Endocrine Abstracts

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by the combined occurrence of parathyroid tumours, and neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) of the pancreas and pituitary. Reliable biomarkers, ideally in plasma or serum, for the early detection and recurrence of MEN-1 associated tumours, and especially pancreatic NETs are required, and we explored the potential use of microRNAS (miRNAs), which are small non-coding RNAs that bind target mRNAs ...

Background: Vitamin D deficiency has become the most common nutritional deficiency throughout the world. 67–85% of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) patients have low serum levels of Vitamin D. Studies have reported conflicting data as to whether or not Vitamin D may play a role in human reproduction. The objective of this prospective cohort study was to investigate what effect vitamin D had on parameters within an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycle in a populatio...

Background: Endocrine Disrupting Agents (EDAs) are external substances that have the potential to interfere with the natural endocrine pathways such as the reproductive axis. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine condition resulting in, hyperinsulinaemia, hyperandrogenaemia and subfertility. This study was conducted to see whether there was any association between EDAs and PCOS.Methods: Blood samples were collected from 59 women (29 PCOS...

Idiopathic infantile hypercalcaemia (IHH) is an autosomal recessive disorder typically presenting in the first few months of life with failure to thrive, vomiting, dehydration, and nephrocalcinosis with hypercalcaemia and low or undetectable parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations. IHH is caused by loss-of-function mutations of the cytochrome P450 family 24 subfamily A member 1 (CYP24A1) gene that encodes the 514 amino acid protein 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3...

Introduction: Acute pancreatitis induced by hypertriglyceridemia is a severe condition and its management is complicated.Case report: We present a case of severe acute pancreatitis induced by hypertriglyceridemia secondary to lipoprotein lipase -LPL- deficiency (188 Gly-Glu mutation, LPL undetectable activity) in a pregnant patient with gestational diabetes.The patient was sent to our Lipid Unit in the 13th gestation’ week. Th...

Introduction: Virilizing tumors are rare, but frequent cause of virilization in postmenopausal women.Case report: A 62-year-old postmenopausal woman presented with a rapid onset of hirsutism with increased terminal hair growth, particular on chin and abdomen, frontal male pattern balding in the last 5 months. Physical examination revealed a low-pitched, deepened voice and clitoromegaly. The Ferriman–Gallwey score was 18. Laboratory evaluation: Testo...

Thyroid storm (TS) is a rare but life-threatening manifestation of thyrotoxicosis.Objective: To describe the clinical features and outcomes of patients admitted for TS according to Burch-Wartofsky’s score (BW).Methods: A retrospective review of subjects admitted to a single hospital from 2009 through 2015 was conducted.Results: 15 cases were identified. Etiology: autoimmune (n=8), factitious (<e...

Background: Hypopituitarism is a potential complication of trans-sphenoidal adenomectomy (TSA). Recovery of pituitary function can occur, and reassessment is required to avoid unnecessary hormonal replacement. However, frequency of re-testing is variable across centres. Aim of this study was to determine recovery rates and time to recovery of hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal (HPA) and thyroid axis after TSA.Methods: We performed a single-centre, retrospecti...

Equine Chorionic Gonadotrophin (eCG) is a heterodimeric glycoprotein produced by terminally differentiated, bi/multi-nucleate trophoblast cells in the placenta of horses and humans. It is responsible for the maintenance of early pregnancy via rescue of the corpus luteum and subsequently promotion of progesterone production. The beta subunit of eCG is expressed at levels ten-fold lower than that of the alpha subunit and confers the glycoproteins specificity to the placenta. Ver...

Background: Limited evidence exists regarding the effect of antenatal prednisolone (ANP) on neonatal adrenal function. Our regional neonatal unit screens these babies by measuring three random serum cortisol levels 8 h apart on day 3 of life. Adrenal function is considered adequate if two cortisol levels are >100 nmol/l. Those with inadequate random cortisol levels undergo a low-dose Synacthen test (LDST). Our survey of UK tertiary Paediatric Endocrinology centres revealed...