Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: A thyroid ultrasound scan is recommended in the assessment of any suspected thyroid nodule. The ultrasound characteristics of nodules have been shown to be useful in assessing their malignant potential. The aim of this study is to determine diagnostic validity of thyroid ultrasound in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodule.Material and Methods: It was cross-sectional study, conducted at XXXX Hospital from August 2011 to July 20...

To improve the clinical management of children with disorders of sex development (DSD), there is a need for multi-centre collaborative research as well as clinical interaction. The European DSD Register that became operational in 2008 is a cornerstone of the EuroDSD programme and allows clinicians and researchers to interact in a secure, internet-based, virtual research environment (VRE).Currently, 23 centres in 16 countries from four continents have exp...

The actions of SOCS2 on GH and IGF-1 signalling in growth plate chondrocytes have yet to be reported. During chronic paediatric inflammatory diseases retarded growth is seen in association with increased inflammatory cytokine levels, which is an effect that may involve SOCS2. The primary aim of this study was to investigate STAT signalling in chondrocytes in response to GH, IGF-1 and IL-1β. We also investigated the temporal expression of SOCS2 in response to GH and IGF-1 ...

History: A 27-year-old woman with a background of HIV presented to the GUM department with sudden onset of weight gain (approximately five stones over 3 months). She had been started on kaletra (Lopinavir with Ritonavir) for her HIV, about 11 months previously, while she was on fluticasone (seretide) for her asthma. Clinically, she had a cushingoid appearance with extensive purplish striae marks over her abdomen and arms. Her Seretide was stopped and changed to ventolin- due t...

Background: Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may suffer from growth and pubertal delay.Objective: To assess pubertal status and growth in a group of boys with IBD before (T+0) and 6 months after (T+6) initiation of testosterone therapy.Methods: Retrospective study of boys with IBD undergoing pubertal induction. Height (Ht) and pubertal status were obtained at T+0 and T+6. Markers of disease activity and data on concom...

Background: Dexamethasone (Dex) induced growth retardation in children is partly mediated by direct growth plate effects. In contrast, IGF-I induces bone growth and may ameliorate these effects.Aims: To determine the direct effects of Dex and IGF-I on bone length, cell proliferation and mineralisation in cultured fetal mouse metatarsals.Methods: 18-day-old fetal metatarsals were cultured in triplicate in serum-free medium for 12 days supplemented with either Dex 10<sup...

We describe a 3 year old Scottish girl with polyuria and nocturia and a past history of congenital heart disease. In addition to her excess fluid intake she had reduced food intake, failure to thrive and growth failure. Her sister, father, grandfather and a paternal aunt and uncle had a clear history of polyuria, nocturia and excess thirst. A fluid deprivation test revealed peak serum Na, serum and urine osmolalities were 147 mmol/L, 300 mOs/kg, 176 mOs/kg, respectively, in th...

Background: Glucocorticoid (GC) induced growth retardation is partly due to effects on the growth plate but may vary depending on the pattern of GC exposure.Aims: To compare the effects of dexamethasone (Dex) and prednisolone (Pred) and timing of GC exposure on chondrocyte proliferation and terminal differentiation on the ATDC5 murine chondrocyte cell line.Methods: The cell line was fully characterized by assessing marker gene expr...

Background: Girls with Turner Syndrome (TS) are at increased risk of primary ovarian failure. Previous studies have demonstrated that urinary gonadotrophins (UG) can be used as a non- invasive biochemical marker of pubertal status but their value in monitoring and managing girls with primary ovarian failure is unclear.Aims: To determine the range of UG in girls with Turner Syndrome (TS) and its correlation to serum LH and FSH.Patie...

Background: There is wide variation in the reported rate of acute adrenal insufficiency (AI) related adverse events (sick day episodes and adrenal crises) between centres.Objective: Evaluate the level of consensus on the criteria that should be considered ‘essential’ for defining and managing adverse events associated with acute AI in children.Methods: Active users of the International Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia &...