Hemoglobin A1c trajectories in the first 18 months after diabetes diagnosis in the SWEET diabetes registry.

AIM: A majority of youth with type 1 diabetes do not meet recommended hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) targets. The SWEET diabetes registry is a multi-national registry of youth with diabetes. We used data from this registry to identify characteristics associated with glycemic control. METHODS: Patients in the SWEET diabetes registry with at least one HbA1c value within 10 days of diagnosis and three follow up measurements in the first 18 months of diagnosis were included (~10% of the SWEET diabetes registry). Locally weighted scatterplot smoothing was used to generate curves of HbA1c. Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis, or χ2-tests were used to calculate differences between groups. RESULTS: The mean HbA1c of youth in the SWEET diabetes registry is highest at diagnosis and lowest between months 4 and 5 post-diabetes diagnosis. HbA1c continues to increase steadily through the first 18 months of diagnosis. There are no differences in HbA1c trajectories based on sex or use of diabetes technology. Youth in North America/Australia/New Zealand had the highest HbA1c throughout the first 18 months of diagnosis. The trajectory of youth from countries with nationalized health insurance was lower than those countries without nationalized health insurance. Youth from countries with the highest gross domestic product (GDP) had the highest HbA1c throughout the first 18 months of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: In this subset of patients, the trajectory of youth from countries with nationalized health insurance was lower than those countries without nationalized health insurance. High GDP and high use of technology did not seem to protect from a higher trajectory.

Pre-school and school-aged children benefit from the switch from a sensor-augmented pump to an AndroidAPS hybrid closed loop: A retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Data on closed loop systems in young children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are limited. We tested the efficacy and safety of an open-source, do-it-yourself automated insulin delivery system AndroidAPS in preschool and school-aged children. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed diabetes control in 18 preschool (3-7 years) and 18 school-aged children (8-14 years) with T1D who switched from a sensor-augmented pump (SAP) to AndroidAPS. We compared the CGM parameters and HbA1c levels 3 months before and 6 months after the initiation of AndroidAPS therapy and evaluated frequency of severe adverse events during AndroidAPS use, the most frequent reasons for its interruption, and the experience and psychosocial benefits of AndroidAPS use. RESULTS: General glycemic control was significantly improved after the switch from SAP to AndroidAPS. Time in range (TIR) increased in both preschool (70.8%-78.6%, p = 0.004) and school-aged children (77.2%-82.9%, p < 0.001), whereas HbA1c levels decreased (preschool children 53.8-48.5 mmol/mol, p < 0.001; school-aged children 52.6-45.1 mmol/mol, p = 0.001). Time spent in range of 3.0-3.8 mmol/L increased slightly in school children (2.6%-3.8%, p = 0.040), but not in preschool children (3.0%-3.0%, p = 0.913). Time spent at <3 mmol/L remained unchanged in both preschool (0.95%-0.67%, p = 0.432) and school-aged children (0.8%-0.8%, p = 1.000). No episodes of severe hypoglycemia or DKA and significant improvement of quality of life were reported by AndroidAPS users. CONCLUSIONS: AndroidAPS seems effective for T1D control both in preschool and school-age children but further validation by prospective studies is necessary.

Gluten-free diet in children with recent-onset type 1 diabetes: A 12-month intervention trial.

AIM: To test whether a gluten-free diet (GFD) is associated with the deceleration of the decline in beta-cell capacity in non-coeliac children with recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes. METHODS: Forty-five children (aged 10.2 ± 3.3 years) were recruited into a self-selected intervention trial: 26 started with a GFD within a median of 38 days postonset, whereas 19 remained on a standard diet. The main outcomes were the decline in C-peptide area under the curve (AUC) in mixed-meal tolerance tests (MMTTs) at 6 and 12 months relative to 1 month after diabetes onset and the difference in insulin dose, insulin dose-adjusted A1c (IDAA1c) and HbA1c assessed every 3 months. The adherence to the GFD was verified by immunoreactive gluten in the stool and by food questionnaires at every visit. Quality of life (QoL) questionnaires were administered to the participants at the end of the intervention at 12 months. The data were analysed as per protocol (in 39 subjects who duly completed the whole follow-up: 20 in the GFD group, 19 in the control group) by linear and longitudinal regression models adjusted for sex, age and baseline variables. RESULTS: At 12 months, the difference in C-peptide AUC between subjects in the GFD group and controls was 205 pmol/L (95% CI -223 to 633; P = 0.34) in a model adjusted for age, sex and body weight, and for baseline insulin dose, MMTT C-peptide AUC and HbA1c assessed at 1 month after diagnosis. In a longitudinal analysis of all three time points adjusted for age, sex and body weight, C-peptide declined more slowly in the GFD group than in controls, with the difference in trends being 409 pmol/L/year (P = 0.04). The GFD group had a marginally lower insulin dose (by 0.15 U/kg/day; P = 0.07), a lower IDAA1c (by 1.37; P = 0.01) and a lower mean HbA1c (by 0.7% [7.8 mmol/mol]; P = 0.02) than those of the controls at 12 months. There was no appreciable difference between the groups in daily carbohydrate intake (P = 0.49) or in the QoL reported by the patients (P = 0.70) and their parents/caregivers (P = 0.59). CONCLUSIONS: A GFD maintained over the first year after type 1 diabetes diagnosis was associated with better HbA1c and a prolonged partial remission period. There was a hint of slower C-peptide decline but the association was not strong enough to make definite conclusions.

Five years of improving diabetes control in Czech children after the establishment of the population-based childhood diabetes register CENDA.

OBJECTIVES: The Czech National Childhood Diabetes Register (CENDA) is a web-based nationwide database that collects treatment and outcome data in children and adolescents with diabetes. Here, we present data from the first 5 years of CENDA (2013-2017). METHODS: Data include characteristics of disease onset and annual summaries of key clinical care parameters from every patient treated by participating pediatric diabetes outpatient clinics. RESULTS: The database contains data of 4361 children (aged 0-19 years) from 52 centers (85% of all Czech pediatric patients). Of these, 94% had type 1 diabetes (T1D), 4.5% had genetically proven monogenic or secondary, and 1.5% had type 2 diabetes. In children with T1D, median glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) decreased throughout the observed period from 66.3 to 61.0 mmol/mol (P < .0001, 95% confidence interval [CI] for change -5.6 to -4 mmol/mol). Consequently, the proportion of children reaching the target therapeutic goal of 58.5 mmol/mol increased from 28% in 2013 to 40% in 2017. The proportion of children treated with insulin pumps (CSII) remained stable over the observed period (25%). In a subanalysis of 1602 patients (long-standing T1D diagnosed before 2011), the main predictors associated with lower HbA1c were treatment with CSII, male sex and care provided at a large diabetes center (>100 patients). CONCLUSIONS: A significant continuous decrease in HbA1c was observed in Czech children over the past 5 years. As this improvement was not accompanied by appreciable changes in the mode of therapy, we assume that the establishment of our nationwide register has itself constituted a stimulus towards improvement in the care process.

Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells from Poorly Compensated Type 1 Diabetes Patients Have Decreased Ability To Induce Stable Antigen-Specific T Cell Hyporesponsiveness and Generation of Suppressive Regulatory T Cells.

Tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs) may offer an interesting intervention strategy to re-establish Ag-specific tolerance in autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes (T1D). T1D results from selective destruction of insulin-producing ß cells leading to hyperglycemia that, in turn, specifically affects a patient's immune system. In this study, we prepared monocyte-derived tolDCs modulated by dexamethasone and vitamin D2 from 31 T1D patients with optimal glycemic control and 60 T1D patients with suboptimal glycemic control and assessed their tolerogenic properties in correlation with metabolic state of patients. tolDCs differentiated from both groups of patients acquired a regulatory phenotype and an anti-inflammatory profile. Interestingly, tolDCs from well-controlled patients expressed higher levels of inhibitory molecules IL-T3 and PD-L1. Additionally, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)65-loaded tolDCs from well-controlled patients decreased significantly primary Th1/Th17 responses, induced stable GAD65-specific T cell hyporesponsiveness, and suppressed markedly control DC-induced GAD65-specific T cell activation compared with poorly controlled patients. The ability of tolDCs from poorly controlled patients to induce durable GAD65-specific T cell hyporesponsiveness was reversed once the control of glycemia improved. In both groups of patients, tolDCs were able to induce regulatory T cells from autologous naive CD4+ T cells. However, regulatory T cells from well-controlled patients had better suppressive abilities. The functionality of tolDCs was confirmed in the adoptive transfer model of NOD-SCID mice where tolDCs delayed diabetes onset. These results suggest that metabolic control of T1D affects the functional characteristics of tolDCs and subsequent effector T cell responses. Metabolic control may be relevant for refining inclusion criteria of clinical trials in the settings of T1D.

Primary School Performance of Girls with Turner Syndrome: A Transcultural Assessment.

OBJECTIVES: We analyzed primary school performance of girls with Turner syndrome (TS) in two distinct countries to ascertain if the cognitive phenotype of TS causes selective learning difficulties. METHODS: The cohort comprised of 44 Czech and 50 Egyptian girls with TS who attended public schools. School reports from grades 1 to 9 were obtained retrospectively from Czech participants with TS. Only recent school reports were obtained from Egyptian participants. Two controls per participant were requested - biological sisters and/or female classmates. The results were converted into a 5-point scale (1-excellent; 5-unsatisfactory). RESULTS: Analysis of longitudinal Czech data displayed a strong time component in both subjects and controls. Showing better points in lower grades with its gradual worsening as the education complexity increased. In contrast, there was a strong statistically significant difference between groups in Mathematics (p=0.0041, p=0.0205 after Bonferroni correction) and this difference increased over time. The points for Mathematics did not differ in grades 1+2 (0.05 difference in mean grade between the two groups), however, they differed by 0.28 in grades 6+7 and by 0.32 in grades 8+9. While slightly different in character (cross-sectional vs. longitudinal), the Egyptian cohort data confirmed our findings, showing no difference in general school performance but having similar trends in Mathematics (grades 1+2: 0.11, grades 6+7: 0.54, grades 8+9: 0.68; p=0.0058, p=0.029 after Bonferroni correction). CONCLUSION: Excluding results in Mathematics, which showed pronounced worsening in relation to age in comparison with unaffected controls, girls with TS performed similarly to their controls.

Combined pituitary hormone deficiency due to gross deletions in the POU1F1 (PIT-1) and PROP1 genes.

Pituitary development depends on a complex cascade of interacting transcription factors and signaling molecules. Lesions in this cascade lead to isolated or combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD). The aim of this study was to identify copy number variants (CNVs) in genes known to cause CPHD and to determine their structure. We analyzed 70 CPHD patients from 64 families. Deletions were found in three Turkish families and one family from northern Iraq. In one family we identified a 4.96 kb deletion that comprises the first two exons of POU1F1. In three families a homozygous 15.9 kb deletion including complete PROP1 was discovered. Breakpoints map within highly homologous AluY sequences. Haplotype analysis revealed a shared haplotype of 350 kb among PROP1 deletion carriers. For the first time we were able to assign the boundaries of a previously reported PROP1 deletion. This gross deletion shows strong evidence to originate from a common ancestor in patients with Kurdish descent. No CNVs within LHX3, LHX4, HESX1, GH1 and GHRHR were found. Our data prove multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification to be a valuable tool for the detection of CNVs as cause of pituitary insufficiencies and should be considered as an analytical method particularly in Kurdish patients.

HbA1c but not diabetes duration predicts increased arterial stiffness in adolescents with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of macrovascular complications is probably underestimated in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Arterial stiffness (AS) is a subclinical marker of cardiovascular (CV) risk. The most validated, non-invasive method for AS measurement is pulse wave velocity (PWV). Only a few PWV studies have been performed in children with T1D. OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors associated with AS in adolescents with suboptimally controlled T1D. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-seven adolescents with T1D were included (39 girls, 38 boys) in this study. The adolescents had a median age of 16 yr (IQR 14-17), median duration of T1D was 9 yr (IQR 6-16), and HbA1c 71 mmol/mol (median, IQR 62-81). PWV was measured as the carotid-femoral pulse transmission time and converted into standard deviation scores (SDS) (adjusted for gender and age) using normative values for children. The risk factors assessed were HbA1c, T1D duration, treatment modality, serum lipids, and blood pressure (BP) measured via ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). RESULTS: The PWV did not differ from the reference data (median PWV was 5.1 m/s, i.e., -0.01 SDS). A significant positive association was observed between PWV-SDS and HbA1c (p = 0.001), total cholesterol (p = 0.003), LDL-cholesterol (p = 0.003), but not T1D duration (p = 0.78) according to the univariate analyses. In the multivariate model, the only significant variable that remained positively associated with PWV-SDS was HbA1c (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Most adolescents with suboptimally controlled T1D have normal mean PWV compared to a healthy reference population. Chronic hyperglycemia, not T1D duration, is the main predictor of AS in adolescents.

Insulin pump therapy in children with type 1 diabetes: analysis of data from the SWEET registry.

BACKGROUND: Intensified insulin delivery using multiple daily injections (MDI) or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) is recommended in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) to achieve good metabolic control. OBJECTIVE: To examine the frequency of pump usage in T1D children treated in SWEET (Better control in Paediatric and Adolescent diabeteS: Working to crEate CEnTers of Reference) centers and to compare metabolic control between patients treated with CSII vs MDI. METHODS: This study included 16 570 T1D children participating in the SWEET prospective, multicenter, standardized diabetes patient registry. Datasets were aggregated over the most recent year of treatment for each patient. Data were collected until March 2016. To assess the organization of pump therapy a survey was carried out. RESULTS: Overall, 44.4% of T1D children were treated with CSII. The proportion of patients with pump usage varied between centers and decreased with increasing age compared with children treated with MDI. In a logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, gender and diabetes duration, the use of pump was associated with both: center size [odd ratio 1.51 (1.47-1.55), P < .0001) and the diabetes-related expenditure per capita [odd ratio 1.55 (1.49-1.61), P < .0001]. Linear regression analysis, adjusted for age, gender, and diabetes duration showed that both HbA1c and daily insulin dose (U/kg/d) remained decreased in children treated with CSII compared to MDI (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Insulin pump therapy is offered by most Sweet centers. The differences between centers affect the frequency of use of modern technology. Despite the heterogeneity of centers, T1D children achieve relatively good metabolic control, especially those treated with insulin pumps and those of younger age.

Negativity for Specific Autoantibodies in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes That Developed on a Background of Common Variable Immunodeficiency.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by disturbed antibody production and a dysregulated immune system. Aside from recurrent infections, the most common complications of CVID are autoimmune complications, particularly autoimmune cytopenias. To date, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) in combination with CVID has only been described as an unusual complication in several reports, but the true incidence of T1D with CVID remains unknown. We describe 2 patients with a combination of T1D and CVID with serious impairment of antibody production. We also provide a review of the available literature. T1D-specific insulin autoantibodies and autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase and tyrosine phosphatase IA2 were not detected in either of our patients at the time of diagnosis or during the course of the disease. In both cases, T1D manifestation and diagnosis preceded the discovery of CVID by several years. Following the diagnosis of immunodeficiency and the start of immunoglobulin substitution therapy, their clinical status improved, manifesting as a lower frequency of infections and improved T1D control, with decreased glycosylated hemoglobin A1c values. Based on these reported cases, we assume that T1D might be more frequent than previously reported in patients with CVID. To verify the actual incidence of T1D among CVID patients, we searched the European Society for Immunodeficiencies Registry database, and found 25 cases of T1D in 1,671 listed CVID patients, suggesting a higher occurrence of T1D among CVID patients than previously thought. Early diagnosis and treatment of immunodeficiency improve both the prognosis and the course of CVID, reduce the frequency and severity of infections and may contribute to better management of T1D.

The Genetic Landscape of Children Born Small for Gestational Age with Persistent Short Stature.

INTRODUCTION: Among children born small for gestational age, 10-15% fail to catch up and remain short (SGA-SS). The underlying mechanisms are mostly unknown. We aimed to decipher genetic aetiologies of SGA-SS within a large single-centre cohort. METHODS: Out of 820 patients treated with growth hormone (GH), 256 were classified as SGA-SS (birth length and/or birth weight <-2 SD for gestational age and life-minimum height <-2.5 SD). Those with the DNA triplet available (child and both parents) were included in the study (176/256). Targeted testing (karyotype/FISH/MLPA/specific Sanger sequencing) was performed if a specific genetic disorder was clinically suggestive. All remaining patients underwent MS-MLPA to identify Silver-Russell syndrome, and those with unknown genetic aetiology were subsequently examined using whole-exome sequencing or targeted panel of 398 growth-related genes. Genetic variants were classified using ACMG guidelines. RESULTS: The genetic aetiology was elucidated in 74/176 (42%) children. Of these, 12/74 (16%) had pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) gene variants affecting pituitary development (LHX4, OTX2, PROKR2, PTCH1, POU1F1), the GH-IGF-1 or IGF-2 axis (GHSR, IGFALS, IGF1R, STAT3, HMGA2), 2/74 (3%) the thyroid axis (TRHR, THRA), 17/74 (23%) the cartilaginous matrix (ACAN, various collagens, FLNB, MATN3), and 7/74 (9%) the paracrine chondrocyte regulation (FGFR3, FGFR2, NPR2). In 12/74 (16%), we revealed P/LP affecting fundamental intracellular/intranuclear processes (CDC42, KMT2D, LMNA, NSD1, PTPN11, SRCAP, SON, SOS1, SOX9, TLK2). SHOX deficiency was found in 7/74 (9%), Silver-Russell syndrome in 12/74 (16%) (11p15, UPD7), and miscellaneous chromosomal aberrations in 5/74 (7%) children. CONCLUSIONS: The high diagnostic yield sheds a new light on the genetic landscape of SGA-SS, with a central role for the growth plate with substantial contributions from the GH-IGF-1 and thyroid axes and intracellular regulation and signalling.

Telemedicine maintains good glucose control in children with type 1 diabetes but is not time saving for healthcare professionals: KITES randomized study.

AIMS: To evaluate glucose control non-inferiority and time benefits of telemedicine follow-up in children with type 1 diabetes (CwD). METHODS: In a single-center 9-month-long randomized controlled study (clinicaltrials.gov NCT05484427), 50 children were randomized to either telemedicine group (TG) followed-up distantly by e-mail, or to face-to-face group (FFG) attending standard personal visits. The primary endpoint was non-inferiority of HbA1c at final visit (level of non-inferiority was set at 5 mmol/mol). The secondary endpoints were subcutaneous glucose monitoring parameters and time consumption from both study subjects' and the physicians' point of view. RESULTS: Non-inferiority of HbA1c in the TG was proven (mean HbA1C 45.8 ± 7.3 [TG] vs. 50.0 ± 12.6 [FFG] mmol/mol, 6.3 vs. 6.7 % DCCT, p = 0.17; between groups HbA1C difference 95 % CI -10.2 to 1.9 mmol/mol). Telemedicine saved time for participants (mean visit duration [MVD] 50 [TG] vs. 247 min [FFG], p < 0.001). There were no other differences between groups neither in CGM parameters nor physician's time consumption (MVD 19 [TG] vs. 20 min [FFG], p = 0.58). CONCLUSIONS: Nine-month telemedicine follow-up of the children with well-controlled T1D is not inferior to standard face-to-face visits. Telemedicine visits saved time for the participants but not for their diabetologists.

Glycemic Control by Treatment Modalities: National Registry-Based Population Data in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to assess the differences in key parameters of type 1 diabetes (T1D) control associated with treatment and monitoring modalities including newly introduced hybrid closed-loop (HCL) algorithm in children and adolescents with T1D (CwD) using the data from the population-wide pediatric diabetes registry CENDA. METHODS: CwD younger than 19 years with T1D duration >1 year were included and divided according to the treatment modality and type of CGM used: multiple daily injection (MDI), insulin pump without (CSII) and with HCL function, intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM), real-time CGM (rtCGM), and intermittent or no CGM (noCGM). HbA1c, times in glycemic ranges, and glucose risk index (GRI) were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Data of a total of 3,251 children (mean age 13.4 ± 3.8 years) were analyzed. 2,187 (67.3%) were treated with MDI, 1,064 (32.7%) with insulin pump, 585/1,064 (55%) with HCL. The HCL users achieved the highest median TIR 75.4% (IQR 6.3) and lowest GRI 29.1 (7.8), both p < 0.001 compared to other groups, followed by MDI rtCGM and CSII groups with TIR 68.8% (IQR 9.0) and 69.0% (7.5), GRI 38.8 (12.5) and 40.1 (8.5), respectively (nonsignificant to each other). These three groups did not significantly differ in their HbA1c medians (51.8 [IQR 4.5], 50.7 [4.5], and 52.7 [5.7] mmol/mol, respectively). NoCGM groups had the highest HbA1c and GRI and lowest TIR regardless of the treatment modality. CONCLUSION: This population-based study shows that the HCL technology is superior to other treatment modalities in CGM-derived parameters and should be considered as a treatment of choice in all CwD fulfilling the indication criteria.

Genetic testing of children with familial tall stature: is it worth doing?

CONTEXT: Familial tall stature (FTS) is considered to be a benign variant of growth with a presumed polygenic etiology. However, monogenic disorders with possible associated pathological features could also be hidden under the FTS phenotype. OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the genetic etiology in families with FTS and to describe their phenotype in detail. DESIGN, SETTINGS AND PATIENTS: Children with FTS (height in both the child and his/her taller parent >2 SD) referred to the Endocrinology center of Motol University Hospital were enrolled to the study. Their DNA was examined cytogenetically and via next-generation sequencing panel of 786 genes associated with growth. The genetic results were evaluated by the American College of Molecular Genetics and Genomics guidelines. All of the participants underwent standard endocrinological examination followed by specialized anthropometric evaluation. RESULTS: In total, 34 children (19 girls) with FTS were enrolled in the study. Their median height and their taller parent's height were 3.1 SD and 2.5 SD, respectively. The genetic cause of FTS was elucidated in 11/34 (32.4%) children (47, XXX and 47, XYY karyotypes, SHOX duplication, and causative variants in NSD1 [in 2], SUZ12 [in 2], FGFR3, CHD8, GPC3, and PPP2R5D genes). Ten children had absent syndromic sings and 24 had dysmorphic features. CONCLUSION: Monogenic (and cytogenetic) etiology of FTS can be found among children with FTS. Genetic examination should be considered in all children with FTS regardless of the presence of dysmorphic features.

First Use of Open-Source Automated Insulin Delivery AndroidAPS in Full Closed-Loop Scenario: Pancreas4ALL Randomized Pilot Study.

Objective: We evaluated the safety and feasibility of open-source automated insulin delivery AndroidAPS in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and compared its efficacy in three different scenarios: hybrid closed loop (HCL) with meal boluses, meal announcement only (MA), and full closed loop (FCL). Research Design and Methods: In an open-label, prospective, randomized crossover trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT04835350), 16 adolescents with T1D (10 females) with mean age of 17 years (range 15-20), glycated hemoglobin 56 mmol/mol (range 43-75), and mean duration of diabetes 5.9 years (9-15) underwent three distinct 3-day periods of camp living, comparing the above-mentioned scenarios of AndroidAPS. We used modified and locked version of AndroidAPS 3.1.03, which was called Pancreas4ALL for study purposes. The order of MA and FCL periods was assigned randomly. The primary endpoints were feasibility and safety of the system represented by percentage of time of glucose control by the system and time in hypoglycemia below 3 mmol/L. Results: The glycemia was controlled by the system 95% time of the study and the proportion of time below 3 mmol/L did not exceed 1% over the whole study period (0.72%). The HCL scenario reached significantly higher percentage of time below 3 mmol/L (HCL 1.05% vs. MA 0.0% vs. FCL 0.0%; P = 0.05) compared to other scenarios. No difference was observed among the scenarios in the percentage of time between 3.9 and 10 mmol/L (HCL 83.3% vs. MA 79.85% vs. FCL 81.03%, P = 0.58) corresponding to mean glycemia (HCL 6.65 mmol/L vs. MA 7.34 mmol/L vs. FCL 7.05 mmol/L, P = 0.28). No difference was observed in the mean daily dose of insulin or in the daily carbohydrate intake. No serious adverse event occurred during the study period. Conclusions: Our pilot study showed that FCL might be a realistic mode of treatment for people with T1D.

Analysis of children with familial short stature: who should be indicated for genetic testing?

Familial short stature (FSS) describes vertically transmitted growth disorders. Traditionally, polygenic inheritance is presumed, but monogenic inheritance seems to occur more frequently than expected. Clinical predictors of monogenic FSS have not been elucidated. The aim of the study was to identify the monogenic etiology and its clinical predictors in FSS children. Of 747 patients treated with growth hormone (GH) in our center, 95 with FSS met the inclusion criteria (pretreatment height ≤-2 SD in child and his/her shorter parent); secondary short stature and Turner/Prader-Willi syndrome were excluded criteria. Genetic etiology was known in 11/95 children before the study, remaining 84 were examined by next-generation sequencing. The results were evaluated by American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Nonparametric tests evaluated differences between monogenic and non-monogenic FSS, an ROC curve estimated quantitative cutoffs for the predictors. Monogenic FSS was confirmed in 36/95 (38%) children. Of these, 29 (81%) carried a causative genetic variant affecting the growth plate, 4 (11%) a variant affecting GH-insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) axis and 3 (8%) a variant in miscellaneous genes. Lower shorter parent's height (P = 0.015) and less delayed bone age (BA) before GH treatment (P = 0.026) predicted monogenic FSS. In children with BA delayed less than 0.4 years and with shorter parent's heights ≤-2.4 SD, monogenic FSS was revealed in 13/16 (81%) cases. To conclude, in FSS children treated with GH, a monogenic etiology is frequent, and gene variants affecting the growth plate are the most common. Shorter parent's height and BA are clinical predictors of monogenic FSS.

Are all HCL systems the same? long term outcomes of three HCL systems in children with type 1 diabetes: real-life registry-based study.

Objective: To compare parameters of glycemic control among three types of hybrid closed loop (HCL) systems in children with T1D (CwD) using population-wide data from the national pediatric diabetes registry CENDA. Methods: CwD aged <19 years treated with Medtronic MiniMed 780G (780G), Tandem t:slim X2 (Control-IQ) or do-it-yourself AndroidAPS (AAPS) systems for >12 months and monitored by CGM >70% of the time were included. HbA1c, times in glycemic ranges, and Glycemia Risk Index (GRI) were used for cross-sectional comparison between the HCL systems. Results: Data from 512 CwD were analyzed. 780G, Control-IQ and AAPS were used by 217 (42.4%), 211 (41.2%), and 84 (16.4%) CwD, respectively. The lowest HbA1c value was observed in the AAPS group (44 mmol/mol; IQR 8.0, p<0.0001 vs any other group), followed by Control-IQ and 780G groups (48 (IQR 11) and 52 (IQR 10) mmol/mol, respectively). All of the systems met the recommended criteria for time in range (78% in AAPS, 76% in 780G, and 75% in Control-IQ users). CwD using AAPS spent significantly more time in hypoglycemia (5% vs 2% in 780G and 3% in Control-IQ) and scored the highest GRI (32, IQR 17). The lowest GRI (27, IQR 15) was seen in 780G users. Conclusion: Although all HCL systems proved effective in maintaining recommended long-term glycemic control, we observed differences that illustrate strengths and weaknesses of particular systems. Our findings could help in individualizing the choice of HCL systems.

Eosinophils from patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus express high level of myeloid alpha-defensins and myeloperoxidase.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease caused by T-cell mediated destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Recently, small cationic α-defensin molecules have been implicated in the pathogenesis of certain inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the α-defensin expression in patients with T1D and elucidate the cellular source of their production. Our results show that 30% of patients exhibit increased levels of α-defensin mRNAs in their capillary blood. Quantitative RT-PCR performed on FACS-sorted granulocytes identified CD15(dull)/CD14(weak) population as the cellular source of α-defensins. Surprisingly, this granulocyte subpopulation displayed augmentation of α-defensin expression in all T1D patients tested. The determination of cell surface markers, expression of cell-specific genes and confocal microscopy identified CD15(dull)/CD14(weak) cells as eosinophils. The presence of transcriptionally active eosinophils in diabetic patients suggests that eosinophils could be a part of an intricate innate immune cellular network involved in the development of diabetes.

Isolated growth hormone deficiency in children with vertically transmitted short stature: What do the genes tell us?

Introduction: The growth hormone deficiency (GHD) diagnosis is controversial especially due to low specificity of growth hormone (GH) stimulation tests. It is therefore believed that children diagnosed with GHD form a heterogeneous group with growth disorder frequently independent on GH function. No study evaluating the complex etiology of growth failure in children with diagnosed GHD has been performed thus far. Aims: To discover genetic etiology of short stature in children with diagnosed GHD from families with short stature. Methods: Fifty-two children diagnosed with primary GHD and vertically transmitted short stature (height SDS in the child and his/her shorter parent <-2 SD) were included to our study. The GHD diagnosis was based on growth data suggestive of GHD, absence of substantial disproportionality (sitting height to total height ratio <-2 SD or >+2 SD), IGF-1 levels <0 for age and sex specific SD and peak GH concentration <10 ug/L in two stimulation tests. All children were examined using next-generation sequencing methods, and the genetic variants were subsequently evaluated by American College of Medical Genetics standards and guidelines. Results: The age of children at enrollment into the study was 11 years (median, IQR 9-14 years), their height prior to GH treatment was -3.0 SD (-3.6 to -2.8 SD), IGF-1 concentration -1.4 SD (-2.0 to -1.1 SD), and maximal stimulated GH 6.3 ug/L (4.8-7.6 ug/L). No child had multiple pituitary hormone deficiency or a midbrain region pathology. Causative variant in a gene that affects growth was discovered in 15/52 (29%) children. Of them, only 2 (13%) had a genetic variant affecting GH secretion or function (GHSR and OTX2). Interestingly, in 10 (67%) children we discovered a primary growth plate disorder (ACAN, COL1A2, COL11A1, COL2A1, EXT2, FGFR3, NF1, NPR2, PTPN11 [2x]), in one (7%) a genetic variant impairing IGF-1 action (IGFALS) and in two (12%) a variant in miscellaneous genes (SALL4, MBTPS2). Conclusions: In children with vertically transmitted short stature, genetic results frequently did not correspond with the clinical diagnosis of GH deficiency. These results underline the doubtful reliability of methods standardly used to diagnose GH deficiency.

HNF1A mutation presenting with fetal macrosomia and hypoglycemia in childhood prior to onset of overt diabetes.

BACKGROUND: HNF1A-MODY (MODY3) is a common subtype of autosomal dominant diabetes. Unlike HNF4-MODY where fetal macrosomia and early postnatal hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia have been reported, history of transient insulin overproduction has not yet been recognized in individuals with HNF1A-MODY. CASE REPORT: Here, we report on a 40-year-old male patient with HNF1A mutation p.Arg272His (c.815G>A) having a history of fetal macrosomia (4750 g, 59 cm), and, at least, one attack of symptomatic hypoglycemia in childhood. Diabetes was subsequently diagnosed at 19 years of age. The proband's daughter who developed diabetes at 16 years carries the same mutation, but her birth weight and length were in the upper normal range, and she never experienced hypoglycemic symptoms. CONCLUSION: The observation of fetal macrosomia and hypoglycemia in childhood is indicative of a biphasic impact of the HNF1A mutation on p-cell function over the lifespan, leading from inappropriate insulin oversecretion to final clinical diabetes.