Clinical lessons learned in constitutional hypopituitarism from two decades of experience in a large international cohort.

CONTEXT: The international GENHYPOPIT network collects phenotypical data and screens genetic causes of non-acquired hypopituitarism. AIMS: To describe main phenotype patterns and their evolution through life. DESIGN: Patients were screened according to their phenotype for coding sequence variations in 8 genes: HESX1, LHX3, LHX4, PROP1, POU1F1, TBX19, OTX2 and PROKR2. RESULTS: Among 1213 patients (1143 index cases), the age of diagnosis of hypopituitarism was congenital (24%), in childhood (28%), at puberty (32%), in adulthood (7.2%) or not available (8.8%). Noteworthy, pituitary hormonal deficiencies kept on evolving during adulthood in 49 of patients. Growth Hormone deficiency (GHD) affected 85.8% of patients and was often the first diagnosed deficiency. AdrenoCorticoTropic Hormone deficiency rarely preceded GHD, but usually followed it by over 10 years. Pituitary Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) abnormalities were common (79.7%), with 39.4% pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS). The most frequently associated extrapituitary malformations were ophthalmological abnormalities (16.1%). Prevalence of identified mutations was 7.3% of index cases (84/1143) and 29.5% in familial cases (n = 146). Genetic analysis in 449 patients without extrapituitary phenotype revealed 36 PROP1, 2 POU1F1 and 17 TBX19 mutations. CONCLUSION: This large international cohort highlights atypical phenotypic presentation of constitutional hypopituitarism, such as post pubertal presentation or adult progression of hormonal deficiencies. These results justify long-term follow-up, and the need for systematic evaluation of associated abnormalities. Genetic defects were rarely identified, mainly PROP1 mutations in pure endocrine phenotypes.

Fertility preservation in Turner syndrome: Karyotype does not predict ovarian response to stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: Turner syndrome (TS) is responsible for gonadal dysgenesis with high risk of premature ovarian insufficiency. Little is known about fertility preservation (FP) strategies is this population. DESIGN: Data from women with TS consulting with a fertility specialist in our FP centre from 2014 to 2018 were retrospectively collected. MEASUREMENT: Total number of mature oocytes cryopreserved using vitrification. PATIENTS: Nine women with TS were referred. Three women with different karyotypes underwent controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) for oocyte vitrification. Mean age at TS diagnosis was 13.7 years [9-20]. Mean referral delay between TS diagnosis and fertility consultation was 9.7 years [7-14]. First counselling for FP was provided at 23.7 years [18-28]. Mean AMH serum level prior to COS was 53.8 pmol/L [3.6-95]. RESULTS: All three women succeeded in obtaining cryopreserved oocytes with a mean number of 15.3 per woman [9-20] and 9.2 per COS cycle [2-20]. Ovarian response to COS was unexpectedly remarkable for the woman with a complete 45,X monosomy. Procedure was well tolerated for all women. None of them have used oocytes for in vitro fertilization yet. CONCLUSIONS: Independently of karyotype, antral follicular count, AMH and FSH levels seemed to be reliable predictive markers of oocyte cryopreservation success. In a monosomic TS woman, cryptic ovarian mosaicism could explain a successful ovarian response to stimulation with a high number of retrieved oocytes. In case of spontaneous menarche, TS adolescents should be referred during transition to adulthood for FP counselling to avoid referral delay and limit time-related diminished ovarian reserve.

Diagnosis and management of congenital hypopituitarism in children.

Hypopituitarism (or pituitary deficiency) is a rare disease with an estimated prevalence of between 1/16,000 and 1/26,000 individuals, defined by insufficient production of one or several anterior pituitary hormones (growth hormone [GH], thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH], adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH], luteinizing hormone [LH], follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], prolactin), in association or not with diabetes insipidus (antidiuretic hormone [ADH] deficiency). While in adults hypopituitarism is mostly an acquired disease (tumors, irradiation), in children it is most often a congenital condition, due to abnormal pituitary development. Clinical symptoms vary considerably from isolated to combined deficiencies and between syndromic and non-syndromic forms. Early signs are non-specific but should not be overlooked. Diagnosis is based on a combination of clinical, laboratory (testing of all hormonal axes), imaging (brain magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] with thin slices centered on the hypothalamic-pituitary region), and genetic (next-generation sequencing of genes involved in pituitary development, array-based comparative genomic hybridization, and/or genomic analysis) findings. Early brain MRI is crucial in neonates or in cases of severe hormone deficiency for differential diagnosis and to inform syndrome workup. This article presents recommendations for hormone replacement therapy for each of the respective deficient axes. Lifelong follow-up with an endocrinologist is required, including in adulthood, with multidisciplinary management for patients with syndromic forms or comorbidities. Treatment objectives include alleviating symptoms, preventing comorbidities and acute complications, and optimal social and educational integration.

Quality of life of chronically ill children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the quality of life (QoL) of children with a chronic illness treated in a tertiary multidisciplinary pediatric department in comparison with the general population. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the tertiary multidisciplinary (nephrology, hepatogastroenterology, endocrinology, diabetology, transplantation) pediatric department of Timone Hospital in Marseille, France. Patients 8-17 years of age with a chronic disease were included during regular follow-up appointments. Medical and sociodemographic variables were obtained from medical records. Self-reported QoL was assessed using the VSPA (Vécu et Santé Perçu de l'Adolescent) questionnaire and parent-reported QoL was assessed using the VSPA questionnaire for parents. RESULTS: A total of 244 patients were included. Overall QoL did not differ significantly from that of the general population. Adolescent patients' self-reported QoL scores were lower than those of the general population in the domains of physical health and leisure, and parents reported QoL scores for adolescent patients lower than those of the general population for self-esteem and physical health. Adolescents' self-reported QoL scores were higher than in the general population for relationships with parents, healthcare professionals, and teachers as well as for school achievement. Parents also reported higher QoL scores in these areas for their children. CONCLUSION: Children and adolescents with a variety of chronic diseases had similar overall QoL scores to the general population but with different QoL profiles; their scores in some domains were higher than those of the general population.

Position statement on the diagnosis and management of congenital pituitary deficiency in adults: The French National Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol (NDTP).

Pituitary deficiency, or hypopituitarism, is a rare chronic disease. It is defined by insufficient synthesis of one or more pituitary hormones (growth hormone, TSH, ACTH, LH-FSH, prolactin), whether or not associated with arginine vasopressin deficiency (formerly known as diabetes insipidus). In adult patients, it is usually acquired (notably during childhood), but can also be congenital, due to abnormal pituitary development. The present study focuses on congenital pituitary deficiency in adults, from diagnosis to follow-up, including special situations such as pregnancy or the elderly. The clinical presentation is highly variable, ranging from isolated deficit to multiple deficits, which may be part of a syndromic form or not. Diagnosis is based on a combination of clinical, biological (assessment of all hormonal axes), radiological (brain and hypothalamic-pituitary MRI) and genetic factors. Treatment consists in hormonal replacement therapy, adapted according to the period of life and the deficits, which may be progressive. Comorbidities, risk of complications and acute decompensation, and the impact on fertility and quality of life all require adaptative multidisciplinary care and long-term monitoring.

Misconceptions and beliefs around hormone replacement therapy after childhood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A qualitative study among women leukemia survivors.

PURPOSE: After childhood leukemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, hormone replacement therapy is often required to induce puberty because of premature ovarian insufficiency. Observance of this kind of treatment in adolescents and young women seems quite poor, and literature about its acceptance remains scarce; in order to learn about their experience and to better understand their attitude towards hormone replacement therapy, we used qualitative methods. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: 13 young women childhood cancer survivors completed an individual interview. RESULTS: We report that the negative experience of leukemia may cause rejection of the treatment, closely related to infertility unacceptance. Misconceptions and lack of adequate information of hormonal treatment effects are also major barriers to a good compliance. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Observance of hormone replacement therapy for young women childhood cancer survivors can be improved with a confidential patient-physician relationship, patient education, choice of galenic formulation according to personal preference, and psychological support during the long-time follow up.

Assessment of a new home-based care pathway for children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

AIM: To compare the outcomes of home-based and conventional hospital-based care for children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted of all children newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus at the Timone Hospital in Marseille, France, between November 2017 and July 2019. The patients received either home-based or in-patient hospital care. The primary outcome was the length of initial hospital stay. The secondary outcome measures were glycemic control in the first year of treatment, families' diabetes knowledge, the effect of diabetes on quality of life, and overall quality of care. RESULTS: A total of 85 patients were included, 37 in the home-based care group and 48 in the in-patient care group. The initial length of hospital stay was 6 days in the home-based care group versus 9 days in the in-patient care group. Levels of glycemic control, diabetes knowledge and quality of care were comparable in the two groups despite a higher rate of socioeconomic deprivation in the home-based care group. CONCLUSION: Home-based care for children with diabetes is safe and effective. This new healthcare pathway provides good overall social care, especially for socioeconomically deprived families.

DIAGNOSIS OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome: etiology and clinical manifestations.

Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS) is a congenital pituitary anatomical defect. This syndrome is an antenatal developmental defect belonging to the holoprosencephaly phenotype spectrum. It is heterogeneous regarding clinical, biological and radiological presentation and is characterized by the following triad: thin (<1 mm) or interrupted pituitary stalk connecting the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland, no eutopic posterior lobe, and hypoplasia or aplasia of the anterior lobe. This review reports current knowledge about the composite pathogenesis, for which underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Current data suggest genetic origins involving early developmental gene mutations with complex inheritance patterns and environmental influence, placing PSIS at the crossroads between Mendelian and multifactorial diseases. The phenotype associated with PSIS is highly heterogeneous with a high incidence of various combinations of hormonal deficiencies, sometimes associated with extra-pituitary birth defects. The age at onset is variable, but typical presentation is evolutive combined anterior pituitary hormone deficiencies at pediatric age, which progress even during adulthood to panhypopituitarism. Therefore, patients' follow-up throughout life is essential for adequate management.

Evaluation of flash glucose monitoring after long-term use: A pediatric survey.

AIMS: To understand the opinions of children with type 1 diabetes about their everyday use of flash glucose monitoring. (FGM). METHODS: Children with type 1 diabetes using the FreeStyle Libre® FGM system and/or their parents were surveyed in several French medical centers between December 2016 and June 2017, regardless of their treatment regimen and metabolic control. RESULTS: Of the 347 patients recruited, 79.5% had been using the sensor for more than three months (average usage time: 285 days). The main reported motivations for initiating this type of monitoring were to avoid finger prick pain (for 85.9% of patients) and to allow parents to check nocturnal glucose levels (60.8%). Two-thirds of respondents experienced difficulties, mainly the sensor falling off (47.6%), measurement discrepancies (25.1%) and cutaneous reactions (22.2%); 89.5% changed their habits: 70.6% took more scans, 37.2% corrected their hyperglycemia more promptly, and 37.5% used trends to adjust their insulin dosage. About one-third of the study group (35.1%) experienced lower HbA1c levels, and two thirds (67.1%) were satisfied with the device. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that FGM is a widely accepted option for self-monitoring diabetes, but that specific training is required to improve its use for insulin dosage adjustment and metabolic results.