Central Adrenal Insufficiency Is Not a Common Feature in CHARGE Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study in 2 Cohorts.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether central adrenal insufficiency (CAI) is present in CHARGE (Coloboma of the eye, Heart defects, Atresia of the choanae, Retardation of growth and/or development, Genital hypoplasia, and Ear abnormalities, including deafness) syndrome, a complex malformation disorder that includes central endocrine dysfunction. STUDY DESIGN: Two cross-sectional studies were performed in Dutch (September 2013-February 2015) and Australian (January 2012-January 2014) CHARGE syndrome clinics. Twenty-seven Dutch and 19 Australian patients (aged 16 months-18 years) with genetically confirmed CHARGE syndrome were included. The low-dose adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) test was used to assess CAI in the Dutch cohort. A peak cortisol response less than 18.1 µg/dL (500 nmol/L) was suspected for CAI, and a glucagon stimulation test was performed for confirmation. Australian patients were screened by single measurements of ACTH and cortisol levels. If adrenal dysfunction was suspected, a standard-dose ACTH test was performed. RESULTS: The low-dose ACTH test was performed in 23 patients (median age 8.4 [1.9-16.9] years). Seven patients showed an insufficient maximum cortisol level (10.3-17.6 µg/dL, 285-485 nmol/L), but CAI was confirmed by glucagon stimulation test in only 1 patient (maximum cortisol level 15.0 µg/dL, 415 nmol/L). In the Australian cohort, 15 patients (median age 9.1 [1.3-17.8] years) were screened, and none had CAI. CONCLUSIONS: CAI was not common in our cohorts, and routine testing of adrenal function in children with CHARGE syndrome is not indicated.

Treatment of a case of pediatric hypereosinophilic syndrome with anti-interleukin-5.

We report the use of anti-interleukin-5 (mepolizumab) during an 18-month period in a pediatric hypereosinophilic syndrome. Infusions every 3 months allowed better control of hypereosinophilic syndrome flares and maintained blood eosinopenia with significantly less steroid use compared with all other therapies (prednisolone alone, interferon alpha, or imatinib mesylate).