Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Noonan syndrome (NS) (OMIM 163950) is an autosomal dominant clinically heterogeneous disorder characterised by multisystem involvement. Mutations in genes in the RAS/MAP signaling pathways are known to be responsible for ~70% of cases of NS. We report an infant with NS with early onset fragility fractures.Case report: A 15-month-old male infant with a history of atopic eczema, sparse hair on the scalp, slow motor development, feeding diffic...

Introduction: As in most sub-Saharan Africa, hypertension and its complications are increasingly common in Nigeria, where malaria is hyper-endemic. We established a birth cohort in Ibadan to assess the impact of maternal malaria on blood pressure (BP) in Nigerian infants over their first year.Methods: Healthy pregnant women with singleton pregnancies were followed to delivery. They had regular blood films for malaria parasites through to delivery. Growth...

Introduction: Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is a rare condition of dysregulated insulin secretion causing hypoglycaemia. Oral Diazoxide is used as first line therapy for CHI. In those who are Diazoxide unresponsive, subcutaneous Octreotide is used as second line treatment. Octreotide has recognised side effects of biliary stasis. Additionally, we report hepatitis as a complication of Octreotide therapy in a child with CHI.Case report: A neonate with C...

Background: Approximately 1000 children per annum born small for gestational age (SGA) will fail to catch-up and become eligible for GH treatment. The reason for this failed growth is often not defined. Understanding mechanisms that cause growth failure in SGA and finding potential biomarkers of poor growth is therefore important. We are using the new technique of Metabolomics as one avenue to address this. Metabolomics is the quantification of small molecule metabolites in a ...

Background: Children with hypoglycaemia due to Congenital Hyperinsulinism (CHI) usually present in the neonatal period but late presentations also occur. The phenotype of late-presenting CHI has not been well described.Aim and methods: We have reviewed the clinical course of children (n=22) presenting with CHI after 1 month of age in relation to mode of presentation, rapid KATP genetic mutation analysis, neurodevelopment, clinical progr...

Introduction: The UK has seen a steady rise in childhood obesity over the last 30 years, with nearly a third of children aged 2–15 now overweight or obese. Childhood obesity represents a significant health burden, costing the NHS many millions of pounds.Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, perception and actions of obese patients at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH), to guide recommendations for improving t...

Introduction: 3-M syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterised by pre- and postnatal growth restriction, characteristic facial dysmorphism, normal intelligence and radiological features (slender long bones and tall vertebral bodies). It is known to be caused by mutations in the genes encoding Cullin 7 (a component of the ubiquitination system) and Obscurin like-1 (a cytoskeletal protein). The mechanisms through which mutations in these genes impair growth are uncl...

Malaria is commoner amongst pregnant than non-pregnant women in Nigeria and is associated with a significant risk of having a low birth weight (LBW) baby which increases later risk of disease, in particular hypertensive heart disease in this population.We have established a birth cohort in Nigeria and in this study; we aimed to identify possible biomarkers in maternal and/or cord blood related to birth size on the background of malarial status in pregnan...

Carriage of the exon 3 deletion in the GH receptor (GHR) gene has been reported to enhance growth response to GH therapy. JAK2 and PI3K are involved in signal transduction from the GH (JAK2/PI3K) and IGF1 (PI3K) receptors. We have investigated whether a single nucleotide polymorphism within these genes influences growth response to GH therapy. DNA was taken, with ethical approval, from 104 children treated with GH therapy. Diagnoses were: GHD (n=44), TS (n=23), S...

Background: Obese young people are likely to suffer significant morbidity in adult life. Successful intervention during adolescence may have far-reaching benefits. Evidence is emerging that patient-responsive clinical services may deliver improved outcomes.Aims: To assess the perceptions of obese young people about weight and weight-management services.Method: Annonymised, postal questionnaire survey of 116 obese young people (9&#1...