Vitamin D deficiency in children aged 6 to 12 years: single center's experience in Busan.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors associated with vitamin D deficiency in children. METHODS: We analyzed the medical records of 330 patients from the age of 6 to 12, who visited the endocrinology clinic of the Department of Pediatrics at Pusan National University Hospital, from September, 2013 to May, 2014. According to their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels, the patients were grouped into either the deficiency group (25(OH)D<20 ng/mL), or the sufficiency group (25(OH)D≥20 ng/mL). The differences between the 2 groups were compared. RESULTS: There were 195 patients (59.1%) who had vitamin D deficiency. Their mean serum 25(OH)D level was 14.86±3.20 ng/mL. The differences in sex, age, and pubertal status between the 2 groups were not statistically significant. Weight standard deviation score (SDS), and body mass index SDS, were significantly higher in the vitamin D deficiency group (P=0.002 for each), compared to the sufficiency group. Compared with Autumn, both Spring (odds ratio [OR], 9.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.3-22.0), and Winter (OR, 5.9; 95% CI, 3.5-10.0), were risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. In multiple logistic regression analysis, only seasonal differences have been confirmed to have an effect on vitamin D deficiency. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency in children aged 6 to 12 years is very common. Spring and Winter are the most important risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. We suggest that it is necessary to supplement the guideline for the vitamin D intake according to our situation.

A Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis patient confirmed by mutation analysis of SHOX gene.

Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis is characterized by SHOX deficiency, Madelung deformity, and mesomelic short stature. In addition, SHOX deficiency is associated with idiopathic short stature, Turner syndrome, and Langer mesomelic dysplasia. We report the first case of a Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis patient confirmed by SHOX gene mutation analysis in Korea. The patient, who was a 7-year-old female, showed short stature. Her height and weight were 108.9 cm (<3rd percentile) and 19.7 kg (5th-10th percentile), respectively. Her arm span, height of trunk, leg length, and sitting length were 100.5 cm, 58 cm, 50.9 cm, and 62.5 cm, respectively. Her body proportion was 1.13:1. Extremities to trunk ratio was 2.61. Her hand radiograph showed Madelung deformity. And the growth hormone stimulation test showed a normal response. Furthermore, because of Madelung deformity with idiopathic short stature, she was suspected of SHOX deficiency. We performed SHOX gene mutation analysis and found a c.491G>A (p.W164X) mutation of the SHOX gene. Accordingly, this patient was diagnosed with Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis. Recently, many mutations have been reported in the SHOX gene. However, to date, mutation analysis of the SHOX gene for Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis has not been reported in Korea as yet. We report the first case of a Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis patient confirmed by mutation analysis of the SHOX gene.

Treatment of melasma by low-fluence 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.

BACKGROUND: Low-fluence 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser has recently been shown to be effective for the melasma treatment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of low-fluence 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatment of melasma in Asian patients. METHODS: Fifty patients with melasma underwent 15 weeks of weekly treatments, using a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (RevLite®; HOYA ConBio®, Freemont, CA, USA) at 1064 nm with an 8-mm spot size, and a fluence of 2.8 J/cm(2). Patients and investigators subjectively evaluated the intensity of pigmentation after completion of 15 weekly treatments. The objective assessment was also performed with digital photographs and a pigment imaging tool (Janus®, PSI Co., Ltd., KOREA). RESULTS: Both patients and investigators rated the treatment outcome as "good improvement" on average with improvement rate of 50-74%. The pigment imaging technology system also confirmed the improvement of the pigmentation level on all three locations of the face. None of the 50 patients showed any signs of severe side effects during the course of the treatment. CONCLUSION: Low-fluence 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is an effective method to treat melasma without serious side effects in Asian patients.

Relationship between serum insulin-like growth factor-1, IGF binding protein-3 levels and body height before and after gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy.

PURPOSE: The gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) is widely used to treat patients with precocious puberty. However, its effect on growth is often difficult to predict because of the diverse nature of its causes and presentation. This study aims to show the impact of GnRHa treatment on insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) secretion, growth, and on other parameters that may help estimate the height velocity. METHODS: Data from 60 girls (mean age, 8.8±0.7 years) treated with GnRHa were analyzed. Their height, bone age (BA), serum IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 concentrations were measured at the start and after a year of GnRHa treatment. To eliminate the confounding effect of chronological age (CA), the standard deviation scores (SDSs) of their height, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 concentrations according to their CA at the start and after a year of GnRHa treatment were calculated. We looked for possible correlations between these variables and compared the subgroups based on their height velocities and midparental heights. RESULTS: During their one-year GnRHa therapy, height SDS for CA significantly decreased to 0.81±0.83 (P<0.001), but height SDS for BA increased to -0.28±0.68 (P<0.001). There was no significant change in serum IGF-I SDS, IGFBP-3 SDS, and IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratio. The advanced BA was the factor most strongly correlated to the height velocity (R=0.265, P=0.041). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that GnRHa treatment may affect the height velocity due to mechanisms other than suppression of the IGF-I and IGFBP-3 secretory axis.

Efficacy and safety of 1,064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser treatment for removing melanocytic nevi.

BACKGROUND: Until recently, the removal of melanocytic nevi has been performed with a CO(2) laser or Er:YAG laser. These lasers have been useful for removing affected spots. However, enlargement of spots or some sequelae, including depressed or hypertrophic scars, could develop as unwanted results. The Q-switched Nd:YAG laser has been used to remove deep-seated melanocytes, such as Ota nevus or tattoos. However, there have been no previous experiments performed to test the efficacy and safety of this laser treatment for melanocytic nevi. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the 1,064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser for removing melanocytic nevi, including congenital nevomelanocytic and acquired nevomelanocytic nevi. METHODS: Two thousand and sixty four Korean patients with small melanocytic nevi were treated with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser from 2005 to 2009. High-resolution photographs were taken in identical lighting and positions before and after the six weeks of treatment to observe the procedural efficacy. RESULTS: About 70% of the nevi treated using a 1,064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser were completely removed after one session. The other 30% were completely treated within three sessions. The appearance of sequelae such as hollow scars noticeably decreased compared to the results seen in CO(2) or Er:YAG laser treatments. CONCLUSION: Use of the 1,064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is a safe and effective treatment modality for melanocytic nevi.