Hepcidin and Iron Metabolism in Pregnancy: Correlation with Smoking and Birth Weight and Length.

To estimate the effect of tobacco smoking on iron homeostasis and the possible association between hepcidin and the neonatal birth weight and length, concentrations of serum hepcidin and selected iron markers were measured in 81 healthy pregnant women (41 smokers and 40 nonsmokers). The smoking mothers had significantly lower concentrations of serum hepcidin (p < 0.001), iron (p < 0.001), and hemoglobin (p < 0.05), but higher erythropoietin (p < 0.05) levels compared with non-smoking pregnant women. Logistic regression analysis showed the highest negative impact of the number of cigarettes smoked per day (ß = -0.46; p < 0.01) and positive impact of ferritin level (ß = 0.47; p < 0.001) on serum hepcidin concentration. The birth weight and the body length of smoking mothers' infants were significantly lower than in tobacco abstinent group (p < 0.001). In multiple regression analysis, birth body weight (ß = 0.56; p < 0.001) and length (ß = 0.50; p < 0.001) were significantly related to maternal hepcidin values. Tobacco smoking affected hepcidin level in serum of pregnant women in a dose-dependent manner. Low concentrations of iron and hemoglobin in maternal serum coexisting with high level of erythropoietin suggest that smoking could lead to subclinical iron deficiency and chronic hypoxia not only in mothers but also in fetus. Low serum hepcidin concentration in smoking pregnant women might be associated with lower fetal birth weight and length.

Multihormonal hypopituitarism, hypothyroidism and hypoparathyroidism in a 17-years-old girl with Diamond-Blackfan anemia and secondary hemochromatosis.

Congenital hypoplastic anemia (Diamond-Blakcfan syndrom) is a genetically determined disorder which is manifested in early childhood with selective deficiency of erythrocyte line in bone marrow. Severe anemia usually appears in the first six months of life. Survival depends on blood transfusions, which in consequence lead to hemochromatosis. The most common complications of transfusional hemochromatosis are hepatic cirrhosis, hypopituitarism, hypogonadism, diabetes mellitus, other endocrinopathies, and cardiomyopathy. We present the case of 17 years old girl with congenital hypoplastic anemia and multihormonal insufficiency due to secondary hemochromatosis.

[Papillary thyroid carcinoma and meningioma in 17-year-old boy- a late effect of acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment or a new disease? Case report and literature review]. / Rak brodawkowaty tarczycy i oponiak u 17-letniego chlopca - pózne nastepstwo leczenia bialaczki czy nowe zachorowanie? Opis przypadku i przeglad pismiennictwa.

Thyroid carcinoma and meningioma can occur as a primary malignancy (PTM) or secondary after another malignancy (STM). We presented a boy 17 years of age with thyroid carcinoma and meningioma, which were recognized during growth deficiency diagnosis, 11 years after the treatment of ALL and 10 years after the bone marrow transplantation. Children who have been successfully treated for one cancer have a higher than expected incidence rate of additional tumors and therefore they need endocrinological care.

[The prevalence of thyro-peroxidase antibodies and thyroid function in Turner's syndrome]. / Wystepowanie przeciwcial przeciw peroksydazie tarczycowej a funkcja tarczycy w zespole Turnera.

INTRODUCTION: Higher frequency of autoimmune diseases in patients with Turner's syndrome (TS) compared with the general population has been described. 5 to 10% of cases occur before adolescence. The goal of the study was to determine the prevalence of thyro-peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) in correlation with karyotype, clinical symptoms and hormonal thyroid function in TS patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 96 girls with TS, aged 0.5-19.8 years (mean age 12.3+/-5.0) and 58 girls matched for age and BMI (control group) were analysed. The diagnosis of TS was established basing on clinical features and karyotype analysis. 54 had X monosomy, 7--isochromosome, 1--other X chromosome aberration, 11--mosaicism 45,X/46,XX, 3--45,X/47,XXX, 1--45,X/46,XX/47,XXX, 19--mosaicism with structural aberration: 12--45,X/46,X,i(Xq), 2--others, 5--with Y chromosome. In all children TSH, FT(4), FT(3), TPO-Ab, cholesterol, triglyceride levels, physical and ultrasonographic examination were performed. RESULTS: 25% of TS patients were positive for TPO-Ab. This frequency was significantly higher (p=0.0017) than that seen in the control group (5.2%). Positive titers of TPO-Ab were found: in 42% of girls with isochromosome (46,X,i(Xq) and 45,X/46,X,i(Xq)), 22.2% with X monosomy, and 17.4% with other karyotypes. The percentage of positive TPO-Ab titres increased with cumulative age of TS patients. It was 6.7% at the age of 10 years and almost doubled (12.1%) one year later. The next strong increase was observed at the age of 16 (up to 19.1%) and gradually rose to 20 years of age. Mean age of seronegative patients was significantly lower than that of seropositive patients (p=0.018). Only 2 patients manifested symptoms of hyperthyroidism requiring short period of antithyroid treatment. Others did not reveal any clinical features of thyroid dysfunction, although developed thyroid abnormalities such as elevated TSH (11.4%) or goiter (28%). Lack of correlation between TPO-Ab, thyroid hormones and lipid levels was associated with L-thyroxine supplementation, in patients with mildly elevated TSH, prior to the study. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with TS, especially with isochromosome, have antithyroid antibodies more frequently than their co-evals. Therefore, it is important to monitor TPO-Ab from about the age of 10 years even in asymptomatic patients. However, in routine clinical practice, both the thyroid examination and TSH level (even in asymptomatic patients) should be screened yearly for early detection of subclinical hypothyroidism and risk of more severe growth retardation in girls with TS.

[Precocious puberty and von Recklinghausen's disease]. / Przedwczesne dojrzewanie plciowe w przebiegu choroby Recklinghausena.

Von Recklinghausen's disease belongs to a group of neurocutaneous syndromes and is characterised by skin, nerve and bone abnormalities. We present a case of von Recklinghausen's disease and precocious puberty in 7-year-old boy. At the age of three café au lait spots on the skin and an incranial tumour situated near the optic chiasm--qualified as inoperable--were discovered. At the age of 7 first signs of precocious puberty appeared (pubic hair P3 and enlargement of the testes (15 ml) and penis). Laboratory measurements included: LH 7.5 mIU/ml, FSH 1.1 mIU/ml, testosterone 183 ng/ml, assessment of bone age: 9 years. The response to LHRH stimulation was characteristic for true precocious puberty (LH 15.9 mIU/ml and FSH 1.5 mIU/ml after 30 minutes). The MRI of the brain showed a tumour of the suprasellar region with compression of pituitary stalk. True precocious puberty was diagnosed. Treatment with Diphereline was introduced. At present the boy is 9 years old and has been treated with Diphereline for 16 months. The volume of the testicles has decreased to 7 ml and loss of pubic hair was noted. The MRI does not show any progression in tumour growth. The authors would like to underline the need of close observation of children with von Reclinghausen disease with regard to possibility of uncovering true precocious puberty which is critical for rapid diagnosis and introduction of correct treatment.