over time after an initial increase after the start of treatment. On a high dose (at 1 m2 equivalent to 0.056-0.067 mg/kg/day), AHG was at least equal on GH dosed per m2 BSA compared with dosing per kg BW. The cumulative dose and cost were significantly lower if the GH dose was adjusted for m2 BSA.

CONCLUSION

Dosing GH per m2 BSA is at least as efficacious as dosing per kg BW, and is more cost-effective.

Factors associated with growth and blood pressure patterns in children with sickle cell anemia: Silent Cerebral Infarct Multi-Center Clinical Trial cohort

Individuals with sickle cell anemia (SCA) exhibit delayed growth trajectories and lower blood pressure (BP) measurements than individuals without SCA. We evaluated factors associated with height, weight, and BP and established reference growth curves and BP tables using data from the Silent Cerebral Infarct Multi-Center Clinical (SIT) Trial (NCT00072761). Quantile regression models were used to determine the percentiles of growth and BP measurements. Multivariable quantile regression was used to test associations of baseline variables with height, weight, and BP measurements. Height and weight measurements were collected from a total of 949 participants with median age of 10.5 years [Interquartile range (IQR) 8.2-12.9] and median follow-up time of 3.2 years (IQR 1.8-4.7, range 0-12.9). Serial BP measurements were collected from a total of 944 and 943 participants, respectively, with median age of 10.6 years (IQR = 8.3-12.9 years), and median follow-up time of 3.3 years (IQR = 1.7-4.8). Multivariable quantile regression analysis revealed that higher hemoglobin measurements at baseline were associated with greater height (P < 0.001), weight (P = 0.000), systolic BP (P < 0.001), and diastolic BP (P = 0.003) measurements. We now provide new reference values for height, weight, and BP measurements that are now readily available for medical management.

Current concepts surrounding bone health and osteoporosis in Turner syndrome

Although Turner syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder in women, a great deal remains to be understood in terms of optimal patient care, particularly as it relates to bone health. These women are known to be at risk for osteoporosis and fracture later in life as a result of a multitude of risk factors. While estrogen replacement and childhood growth hormone treatment are now considered standard of care, little is known of the role of further interventions to prevent and treat osteoporosis in these women. This review aims to highlight the specifics of bone health in Turner syndrome. We explore the bone diagnostic modalities and therapeutic interventions available and their role in the coming years of bone health management in this unique population.

Growth curves for girls with Turner syndrome

The objective of this study was to review the growth curves for Turner syndrome, evaluate the methodological and statistical quality, and suggest potential growth curves for clinical practice guidelines. The search was carried out in the databases Medline and Embase. Of 1006 references identified, 15 were included. Studies constructed curves for weight, height, weight/height, body mass index, head circumference, height velocity, leg length, and sitting height. The sample ranged between 47 and 1,565 (total = 6,273) girls aged 0 to 24 y, born between 1950 and 2006. The number of measures ranged from 580 to 9,011 (total = 28,915). Most studies showed strengths such as sample size, exclusion of the use of growth hormone and androgen, and analysis of confounding variables. However, the growth curves were restricted to height, lack of information about selection bias, limited distributional properties, and smoothing aspects. In conclusion, we observe the need to construct an international growth reference for girls with Turner syndrome, in order to provide support for clinical practice guidelines.

Response to three years of growth hormone therapy in girls with Turner syndrome

PURPOSE

Short stature is the most common finding in patients with Turner syndrome. Improving the final adult height in these patients is a challenge both for the patients and physicians. We investigated the clinical response of patients to growth hormone treatment for height improvement over the period of three years.

METHODS

Review of medical records from 27 patients with Turner syndrome treated with recombinant human growth hormone for more than 3 years was done. Differences in the changes of height standard deviation scores according to karyotype were measured and factors influencing the height changes were analyzed.

RESULTS

The response to recombinant human growth hormone was an increase in the height of the subjects to a mean value of 1.1 standard deviation for subjects with Turner syndrome at the end of the 3-year treatment. The height increment in the first year was highest. The height standard deviation score in the third year was negatively correlated with the age at the beginning of the recombinant human growth hormone treatment. Different karyotypes in subjects did not seem to affect the height changes.

CONCLUSION

Early growth hormone administration in subjects with Turner syndrome is helpful to improve height response to the treatment.

Methods to obtain referral criteria in growth monitoring

An important goal of growth monitoring is to identify genetic disorders, diseases or other conditions that manifest themselves through an abnormal growth. The two main conditions that can be detected by height monitoring are Turner’s syndrome and growth hormone deficiency. Conditions or risk factors that can be detected by monitoring weight or body mass index include hypernatremic dehydration, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis and obesity. Monitoring infant head growth can be used to detect macrocephaly, developmental disorder and ill health in childhood. This paper describes statistical methods to obtain evidence-based referral criteria in growth monitoring. The referral criteria that we discuss are based on either anthropometric measurement(s) at a fixed age using (1) a Centile or a Standard Deviation Score, (2) a Standard Deviation corrected for parental height, (3) a Likelihood Ratio Statistic and (4) an ellipse, or on multiple measurements over time using (5) a growth rate and (6) a growth curve model. We review the potential uses of these methods, and outline their strengths and limitations.

Long-term effects of previous oxandrolone treatment in adult women with Turner syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Short stature is a prominent feature of Turner syndrome (TS), which is partially overcome by GH treatment. We have previously reported the results of a trial on the effect of oxandrolone (Ox) in girls with TS. Ox in a dose of 0.03 mg/kg per day (Ox 0.03) significantly increased adult height gain, whereas Ox mg/kg per day (0.06) did not, at the cost of deceleration of breast development and mild virilization. The aim of this follow-up study in adult participants of the pediatric trial was to investigate the long-term effects of previous Ox treatment.

DESIGN AND METHODS

During the previous randomized controlled trial, 133 girls were treated with GH combined with placebo (Pl), Ox 0.03, or Ox 0.06 from 8 years of age and estrogen from 12 years. Sixty-eight women (Pl, n=23; Ox 0.03, n=27; and Ox 0.06, n=18) participated in the double-blind follow-up study (mean age, 24.0 years; mean time since stopping GH, 8.7 years; and mean time of Ox/Pl use, 4.9 years). We assessed height, body proportions, breast size, virilization, and body composition.

RESULTS

Height gain (final minus predicted adult height) was maintained at follow-up (Ox 0.03 10.2±4.9 cm, Ox 0.06 9.7±4.4 cm vs Pl 8.0±4.6 cm). Breast size, Tanner breast stage, and body composition were not different between groups. Ox-treated women reported more subjective virilization and had a lower voice frequency.

CONCLUSION

Ox 0.03 mg/kg per day has a beneficial effect on adult height gain in TS patients. Despite previously reported deceleration of breast development during Ox 0.03 treatment, adult breast size is not affected. Mild virilization persists in only a small minority of patients. The long-term evaluation indicates that Ox 0.03 treatment is effective and safe.

Nutritional differences in neurologically impaired children

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether the recommended nutritional intake of moderately to severely neurologically impaired children is congruent with current growth parameter expectations.

METHODS

Observational cross-sectional study at a children's hospice and a tertiary care children's hospital. Medically stable enterally fed children followed by the palliative care team underwent anthropometric assessment and chart review for diagnosis, intake and medications. Intakes, guidelines and recommendations were compared.

RESULTS

Intakes were less than recommended. All children were <50th percentile weight-for-age, with many <3rd percentile. Fourteen of 15 were in higher percentiles for absolute and relative body fat.

CONCLUSIONS

Recommended dietary intakes were not achieved by these children. Despite this, measures of body fat indicate adequate intake. Low weight values may reflect diagnosis-related growth stunting or decreased muscle mass and bone density from immobility. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Georgia, USA) weight-for-age and body mass index are not suitable measures of adequate intake in this group of children.

Growth failure and outcome in Rett syndrome: specific growth references

OBJECTIVES

Prominent growth failure typifies Rett syndrome (RTT). Our aims were to 1) develop RTT growth charts for clinical and research settings, 2) compare growth in children with RTT with that of unaffected children, and 3) compare growth patterns among RTT genotypes and phenotypes.

METHODS

A cohort of the RTT Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network observational study participants was recruited, and cross-sectional and longitudinal growth data and comprehensive clinical information were collected. A reliability study confirmed interobserver consistency. Reference curves for height, weight, head circumference, and body mass index (BMI), generated using a semiparametric model with goodness-of-fit tests, were compared with normative values using Student's t test adjusted for multiple comparisons. Genotype and phenotype subgroups were compared using analysis of variance and linear regression.

RESULTS

Growth charts for classic and atypical RTT were created from 9,749 observations of 816 female participants. Mean growth in classic RTT decreased below that for the normative population at 1 month for head circumference, 6 months for weight, and 17 months for length. Mean BMI was similar in those with RTT and the normative population. Pubertal increases in height and weight were absent in classic RTT. Classic RTT was associated with more growth failure than atypical RTT. In classic RTT, poor growth was associated with worse development, higher disease severity, and certain MECP2 mutations (pre-C-terminal truncation, large deletion, T158M, R168X, R255X, and R270X).

CONCLUSIONS

RTT-specific growth references will allow effective screening for disease and treatment monitoring. Growth failure occurs less frequently in girls with RTT with better development, less morbidity typically associated with RTT, and late truncation mutations.

Sex hormone replacement in Turner syndrome

The cardinal features of Turner syndrome (TS) are short stature, congenital abnormalities, infertility due to gonadal dysgenesis, with sex hormone insufficiency ensuing from premature ovarian failure, which is involved in lack of proper development of secondary sex characteristics and the frequent osteoporosis seen in Turner syndrome. But sex hormone insufficiency is also involved in the increased cardiovascular risk, state of physical fitness, insulin resistance, body composition, and may play a role in the increased incidence of autoimmunity. Severe morbidity and mortality affects females with Turner syndrome. Recent research emphasizes the need for proper sex hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during the entire lifespan of females with TS and new hypotheses concerning estrogen receptors, genetics and the timing of HRT offers valuable new information. In this review, we will discuss the effects of estrogen and androgen insufficiency as well as the effects of sex HRT on morbidity and mortality with special emphasis on evidence based research and areas needing further studies.

Short stature and its treatment in Turner and Noonan syndromes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We review recent developments in the approach to the treatment of short stature in patients with Turner and Noonan syndromes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Turner syndrome and Noonan syndrome are clinically defined conditions associated with short stature. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) for patients with Turner syndrome in 1996 and for those with Noonan syndrome in 2007. Studies have shown that early appropriate use of hGH increases adult height in individuals with Turner syndrome. The combination of hGH and low-dose estrogen may also improve growth and adult height as well as possibly provide neurocognitive and behavioral benefits. Noonan syndrome is a genetically heterogeneous condition. In patients with Noonan syndrome phenotype, investigators have identified disease-associated genes (PTPN11, SOS1, RAF1, KRAS, and others). Treatment with hGH has been documented to result in short-term increases in growth velocity as well as modest gains in adult height.

SUMMARY

Our understanding and management of short stature in children with Turner syndrome and Noonan syndrome has greatly advanced over the years. Recent developments with focus on these two common syndromes will be reviewed.

Recombinant human growth hormone in the treatment of Turner syndrome

Turner syndrome (TS) is a common chromosomal disorder in women that is associated with the absence of one of the X chromosomes. Severe short stature and a lack of pubertal development characterize TS girls, causing psychosocial problems and reduced bone mass. The growth impairment in TS seems to be due to multiple factors including an abnormal growth hormone (GH) - insulin-like growth factor (IGF) - IGF binding protein axis and haploinsufficiency of the short stature homeobox-containing gene. Growth hormone and sex steroid replacement therapy has enhanced growth, pubertal development, bone mass, and the quality of life of TS girls. Recombinant human GH (hGH) has improved the height potential of TS girls with varied results though, depending upon the dose of hGH and the age of induction of puberty. The best final adult height and peak bone mass achievement results seem to be achieved when hGH therapy is started early and puberty is induced at the normal age of puberty in a regimen mimicking physiologic puberty. The initiation of estradiol therapy at an age-appropriate time may also help the TS patients avoid osteoporosis during adulthood. Recombinant hGH therapy in TS seems to be safe. Studies so far show no adverse effects on cardiac function, glucose metabolism or any association with neoplasms but research is still in progress to provide conclusive data on long-term safety.

Bone age is the best predictor of growth response to recombinant human growth hormone in Turner's syndrome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is approved for use in children with Turner’s syndrome (TS) in most industrialized countries and is recommended in the recently issued guidelines. We determined the growth responses of girls who are treated with rhGH for TS, with an aim to identify the predictors of growth response.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Fifty-six prepubertal girls with TS, documented by peripheral blood karyotype, were enrolled. All the patients received biosynthetic growth hormone therapy with a standard dose of 30 IU/m²/week. The calculated dose per week was divided for 6 days and given subcutaneously at night.

RESULTS:

This study showed that rhGH therapy provides satisfactory auxological results. Bone age delay is to be considered as a predictive factor which may negatively influence the effect of rhGH therapy on final height. The growth velocity in the preceding year is the most important predictor of rhGH therapy response.

CONCLUSION:

These observations help us to guide rhGH prescription, to reduce the risks and costs.

Proposal of new auxological standards for Japanese girls with turner syndrome

We recently published new reference growth charts for Japanese girls with Turner syndrome (TS) based on the cross-sectional data of 1,447 subjects beyond the secular trend of growth in Japan. This study was undertaken for their validation and, if necessary, modification before general application. For validation, 24 subjects who had data both at younger (≤5 yr) and older ages (≥13 yr) were used. We analyzed the concordance/discordance of their height standard deviation score (SDS) defined by the charts between the two age periods. For modification, the LMS method was used with 5,772 longitudinal measurements obtained both from the previously analyzed subjects and 118 newly recruited subjects who had been followed up at the National Center for Child Health and Development or Toranomon Hospital. Significant and critical discordance (mean difference, 1.95 SDS; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.53-2.36; p<0.0001) was detected in height SDS. This prompted us to perform the modifications. A similar analysis using the modified charts revealed no significant discordance (mean difference, 0.27 SDS; 95%CI: -0.17 - 0.71; p=0.22). They seem more adequate for clinical applications for girls with TS born after 1970. New auxological standards for Japanese girls with TS were proposed.

Malnutrition in pediatric hospital patients: current issues

Malnutrition in hospitalized children is still very prevalent, especially in children with underlying disease and clinical conditions. The purpose of this review is to describe current issues that have to be taken into account when interpreting prevalence data. Weight-for-height and height-for-age standard deviation scores are used for classification for acute and chronic malnutrition, respectively. Body mass index for age can also be used for the definition of acute malnutrition but has a few advantages in the general pediatric population. The new World Health Organization child-growth charts can be used as reference but there is a risk of over- and underestimation of malnutrition rates compared with country-specific growth references. For children with specific medical conditions and syndromes, specific growth references should be used for appropriate interpretation of nutritional status. New screening tools are available to identify children at risk for developing malnutrition during admission. Because of the diversity of medical conditions and syndromes in hospitalized children, assessment of nutritional status and interpretation of anthropometric data need a tailored approach.

The effect of the weak androgen oxandrolone on psychological and behavioral characteristics in growth hormone-treated girls with Turner syndrome

The weak androgen oxandrolone (Ox) increases height gain in growth-hormone (GH) treated girls with Turner syndrome (TS), but may also give rise to virilizing side effects. To assess the effect of Ox, at a conventional and low dosage, on behavior, aggression, romantic and sexual interest, mood, and gender role in GH-treated girls with TS, a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was conducted. 133 patients were treated with GH (1.33 mg/m(2)/d) from baseline, combined with placebo (Pl), Ox 0.03 mg/kg/d, or Ox 0.06 mg/kg/d from the age of eight, and with estrogens from the age of 12. The child behavior checklist (CBCL), Junior Dutch Personality Questionnaire (DPQ-J), State-subscale of the Spielberger's State-Trait Anger Scale, Romantic and Sexual Interest Questionnaire, Mood Questionnaire, and Gender Role Questionnaire were filled out before, during, and after discontinuing Ox/Pl. The changes during Ox/Pl therapy were not significantly different between the dosage groups. In untreated patients, the mean CBCL total (P=0.002) and internalizing (P=0.003) T scores, as well as the mean DPQ-J social inadequacy SD score (SDS) (P=0.004) were higher than in reference girls, but decreased during GH+Ox/Pl therapy (P<0.001, P=0.05, P<0.001, respectively). Whereas the mean total (P=0.01) and internalizing (P<0.001) T score remained relatively high, the mean social inadequacy SDS became comparable with reference values. We conclude that in GH-treated girls with TS, Ox 0.03 mg/kg/d or 0.06 mg/kg/d does not cause evident psychological virilizing side effects. Problem behavior, frequently present in untreated girls with TS, decreases during therapy, but total and internalizing problem behavior remain increased.

Efficacy and safety of oxandrolone in growth hormone-treated girls with turner syndrome

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE

GH therapy increases growth and adult height in Turner syndrome (TS). The benefit to risk ratio of adding the weak androgen oxandrolone (Ox) to GH is unclear.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, dose-response study was performed in 10 centers in The Netherlands. One hundred thirty-three patients with TS were included in age group 1 (2-7.99 yr), 2 (8-11.99 yr), or 3 (12-15.99 yr). Patients were treated with GH (1.33 mg/m(2) . d) from baseline, combined with placebo (Pl) or Ox in low (0.03 mg/kg . d) or conventional (0.06 mg/kg . d) dose from the age of 8 yr and estrogens from the age of 12 yr. Adult height gain (adult height minus predicted adult height) and safety parameters were systematically assessed.

RESULTS

Compared with GH+Pl, GH+Ox 0.03 increased adult height gain in the intention-to-treat analysis (mean +/- sd, 9.5 +/- 4.7 vs. 7.2 +/- 4.0 cm, P = 0.02) and per-protocol analysis (9.8 +/- 4.9 vs. 6.8 +/- 4.4 cm, P = 0.02). Partly due to accelerated bone maturation (P < 0.001), adult height gain on GH+Ox 0.06 was not significantly different from that on GH+Pl (8.3 +/- 4.7 vs. 7.2 +/- 4.0 cm, P = 0.3). Breast development was slower on GH+Ox (GH+Ox 0.03, P = 0.02; GH+Ox 0.06, P = 0.05), and more girls reported virilization on GH+Ox 0.06 than on GH+Pl (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In GH-treated girls with TS, we discourage the use of the conventional Ox dosage (0.06 mg/kg . d) because of its low benefit to risk ratio. The addition of Ox 0.03 mg/kg . d modestly increases adult height gain and has a fairly good safety profile, except for some deceleration of breast development.

Diagnóstico da Síndrome de Turner: a experiência do Instituto Estadual de Diabetes e Endocrinologia - Rio de Janeiro, de 1970 a 2008

OBJETIVOS: descrever a experiência no diagnóstico da Síndrome de Turner (ST), focalizando a distribuição dos cromossomos, a idade, os sinais e sintomas característicos, conforme as fases da vida (lactância, infância, adolescência e adulta). MÉTODOS: estudo descritivo com 178 pacientes, atendidos de 1970 até 2008. Para análise estatística das diferenças percentuais usou-se o Epi-Info-2000 e para as diferenças entre as médias de idades o teste t de Student e o ANOVA. RESULTADOS: os cariótipos encontrados foram: 79 com 45,X (35,4%), 36 com isocromossomo Xq (20,2%) e 63 com outros mosaicos (35,4%). A média de idade do diagnóstico foi de 12,6 anos, sendo menor naquelas com 45,X. Tiveram o diagnóstico feito na lactância 11,3% das pacientes, 25,3% na infância, 51,1% na adolescência e 12,4% na fase adulta. Daquelas diagnosticadas antes dos cinco anos de idade, 70,6% apresentaram 45,X. Os sinais que levaram à suspeita diagnóstica na lactância foram o pescoço alado e o linfedema congênito de pés/mãos associados às dismorfias típicas; na infância e adolescência foi a baixa estatura. Cubitus valgus foi encontrado em 72,5% das pacientes e orelhas anômalas em 65% das pacientes diagnosticadas com menos de um ano de idade. CONCLUSÃO: o diagnóstico da ST é desnecessariamente atrasado, levando-se em consideração que algumas características típicas podem já estar presentes desde o nascimento.

New reference growth charts for Japanese girls with Turner syndrome

BACKGROUND

Currently used growth charts for Japanese girls with Turner syndrome (TS) were constructed with auxological data obtained before the secular trend in growth reached a plateau. These charts were published in 1992 and may no longer be valid for the evaluation of stature and growth in girls with TS in clinical settings. Thus, we need to establish new clinical growth charts.

METHODS

The samples for analysis were obtained by a retrospective cohort study. A total of 1867 Japanese girls with TS were registered between 1991 and 2004 for growth hormone (GH) treatment and their pretreatment anthropometric measurements were obtained. Reference growth charts were newly constructed using the LMS method from 1447 girls' cross-sectional data after exclusion of measurements derived from those with the presence of puberty, with previous growth-promoting treatment, or without cytogenetic evidence of TS.

RESULTS

The new clinical reference growth charts differ from the old charts. Secular trends can be detected in both height and weight. Mean adult height on the new chart is 141.2 cm, 3.0 cm taller than the old data. This result seems attributable to the secular trend observed during the same period in Japanese women.

CONCLUSIONS

The newly constructed clinical reference growth charts for Japanese girls with TS seem to be better for the evaluation of growth in girls with TS born after approximately 1970, although selection bias and some other limitations in the present study should be kept in mind.