Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Recent consensus recommends assessment of aortic dimensions with aortic sized index (ASI) normalized for body surface area (BSA) defined as absolute aortic dimension/BSA, in girls with Turner syndrome (TS) as young as 10 years. There are currently multiple formulae for estimating BSA without agreement on a preferred method. We assess the clinical validity of each formulae as this may have implications on interpretation of ASI.Method: We calcu...

Background: Recurrent middle ear disease may lead to poor growth or may suggest an underlying diagnosis associated with short stature. The aim of the study was to describe stature in a cohort of girls attending a paediatric ENT service.Methods: Height and weight was measured in all girls attending ENT clinics over an 8 week period (n=83). A mid-parental height (MPH) was calculated from reported parental heights. Th...

Background: Vertebral Fractures (VF) are recognized as an important aspect of bone health in children and adolescents. The clinical utility of vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) has not been evaluated in the paediatric population.Method: VFA was performed independently by two non-radiologist observers, in 165 patients (77M/88F) as part of their investigation for low bone mineral density. Lateral thoracolumbar...

Introduction: Bisphosphonate therapy (BPT) reduces osteoclast activity and may be associated with adynamic bone turnover. The extent of suppression of bone turnover and its determinants are unclear.Methods: Markers of bone metabolism were evaluated in 15 children (9M/6F) receiving cyclical BPT intravenously for osteoporosis. The median age at first biochemical assessment was 10.8 years (0.16, 16.3). Serum type I collagen cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTX),...

Background: Childhood-onset GH deficiency (CO-GHD) is perceived to be a cause of low bone density and osteoporosis in adulthood. Data on bone mass and body composition of GH-treated adolescents with CO-GHD at final height are inconsistent.Aims: To compare size/height corrected parameters of bone mass and body composition in adolescents with CO-GHD at final height.Method: Review of CO-GHD treated patients at final height between 200...

Osteocytes make up >90% of bone cells, are embedded in mineralised matrix where they form a communication network. Osteocytes differentiate from osteoblasts, and are thought to be mechano-sensitive. They are very difficult to isolate leading to a dependence on cell lines for in vitro studies of osteocyte biology. There is thus a need to develop new methods to study these cells. Recent publications indicate that osteoblasts maintained in in vitro 3D collagen g...

Background: Puberty is understood to be commonly affected in adolescents with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).Objective: To determine the impact of IBD on pubertal status and pubertal growth.Methods: Single centre prospective study over 12 months of 45 adolescents (boys, 23) with CD and 18 (boys, 12) with UC with a median age of 13.4 years (10, 16.6). Assessment included details of disease, anthropometry and b...

Background: Male hypogonadism is associated with reduction in bone mineral density (BMD). This study aimed to determine the epidemiology of low BMD in a clinic-based cohort of hypogonadal men.Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional observational study of 152 patients (≥18 years with testosterone(T) ≤11 nmol/L) who were consequently reviewed in an endocrine clinic. Data was extracted from electronic patient records and included base...

Introduction: Various models of transition are used to help engage and improve the health of young adults. Our transition clinic model: a multi-disciplinary endocrine Adolescent Transition Clinic (ATC), was instituted at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, in October 2008 serving young people in the West of Scotland. A good transition process should improve clinic attendance, health outcomes and quality of life into adulthood.Aim: To review th...

Background: Male hypogonadism is commonly caused by hypothalamo-pituitary testicular disease. The effect of modifiable risk factors (obesity, alcohol, smoking, prescribed medications and recreational drugs) on secondary hypogonadism in a clinic-based cohort is unclear. The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence and effects of modifiable risk factors on secondary hypogonadism.Method: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional observational study...