Genetic and environmental determinants of bone quality: a cross-sectional analysis of the Hungarian Twin Registry.

There is abundant evidence that bone mineral content is highly heritable, while the heritability of bone quality (i.e. trabecular bone score [TBS] and quantitative ultrasound index [QUI]) is rarely investigated. We aimed to disentangle the role of genetic, shared and unique environmental factors on TBS and QUI among Hungarian twins. Our study includes 82 twin (48 monozygotic, 33 same-sex dizygotic) pairs from the Hungarian Twin Registry. TBS was determined by DXA, QUI by calcaneal bone ultrasound. To estimate the genetic and environmental effects, we utilized ACE-variance decomposition. For the unadjusted model of TBS, an AE model provided the best fit with > 80% additive genetic heritability. Adjustment for age, sex, BMI and smoking status improved model fit with 48.0% of total variance explained by independent variables. Furthermore, there was a strong dominant genetic effect (73.7%). In contrast, unadjusted and adjusted models for QUI showed an AE structure. Adjustments improved model fit and 25.7% of the total variance was explained by independent variables. Altogether 70-90% of the variance in QUI was related to additive genetic influences. We found a strong genetic heritability of bone quality in unadjusted models. Half of the variance of TBS was explained by age, sex and BMI. Furthermore, the adjusted model suggested that the genetic component of TBS could be dominant or an epistasis could be present. In contrast, independent variables explained only a quarter of the variance of QUI and the additive heritability explained more than half of all the variance.

Thyroid disturbances after COVID-19 and the effect of vaccination in children: a prospective tri-center registry analysis.

Rapidly evolving clinical data suggest that the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and vaccination against COVID-19 might be associated with thyroid disturbances. However, studies remain limited among the pediatric population. Our aim was to assess the prevalence and permanence of thyroid autoimmunity (TA) and dysfunction in children after an acute infection and its potential association with vaccination. A prospective, multicenter registry analysis was performed among 458 children (mean age: 12.4 ± 3,8 years, 45.4% male) with preceding COVID-19. Patient inclusion lasted from 24th March, 2021 to 23rd March, 2022 at three pediatric outpatient facilities at Semmelweis University, Budapest. Primary outcomes were the rate of thyroid disturbances assessed by laboratory parameters (thyroid function tests, antithyroglobulin [ATG] and anti-thyroid peroxidase [ATPO] antibodies) and thyroid ultrasound. TA rate among vaccinated and unvaccinated children was determined. Children with newly diagnosed thyroid alterations were followed up for 12.7 ± 4.3 months. Six children had previous thyroid disease. Out of 452 children, 30 cases (6.6%) of newly diagnosed TA (six of them had abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH] levels) and eight cases (1.8%) of isolated TSH elevation were observed. Ultrasound-proven autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) was 4.0%. No association was found between COVID-19 vaccination and thyroid autoimmunity (χ2(1,N = 452) = 0.138, p = 0.815). Among children with TA, 73.3% had long-lasting alterations.  Conclusion: Vaccination had no effect on the prevalence of TA. Until further controlled studies state otherwise, children with preceding COVID-19 might benefit from thyroid screening. What is Known: • Numerous case reports implicate that coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 can be responsible for thyroid disturbances. • Thyroid alterations discovered during acute COVID-19 tend to cease by time and only incidental thyroid autoimmunity (TA) is diagnosed after COVID-19. In adults, no increase in vaccine-related hyper- or hypothyroidism was found. What is New: • TA rate after COVID-19 vaccination among children was not increased. TA had no role in long COVID syndrome. • We discovered a considerable rate of TA (6.6%) and ultrasound-proven autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) (4.0%) after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the majority of these alterations remained positive after 6 months.

Skeletal-related side effects of acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment in children / Az akut lymphoblastos leukaemiával kezelt gyermekek csontrendszerét érinto mellékhatások.

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: A gyermekkori akut lymphoblastos leukaemia kezelése napjainkban 80% feletti túlélést tesz lehetové, de fontos cél a kezelés okozta mellékhatások kivédése és a gyermekek hosszú távú életminoségének javítása is. Célkituzés: A kemoterápia csontrendszerre kifejtett mellékhatásainak vizsgálata és a prognosztikai tényezok feltárása, a rizikófaktorok összegyujtése. Módszerek: Retrospektív vizsgálatunkba a Semmelweis Egyetem II. Gyermekgyógyászati Klinikáján 2007 és 2016 között kezelt 215, akut lymphoblastos leukaemiás gyermek közül a csontelváltozást észlelt betegeket vontuk be a következo, csontrendszert érinto megbetegedésekkel: 38 gyermeknél csökkent csontásványianyag-tartalom, 5 fonél osteonecrosis, 3 fonél osteomyelitis és 2 fo esetében patológiás fractura volt detektálható. Különbözo követési idopontokban gyujtöttünk oszteodenzitometriai adatokat, D-vitamin-, foszfát-, alkalikusfoszfatáz- és lipidszinteket is. Eredmények: Az oszteodenzitometriai értékek már a diagnóziskor csökkent értéket mutatnak, az intenzív vénás kemoterápia hatására pedig további csökkenés figyelheto meg (a lumbális gerinc Z-score-értéke a kezelés kezdetén: -1,5 ± 1,02, az intenzív vénás kezelés végén -1,8 ± 0,5). A Z-score-értékek a fenntartó terápia végére javuló tendenciát mutattak (-1,6 ± 0,5; p<0,05), majd az utánkövetés során ismételt javulás (-1,2 ± 0,4 [p<0,01] és -0,9 ± 0,4) figyelheto meg. A D-vitamin-szintek esetében az intenzív vénás kemoterápiát követoen fokozatos javulást láthattunk (20 ± 3,1 ng/ml vs. többéves utánkövetéskor 31 ± 2,6 ng/ml; p<0,001). A foszfát- és alkalikusfoszfatáz-szintek nem változtak számottevo mértékben a vizsgált idotartam során. A koleszterinszintek a terápia során folyamatos növekedést mutattak (a kemoterápia kezdetén 3,28 ± 0,3 mM/l vs. a fenntartó kezelés végén 4,62 ± 0,2 mM/l; p<0,0001). A HDL-koleszterin esetében szintén hasonló tendenciát figyelhettünk meg (a diagnóziskor 0,53 ± 0,09 mM/l vs. a fenntartó kezelés végén 1,48 ± 0,14 mM/l). Következtetés: Kiemelendo, hogy a gyógyult gyermekek utánkövetése, az oszteodenzitometriai mérések és a laborparaméterek ellenorzése rendkívül fontos, mivel csontelváltozásokkal a leukaemiás betegek esetén számolni kell. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(49): 2086-2093. INTRODUCTION: Current treatment of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia allows survival above 80%, but it is also very important to prevent treatment-related side effects and to improve long-term quality of life. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to assess the side effects of chemotherapy on the skeletal system and to identify prognostic and risk factors. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2016, 215 children were treated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the 2nd Department of Paediatrics, Semmelweis University. In our retrospective study, we analyzed data of these children with skeletal-related side-effects (38 children with reduced bone mineral density, 5 with osteonecrosis, 3 with osteomyelitis and 2 with pathologic fracture). RESULTS: Osteodensitometric data, vitamin D, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase and lipid levels were collected at different follow-up times. Osteodensitometric values were already reduced at the time of diagnosis (lumbar spine Z-score: -1.5 ± 1.02) and intensive venous chemotherapy caused further decrease (-1.8 ± 0.5). Z-score showed an improving tendency at the end of the maintenance therapy (-1.6 ± 0.5; p<0.05), followed by further improvement later (-1.2 ± 0.4 [p<0.01] and -0.9 ± 0.4). Vitamin D levels showed improvement after intensive venous chemotherapy (20 ± 3.1 ng/ml vs. 31 ± 2.6 ng/ml at multi-year follow-up; p<001). Phosphate and alkaline phosphatase levels did not change considerably during the period considered. Cholesterol levels increased continuously during treatment (at the time of diagnosis 3.28 ± 0.3 mM/l vs. at the end of the maintenance therapy 4.62 ± 0.2 mM/l; p<0.0001). A similar trend was observed with HDL cholesterol levels (0.53 ± 0.09 mM/l vs. 1.48 ± 0.14 mM/l). CONCLUSION: In summary, we can conclude that follow-up of these children, osteodensitometric measurements and monitoring of laboratory parameters are extremely important, as bone abnormalities can occur in leukemia patients. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(49): 2086-2093.

Seasonal variability of vitamin D and bone metabolism in infliximab-treated paediatric Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Paediatric Crohn's disease patients suffer from several complications, including low bone mineral density and inadequate serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D. AIMS: The aim of this prospective study was to address the effect of infliximab therapy on bone metabolism, bone mineral density and vitamin D homeostasis. The seasonal variability of serum vitamin D levels in relation to infliximab treatment was also analysed. METHODS: Serum osteocalcin and beta-crosslaps (markers of bone metabolism), seasonal variability of vitamin D, and bone mineral density were assessed and followed throughout the yearlong treatment regimen of infliximab in 50 consecutive paediatric patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease. RESULTS: Bone forming osteocalcin levels were significantly (p<0.001) increased during infliximab therapy. In contrast, no significant changes in beta-crosslaps and vitamin D levels were observed. Vitamin D levels were significantly different when the summer and winter periods were compared at week 0 (p=0.039); however, this difference was not detected after one year of infliximab therapy. Despite the beneficial clinical effect of infliximab, there was no significant change in bone mineral density Z-scores after one year of treatment. CONCLUSION: Infliximab may beneficially affect bone homeostasis. Moreover, seasonal variability in vitamin D levels observed prior to initiation of infliximab treatment was diminished after one year of treatment.

Orolabial signs are important clues for diagnosis of the rare endocrine syndrome MEN 2B. Presentation of two unrelated cases.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes (MEN) are genetic disorders with glandular hyperplasia and consecutive malignant neoplasia. MEN type 2B is the least common form of these tumor syndromes. It presents with typical dysmorphic features, mucosal neuromas, ganglioneuromatosis, medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and phaeochromocytoma. The prognosis depends on the presence of MTC. We have surprisingly found two unrelated patients with this syndrome at our department within two weeks. In the medical history of a 17-year-old boy, Crohn's disease had been considered because of abdominal pain and distention. He had marfanoid appearance and previously undergone minor surgeries for a large tongue with neuromas and hypertrophic gums. Two weeks later, a 10-year-old girl presented with a hard palpable mass on her neck. She had thickened lips, neuromas on the tongue and a solitary thyroid nodule. Genetic analysis was carried out in both patients and a heterozygous M918T mutation of the RET proto-oncogene was found. Laboratory tests and imaging studies were consistent with MTC. Phaeochromocytoma was not present. Both patients underwent total thyroidectomy and lymph node dissection. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of MTC. In conclusion, the initial diagnosis of MEN 2B should be suspected on the presence of typical facial/oral signs and gastrointestinal symptoms. Hormonal tests and imaging techniques of the thyroid and the adrenals can confirm the clinical diagnosis of MEN 2B and genetic analysis can prove its germline origin.

High prevalence of PROP1 gene mutations in Hungarian patients with childhood-onset combined anterior pituitary hormone deficiency.

Combined pituitary hormone deficiency is characterized by the impaired production of pituitary hormones, commonly including growth hormone. The pathomechanism of the childhood-onset form of this disorder may involve germline mutations of genes encoding pituitary transcription factors, of which PROP1 gene mutations have been studied most extensively. However, controversy exists about the significance of PROP1 gene mutations, as both low and high frequencies have been reported in these patients. Because the different results may be related to differences in patient populations and/or the variability of clinical phenotypes, we performed the present study to examine the prevalence and spectrum of PROP1 gene mutations in 35 patients with non-acquired childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency combined with at least one other anterior pituitary hormone deficiency. Genetic testing indicated the presence of disease-causing mutations in exons 2 and 3 of the PROP1 gene in 15 patients (43% of all patients; homozygous mutations in 10 patients and compound heterozygous mutations in 5 patients). Comparison of clinical data of patients with and without PROP1 gene mutations failed to show significant differences, except an earlier growth retardation detected in patients with PROP1 gene mutations. In one patient with PROP1 gene mutation, radiologic imaging showed an enlargement of the anterior lobe of the pituitary, whereas the other patients had hypoplastic or normal pituitary gland. All patients with PROP1 gene mutations had normal posterior pituitary lobe by radiologic imaging. These results indicate that using our inclusion criteria for genetic testing, PROP1 gene mutations can be detected in a high proportion of Hungarian patients with non-acquired childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency combined with at least one other anterior pituitary hormone defect.