Effectiveness of Two Different Methods for Pain Reduction During Insulin Injection in Children With Type 1 Diabetes: Buzzy and ShotBlocker.

BACKGROUND: Repeated injections may prevent children from performing insulin administration (skip dosing) and may cause anxiety. AIMS: To compare the effect of ShotBlocker and the combination of vibration and cold application (Buzzy) in reducing pain during insulin administration in children. METHODS: This research was designed as a randomized controlled experimental study. The study sample consisted of 60 children aged between 6 and 12 years who were diagnosed as having type 1 diabetes and received insulin from the Child Endocrinology Department of the medical faculty in Eskisehir Osmangazi University between May 2015 and June 2017. The children were randomized into the Buzzy (n = 20), ShotBlocker (n = 20), and control (n = 20) groups. Three instruments were used to obtain the research data: Interview and Observation Form, Children's Anxiety and Pain Scale (CAPS), and Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R). RESULTS: The mean age of the children was 9.43 ± 2.18 years (range 6-12 years). There were no significant differences among preprocedural anxiety levels of the study groups in terms of self-, parent-, and observer-reported levels (p = .935, p = .374, and p = .680, respectively). Children in the control group had higher levels of pain than children in the Buzzy and ShotBlocker groups (p = .008, p = .007, and p > .001, respectively). There was a significant difference between the groups with procedural anxiety levels reported by the family and observer (p = .006 and p = .002, respectively), favoring the intervention groups. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: Nurses should be aware of pain during insulin injection and use methods for pain relief accordingly. ShotBlocker is recommended as a helpful option in cases where a pain control method is required.

Comprehensive Insights Into Pediatric Craniopharyngioma: Endocrine and Metabolic Profiles, Treatment Challenges, and Long-term Outcomes from a Multicenter Study

Objective: Craniopharyngiomas (CPG) have complex treatment challenges due to their proximity to vital structures, surgical and radiotherapeutic complexities, and the tendency for recurrence. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of endocrine and metabolic comorbidities observed during initial diagnosis and long-term follow-up in a nationwide cohort of pediatric CPG patients. A further aim was to highlight the difficulties associated with CPG management. Methods: Sixteen centers entered CPG patients into the ÇEDD NET data system. The clinical and laboratory characteristics at presentation, administered treatments, accompanying endocrine, metabolic, and other system involvements, and the patient's follow-up features were evaluated. Results: Of the 152 evaluated patients, 64 (42.1%) were female. At presentation, the mean age was 9.1±3.67, ranging from 1.46 to 16.92, years. The most common complaints at presentation were headache (68.4%), vision problems (42%), short stature (15%), and nausea and vomiting (7%). The surgical procedures were gross total resection (GTR) in 97 (63.8%) and subtotal resection in 55 (36.2%). Radiotherapy (RT) was initiated in 11.8% of the patients. Histopathological examination reported 92% were adamantinamatous type and 8% were papillary type. Postoperatively, hormone abnormalities consisted of thyroid-stimulating hormone (92.1%), adrenocorticotropic hormone (81%), antidiuretic hormone (79%), growth hormone (65.1%), and gonadotropin (43.4%) deficiencies. Recombinant growth hormone treatment (rhGH) was initiated in 27 (17.8%). The study showed hesitancy among physicians regarding rhGH. The median survival without relapse was 2.2 years. Median (range) time of relapse was 1.82 (0.13-10.35) years. Relapse was related to longer followups and reduced GTR rates. The median follow-up time was 3.13 years. Among the last follow-up visits, the prevalence of obesity was 38%, but of these, 46.5% were already obese at diagnosis. However, 20% who were not obese at baseline became obese on follow-up. Permanent visual impairment was observed in 26 (17.1%), neurological deficits in 13 (8.5%) and diabetes mellitus in 5 (3.3%) patients. Conclusion: Recurrence was predominantly due to incomplete resection and the low rate of postoperative RT. Challenges emerged for multidisciplinary regular follow ups. It is suggested that early interventions, such as dietary restrictions and increased exercise to prevent obesity, be implemented.

Comparison of anxiety, stress, and social support levels of female patients with type 1 diabetes and mothers whose children have type 1 diabetes.

Purpose: Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are insulin-dependent from diagnosis. Both the individual and their immediate circle are at risk for psychiatric morbidity. We aimed to compare the anxiety, stress, and social support levels of adult women with a diagnosis of T1DM and adult women with a child diagnosed with T1DM. Besides, the study intended to examine two groups' stress and anxiety factors. Methods: The data were collected using the Sociodemographic Data Form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Sixty-three women participated in the study. Results: There was no difference between the groups regarding anxiety, stress, and perceived social support score averages (p > 0.05 each). However, clinically significant state anxiety was higher in the group of mothers (χ²=4.234 df = 1 p = 0.040). In women with T1DM, higher education was associated with lower stress, lower state, and lower trait anxiety (r=-0.455 p = 0.004, r=-0.428 p = 0.007, r=-0.317 p = 0.049); higher numbers of insulin injections were associated with higher state anxiety (r = 0.368 p = 0.021), social support was associated with lower stress and lower trait anxiety (r=-0.478 p = 0.002, r = 0.449 p = 0.004). In mothers of diabetic children, the increase in the child's HbA1c level was associated with an increase in the mother's state anxiety (r = 0.433 p = 0.035); social support was associated with lower trait anxiety (r=-0.421 p = 0.040). Conclusion: Caring for a child with T1DM was stressful and anxiety-provoking as having T1DM. Interventions including social support, may benefit mental health in mothers of diabetic children and women with T1DM.

Further Evidence for RFWD3 Gene Causing Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group W: Detailed Clinical Report of the Second Case in the Literature.

Introduction: Fanconi anemia (FA) is a heterogeneous genetic disorder that is characterized by progressive bone marrow failure, congenital malformations, predisposition to malignancy, and short stature. The RFWD3 gene was recently associated with FA complementation group W, and only 1 patient is reported in the literature so far. Case Presentation: Here, we report the second patient, a 10-year-old male, who has failure to thrive, central nervous system abnormalities, bilateral radial ray defects, urogenital anomalies, facial dysmorphism, and thrombocytopenia. The patient was suspected to have FA according to the aforementioned findings, and the homozygous c.1501C>T variant in the RFWD3 gene was detected by whole-exome sequencing. The diepoxybutane test and mitomycin C-induced peripheral blood cultures revealed 0.46 and 0.90 chromosomal breaks, respectively. Conclusion: In this article, clinical findings of the second patient with FA complementation group W are discussed in detail, aiming to expand the clinical and molecular spectrums of the disease.

Relation of serum irisin levels to obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Irisin is a newly defined myokine which is induced by exercise, which stimulates white fat cells to have the characteristics of brown adipose tissue cell. It thereby causes thermogenesis, energy and weight loss and improvement in insulin sensitivity. These effects of irisin suggest that it may be associated with obesity, insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship of serum irisin levels in obese children with NAFLD. A total of 60 pubertal obese adolescents (age range: 11-18 yrs) as well as age and sex matched 28 healthy children were included in the study. Thirty of obese patients had NAFLD. RESULTS: The median irisin levels were lower in the obese patients both with and without NAFLD when compared with the control group. NAFLD group had a higher BMI than obese controls, however, the irisin levels were not different between these groups. The irisin levels were negatively correlated with BMI, BMI SDS, waist, hip and arm circumferences, waist/hip ratio, triceps-biceps skinfold thickness and AST, ALT levels in the all study groups. However, it was positively correlated with BMI, BMI SDS and waist and hip circumference in the entire obese group and positively with BMI SDS in the NAFLD subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Consequently, circulating irisin levels are lower in obese adolescents and negatively correlated with body adiposity. In NAFLD patients, it may be related to steatosis and may decrease with liver damage.

A case of familial recurrent 17q12 microdeletion syndrome presenting with severe diabetic ketoacidosis.

BACKGROUND: Heterozygous intragenic mutations of the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 homeobox b gene (HNF1B) located on chromosome 17 and microdeletion of 17q12 region (17q12MD) leads to the complete loss of this gene, which causes renal cystic disease, diabetes mellitus (MODY5), hypomagnesemia, hyperuricemia, liver enzyme abnormalities, genital tract abnormalities and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. In addition, patients with 17q12MD also have facial dysmorphism, neuro-developmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. CASE: A 16-year-old girl with obesity and mild facial dysmorphism was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of diabetes that started two days prior to her admission. She was diagnosed with severe diabetic ketoacidosis and treated accordingly. She had been followed up with the diagnoses of multicystic renal disease, hydronephrosis, hepatosteatosis, hypomagnesemia and hyperuricemia since the age of six. She had mild intellectual disability. Her menarche started two months ago. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed mild diffuse cerebral and cerebellar atrophy and a partial empty sella. Her mother had diabetes, hypomagnesemia and mild intellectual disability and her maternal grandfather and uncle had diabetes. Her grandfather also had renal cystic disease. All of them are on oral antidiabetic medication. The genetic analysis of the patient and her mother revealed a loss of 1.6 megabases in chromosome 17q12. CONCLUSIONS: MODY5 should be kept in mind in patients with diabetes who present with extra pancreatic findings, especially with renal cystic disease, more over, a genetic analysis including the study of 17q12MD should be carried out in patients who present with additional neuropsychiatric findings. Ketoacidosis can be seen in patients with MODY5. Ketoacidosis and renal anomalies and dysfunction are factors that increase and affect the severity of each other in these patients.

Increased Severe Cases and New-Onset Type 1 Diabetes Among Children Presenting With Diabetic Ketoacidosis During First Year of COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey.

Introduction: There have been some significant changes regarding healthcare utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic. Majority of the reports about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on diabetes care are from the first wave of the pandemic. We aim to evaluate the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the severity of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and new onset Type 1 diabetes presenting with DKA, and also evaluate children with DKA and acute COVID-19 infection. Methods: This is a retrospective multi-center study among 997 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes who were admitted with DKA to 27 pediatric intensive care units in Turkey between the first year of pandemic and pre-pandemic year. Results: The percentage of children with new-onset Type 1 diabetes presenting with DKA was higher during the COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.0001). The incidence of severe DKA was also higher during the COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.0001) and also higher among children with new onset Type 1 diabetes (p < 0.0001). HbA1c levels, duration of insulin infusion, and length of PICU stay were significantly higher/longer during the pandemic period. Eleven patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, eight were positive for new onset Type 1 diabetes, and nine tested positive for severe DKA at admission. Discussion: The frequency of new onset of Type 1 diabetes and severe cases among children with DKA during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the cause of the increased severe presentation might be related to restrictions related to the pandemic; however, need to evaluate the potential effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the increased percentage of new onset Type 1 diabetes.

The association of lipid metabolism and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children with obesity.

AIM: Obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia have been shown as risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In this study, the association between lipid and lipoprotein metabolism abnormalities and the presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was investigated in patients with obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, the clinical, laboratory and imaging findings of 357 children and adolescent patients (199 girls and 158 boys) aged 2-18 years who were diagnosed as having obesity between 2013 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical and laboratory features of the patients who were diagnosed as having non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using ultrasonography were compared with patients who did not have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. All lipid and lipoprotein levels were defined as hypo-, normo- and hyperlipidemic in comparison with the reference values according to age and sex. RESULTS: The frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was 44.5% in the entire study group and was higher in males (p<0.05). The body weight, body mass index, alanine aminotransferase, glucose, insulin, non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and HOMA-IR scores were found to be higher in the patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, whereas the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level was lower (p<0.05). There was no difference in the frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among the patients with low, normal, and high total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels (p>0.05). The frequency of lipid metabolism disorder (hypolipidemia and/or hyperlipidemia) was found as 77.5% in all patients. CONCLUSION: Non-alcoholic liver disease and lipid metabolism disorders are common in children and adolescents with obesity. The frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in hypolipidemic, normolipidemic, and hyperlipidemic patients was not different. This finding indicated that the increase in the amount of body fatty tissue and insulin resistance were more important risk factors in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Revisiting Classical 3ß-hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase 2 Deficiency: Lessons from 31 Pediatric Cases.

CONTEXT: The clinical effects of classical 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (3ßHSD2) deficiency are insufficiently defined due to a limited number of published cases. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an integrated steroid metabolome and the short- and long-term clinical features of 3ßHSD2 deficiency. DESIGN: Multicenter, cross-sectional study. SETTING: Nine tertiary pediatric endocrinology clinics across Turkey. PATIENTS: Children with clinical diagnosis of 3ßHSD2 deficiency. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical manifestations, genotype-phenotype-metabolomic relations. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate the data of patients with clinical 3ßHSD2 deficiency. Genetic analysis of HSD3B2 was performed using Sanger sequencing. Novel HSD3B2 mutations were studied in vitro. Nineteen plasma adrenal steroids were measured using LC-MS/MS. RESULTS: Eleven homozygous HSD3B2 mutations (6 novel) were identified in 31 children (19 male/12 female; mean age: 6.6 ±â€…5.1 yrs). The patients with homozygous pathogenic HSD3B2 missense variants of > 5% of wild type 3ßHSD2 activity in vitro had a non-salt-losing clinical phenotype. Ambiguous genitalia was an invariable feature of all genetic males, whereas only 1 of 12 female patients presented with virilized genitalia. Premature pubarche was observed in 78% of patients. In adolescence, menstrual irregularities and polycystic ovaries in females and adrenal rest tumors and gonadal failure in males were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Genetically-documented 3ßHSD2 deficiency includes salt-losing and non-salt-losing clinical phenotypes. Spared mineralocorticoid function and unvirilized genitalia in females may lead to misdiagnosis and underestimation of the frequency of 3ßHSD2 deficiency. High baseline 17OHPreg to cortisol ratio and low 11-oxyandrogen concentrations by LC-MS/MS unequivocally identifies patients with 3ßHSD2 deficiency.

Nationwide Turkish Cohort Study of Hypophosphatemic Rickets

Objective: Hypophosphatemic rickets (HR) is a rare renal phosphate-wasting disorder, which is usually X-linked and is commonly caused by PHEX mutations. The treatment and follow-up of HR is challenging due to imperfect treatment options. Methods: Here we present nationwide initial and follow-up data on HR. Results: From 24 centers, 166 patients were included in the study. Genetic analysis (n=75) showed PHEX mutation in 80% of patients. The mean follow-up period was 6.7±2.4 years. During the first 3-years of treatment (n=91), mild increase in phosphate, decrease in alkaline phosphatase and elevation in parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were detected. The height standard deviation scores were -2.38, -2.77, -2.72, -2.47 at initial, 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of treatment, respectively (p>0.05). On follow-up 36% of the patients showed complete or significant improvement in leg deformities and these patients had similar phosphate levels at presentation with better levels in 1st and 2nd years of treatment; even the treatment doses of phosphate were similar. Furthermore, 27 patients developed nephrocalcinosis (NC), the patients showed no difference in biochemical differences at presentation and follow-up, but 3rd year PTH was higher. However, higher treatment doses of phosphate and calcitriol were found in the NC group. Conclusion: HR treatment and follow-up is challenging and our results showed higher treatment doses were associated with NC without any change in serum phosphate levels, suggesting that giving higher doses led to increased phosphaturia, probably through stimulation of fibroblast growth factor 23. However, higher calcitriol doses could improve bone deformities. Safer and more efficacious therapies are needed.

Quality-of-life Evaluation of Healthy Siblings of Children with Chronic Illness

Background: Chronic disease of children can cause changes in the health-related quality of life (HrQoL) of the family members. Aims: To evaluate the HrQoL of healthy siblings of children with chronic disease. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The study included healthy sibling of children with chronic disease (cerebral palsy, epilepsy, diabetes, celiac disease, hematologic/oncologic disease, or asthma) and healthy sibling of healthy children to evaluate the quality of life. We used the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory questionnaire; the physical health and psychosocial health scores were calculated using the responses of the sibling and parent. The primary endpoint was the comparison of HrQoL scores of healthy siblings of children with chronic disease and that of healthy siblings of healthy children. Results: This study included a respective healthy sibling of 191 children with chronic disease and healthy sibling of 100 healthy children. The physical health, psychosocial health, and total health scores of healthy siblings of children with chronic disease were significantly lower than that of healthy siblings of healthy children (p<0.001). Among the healthy siblings of children with chronic disease, the lowest psychosocial health score was found in the siblings of children with cerebral palsy, hematologic/oncologic disease, and asthma (p<0.001). The global impact on the quality of life for healthy siblings of children with chronic disease was significantly higher in the self-report of the children than that of the parents (30.4% versus 15.1%, p<0.05). Conclusion: Most healthy siblings of children with chronic disease are physically and psychosocially affected and there is low parental awareness of this condition. This can increase the risk of emotional neglect and abuse of these children. Therefore, special support programs are needed for the families of children with chronic diseases.

The Frequency of Metabolic Syndrome and Serum Osteopontin Levels in Survivors of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

PURPOSE: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity have increasingly been reported in survivors of childhood cancer. Osteopontin (OPN) is primarily synthesized in adipose tissue and is thought to have a role in obesity and the development of insulin resistance (IR). The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of MetS in survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and to establish the relationship between serum OPN levels and anthropometric measurements and glucose metabolism. METHODS: A total 50 survivors of ALL (median age: 10.5 years; post-treatment interval 4.54 ± 2.48 years), and 20 healthy children (median age: 11 years) were included in the study. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and serum glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment and IR index (HOMA-IR index), lipoprotein, thyroid hormone levels, and OPN levels were measured. RESULTS: Twenty-one (42%) survivors were overweight/obese, 2 (5.1%) survivors had MetS, 7 (14%) survivors had IR, and 19 (38%) survivors had dyslipidemia. Fasting insulin levels and HOMA-IR of the overweight/obese survivors were significantly higher than those of the normal-weight survivors (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) and control group (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01). The serum OPN level was significantly lower in the overweight/obese survivor than in the normal-weight survivor and control group (37.42 ng/mL [range, 27.32-62.07], 69.02 ng/mL [range, 40.29-88.21], and 85.7 ng/mL [range 67.7-102.3]; p < 0.01, p < 0.001, respectively). Serum OPN levels were inversely correlated with anthropometric measurements and HOMA-IR index in all the subjects. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that obesity and IR are associated with decreased serum OPN levels in childhood survivors of ALL.

Analysis of the GCK gene in 79 MODY type 2 patients: A multicenter Turkish study, mutation profile and description of twenty novel mutations.

Maturity onset diabetes is a genetic form of diabetes mellitus characterized by an early age at onset and several etiologic genes for this form of diabetes have been identified in many patients. Maturity onset diabetes type 2 [MODY2 (#125851)] caused by mutations in the glucokinase gene (GCK). Although its prevalence is not clear, it is estimated that 1%-2% of patients with diabetes have the monogenic form. The aim of this study was to evaluate the molecular spectrum of GCK gene mutations in 177 Turkish MODY type 2 patients. Mutations in the GCK gene were identified in 79 out of 177. All mutant alleles were identified, including 45 different GCK mutations, 20 of which were novel.

Two Frameshift Mutations in MKRN3 in Turkish Patients with Familial Central Precocious Puberty.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the genetic causes responsible for idiopathic central precocious puberty (iCPP). More recently, described loss-of-function mutations in the makorin ring finger protein 3 (MKRN3) gene have been demonstrated to be involved in the pathogenesis of familial iCPP. AIM: The objective of this study was to investigate the potential role of MKRN3 in patients with familial iCPP. METHODS: We investigated potential sequence variations in the maternal imprinted MKRN3 gene using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) analysis in 31 participants from 2 families (6 participants were diagnosed with familial iCPP on the basis of clinical and hormonal findings). Six patients diagnosed with familial iCPP and their unaffected first- and second-degree relatives, including their grandparents, were screened for MKRN3 gene variants. RESULTS: Two heterozygous frameshift mutations (c.441_441delG, p.H148Tfs*23 and c803_803delAT, p.M268Vfs*23) were described in the MKRN3 gene in 2 probands with familial iCPP and in some of their family members. These frameshift mutations create a premature stop codon and result in a truncated protein. CONCLUSIONS: Our report further expands the MKRN3 gene mutation spectrum in patients with familial iCPP. Screening for potential MKRN3 variants should be performed in patients with familial iCPP as well as in patients with sporadic iCPP.

A case of Donohue syndrome "Leprechaunism" with a novel mutation in the insulin receptor gene.

Donohue syndrome (Leprechaunism) is characterized by severe insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, postprandial hyperglycemia, preprandial hypoglycemia, intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation, dysmorphic findings, and clinical and laboratory findings of hyperandrogenemia due to homozygous or compound heterozygous inactivating mutations in the insulin receptor gene. A female newborn presented with lack of subcutaneous fat tissue, bilateral simian creases, hypertrichosis, especially on her face, gingival hypertrophy, cliteromegaly, and prominent nipples. Her laboratory tests revealed hyperandrogenism, postprandial hyperglycemia and preprandial hypoglycemia, and very high concurrent insulin levels. She was diagnosed as having Donohue syndrome. Metformin and continuous nasogastric feeding were administrated. During follow-up, relatively good glycemic control was obtained. However, severe hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and severe malnutrition developed. She died aged 75 days of severe heart failure and pneumonia. Her insulin receptors gene analysis revealed a compound heterozygous mutation. One of these mutations was a p.R813 (c.2437C>T) mutation, which was defined previously and shown also in her father, the other mutation was a novel p.777-790delVAAFPNTSSTSVPT mutation, also shown in her mother. The parents were heterozygous for these mutations.

A novel mutation in a case of pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ia.

Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) type Ia is characterized by multiple hormone resistance; primarily parathyroid hormone (PTH) resistance and Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO) which involves skeletal and developmental defects. The AHO phenotype alone without hormone resistance is defined as pseudoPHP. A boy was first diagnosed as having both rickets and primary hypothyroidism at 2.5 months of age. His calcium level remained within normal levels after vitamin D treatment, but, elevated PTH and ALP levels and normal-high phosphate levels persisted during his follow-up by age of 2.5 years. He was admitted with hypocalcemic convulsions as well as hyperphosphatemia and elevated PTH levels suggested PTH resistance at 2.5 years of age. He and his mother were obese and had round faces, frontal bossing, small noses, flat nasal bridges, brachydactyly. His mother showed no hormonal resistance. These findings indicated that our patient had PHP type Ia and his mother had pseudoPHP. The same novel heterozygous mutation in the GNAS gene (IVS4+5G > C) was identified in both of patients.

Blood lead levels of maternal-cord pairs, children and adults who live in a central urban area in Turkey.

Lead levels were measured in blood samples of 99 adults, 180 children and 143 pregnant women living in Eskisehir, an urban area in Turkey. One hundred and twenty 120 cord blood and 93 breast-milk samples were also obtained. Mean lead level in blood of adults, children, pregnants, cord blood and in breast-milk samples were 3.13 +/- 1.4 microg/dl, 3.56 +/- 1.7 microg/dl, 2.8 +/- 1.5 microg/dl, 1.65 +/- 1.4 microg/dl and 2.34 +/- 1 microg/L, respectively. It was higher in men than in women in adults (p<0.05) and in iron-deficient children than in those not deficient (p<0.01), and was negatively correlated with body weight (BW) and hemoglobin (Hb) in children (p<0.05 for both). Maternal lead level was strongly related with cord blood and breast-milk lead contents (p<0.001, p<0.0001, respectively). The lead exposure in this region is much lower than the critical level defined for lead poisoning as >10 microg/dl by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention iron deficiency poor nutrition are the risk factors to lead exposure in children.

Biallelic RFX6 mutations can cause childhood as well as neonatal onset diabetes mellitus.

Neonatal diabetes is a highly genetically heterogeneous disorder. There are over 20 distinct syndromic and non-syndromic forms, including dominant, recessive and X-linked subtypes. Biallelic truncating or mis-sense mutations in the DNA-binding domain of the RFX6 transcription factor cause an autosomal recessive, syndromic form of neonatal diabetes previously described as Mitchell-Riley syndrome. In all, eight cases have been reported, with the age at onset of diabetes in the first 2 weeks of life. Here we report two individuals born to double first cousins in whom intestinal atresias consistent with a diagnosis of Mitchell-Riley syndrome were diagnosed at birth, but in whom diabetes did not present until the ages of 3 and 6 years. Novel compound heterozygous RFX6 nonsense mutations (p.Arg726X/p.Arg866X) were identified at the 3' end of the gene. The later onset of diabetes in these patients may be due to incomplete inactivation of RFX6. Genetic testing for RFX6 mutations should be considered in patients presenting with intestinal atresias in the absence of neonatal diabetes.

Five novel mutations in the SCNN1A gene causing autosomal recessive pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1.

BACKGROUND: Pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 (PHA1) is a monogenic disease caused by mutations in the genes encoding the human mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) or the α (SCNN1A), ß (SCNN1B) or γ (SCNN1G) subunit of the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC). While autosomal dominant mutation of the MR cause renal PHA1, autosomal recessive mutations of the ENaC lead to systemic PHA1. In the latter, affected children suffer from neonatal onset of multi-organ salt loss and often exhibit cystic fibrosis-like pulmonary symptoms. OBJECTIVE: We searched for underlying mutations in seven unrelated children with systemic PHA1, all offsprings of healthy consanguineous parents. METHODS AND RESULTS: Amplification of the SCNN1A gene and sequencing of all 13 coding exons unraveled mutations in all of our patients. We found five novel homozygous mutations (c.587_588insC in two patients, c.1342_1343insTACA, c.742delG, c.189C>A, c.1361-2A>G) and one known mutation (c.1474C>T) leading to truncation of the αENaC protein. All parents were asymptomatic heterozygous carriers of the respective mutations, confirming the autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Five out of seven patients exhibited pulmonary symptoms in the neonatal period. CONCLUSION: The α subunit is essential for ENaC function and mutations truncating the pore-forming part of the protein leading to systemic PHA1. Based on current knowledge, the pulmonary phenotype cannot be satisfactorily predicted.

Serum visfatin levels, adiposity and glucose metabolism in obese adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: Visfatin, an adipokine, has insulin-mimetic effects. The main determinants of both the production and the physiologic role of visfatin are still unclear. The aim of this study is to determine the relation of serum visfatin to adiposity and glucose metabolism. METHODS: 40 pubertal adolescents (20 females, 20 males; age range: 9-17 years) with exogenous obesity and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy adolescents (10 females, 10 males) were enrolled in the study. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in the obese group. Serum glucose, insulin and visfatin levels were analyzed in the fasting state in the controls and at 0, 60 and 120 minutes during the OGTT in the obese group. RESULTS: The obese group had higher serum visfatin levels than the control group [11.6 (3.3-26) ng/mL vs. 7.5 (3.3-10.5) ng/mL, p<0.001[. Visfatin levels were correlated positively with body mass index, waist/hip ratio, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance and negatively with glucose/insulin ratio in the combined group (obese subjects plus controls). Visfatin levels were essentially similar in obese subjects with and without insulin resistance (p>0.05). Serum visfatin levels did not change at 60 and 120 minutes of the OGTT compared to the baseline levels (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Serum visfatin levels are elevated in obese adolescents and do not change with acute changes in glucose metabolism. Visfatin levels are related with adiposity and glucose metabolism parameters. However, the role and contribution of adiposity and glucose metabolism to the circulating visfatin levels in obese patients remain to be explored.