IGF-I and IGF Binding Protein-3 Generation Tests and Response to Growth Hormone in Children with Silver-Russell Syndrome.

Objectives. To evaluate, in children with Silver-Russell Syndrome, the response to the IGF-I and IGFBP-3 generation test and compare results to the growth response after 6 months of rhGH. Methods. Eight children (6 males), with a mean age of 5.71 ± 2.48 years and height SDS of -3.88 ± 1.28 received rhGH for 6 months. IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were analyzed before and after 4 doses of rhGH. Results. The mean growth velocity (GV) before treatment was 5.28 ± 1.9 cm/year. GV increased after rhGH in five children to a mean GV of 10.3 ± 3.64 cm/year. Six children had normal basal IGF-I levels and two low levels. After 4 doses of rhGH, the IGF-I levels were normal in seven. There was no correlation between the growth response and the IGF-I generation test. Conclusions. Children with SRS have normal IGF-I generation test. There is no correlation between the generation test and the growth velocity after 6 months of rhGH.

[Growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism and ring chromosome 18: case report]. / Deficiência de hormônio do crescimento, hipotireoidismo e cromossomo 18 em anel: relato de caso.

INTRODUCTION: The association of 18-ring chromosome syndrome and growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is extremely rare, with only two reports in the literature. CASE REPORT: A one year-old, non-white female was referred due to hypoglycemic seizures. She had developmental delay and poor nutrition. Her physical examination was significant for a weight Z score of -6.95, height Z score of -5,05, cleft palate, epicanthic folds and generalized hypotony. Karyotype was 46XX r(18) (p11,2- q.23)--18 ring chromosome syndrome, the MRI showed an ectopic neurohypophysis. The diagnosis GHD was made due to low GH levels during spontaneous severe hypoglycemia at the age of 16 months. She was started on hGH 0.1 U/kg/day. Three months later, TSH deficiency was diagnosed and L-thyroxin therapy was started. During hGH replacement the hypoglycemic events stopped but after 3 years of hGH therapy, she did not improve growth velocity. DISCUSSION: We were unable to find any report of GHD and hypothyroidism associated with the 18-ring chromosome syndrome. Children with 18-ring chromosome should undergo investigation of GHD. In our child with 18-ring syndrome the hGH therapy did not improve growth velocity.

Deficiência de hormônio do crescimento, hipotireoidismo e cromossomo 18 em anel: relato de caso / Growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism and ring chromosome 18: case report / Growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism and ring chromosome 18: case report

INTRODUÇÃO: A associação de síndrome do cromossomo 18 em anel com deficiência de hormônio de crescimento (DGH) é muito rara, com apenas dois relatos na literatura. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente feminina, negra, 1 ano de idade, encaminhada para investigação de crises de hipoglicemia desde os 6 meses, acompanhadas de crise convulsiva. Apresentava atraso do desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor e erro alimentar. Ao exame físico, criança desnutrida (escores z peso/idade de -6,95 e estatura/idade de -5,05), fenda palatina, prega epicântica e hipotonia generalizada. O diagnóstico de DGH foi feito em vigência de hipoglicemia e iniciado o tratamento com somatropina 0,1 U/kg aos 16 meses de idade. A RM do crânio evidenciou neuro-hipófise ectópica. O hipotireoidismo foi diagnosticado com 1 ano e 7 meses, sendo adicionada levotiroxina ao tratamento. O cariótipo 46XX r(18) (p11,2 ­ q.23), estabeleceu o diagnóstico de síndrome do cromossomo 18 em anel. Está em uso de GH há 3 anos, os episódios de hipoglicemia com crise convulsiva desapareceram mas não houve melhora da velocidade de crescimento. DISCUSSÃO: Não foram encontrados na literatura relatos da associação de DGH, hipotireoidismo e cromossomo 18 em anel. Crianças com cromossomo 18 em anel merecem investigação para DGH. A reposição com GH não melhorou o crescimento da nossa paciente.

INTRODUCTION: The association of 18-ring chromosome syndrome and growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is extremely rare, with only two reports in the literature. CASE REPORT: A one year-old, non-white female was referred due to hypoglycemic seizures. She had developmental delay and poor nutrition. Her physical examination was significant for a weight Z score of -6.95, height Z score of -5,05, cleft palate, epicanthic folds and generalized hypotony. Karyotype was 46XX r(18) (p11,2 ­ q.23) - 18 ring chromosome syndrome, the MRI showed an ectopic neurohypophysis. The diagnosis GHD was made due to low GH levels during spontaneous severe hypoglycemia at the age of 16 months. She was started on hGH 0.1 U/kg/day. Three months later, TSH deficiency was diagnosed and L-thyroxin therapy was started. During hGH replacement the hypoglycemic events stopped but after 3 years of hGH therapy, she did not improve growth velocity. DISCUSSION: We were unable to find any report of GHD and hypothyroidism associated with the 18-ring chromosome syndrome. Children with 18-ring chromosome should undergo investigation of GHD. In our child with 18-ring syndrome the hGH therapy did not improve growth velocity.

Insulin resistance in adolescents with Down syndrome: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is higher in individuals with Down syndrome (DS) than in the general population; it may be due to the high prevalence of obesity presented by many of them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the insulin resistance (IR) using the HOMA (Homeostasis Model Assessment) method, in DS adolescents, describing it according to the sex, body mass index (BMI) and pubertal development. METHODS: 15 adolescents with DS (8 males and 7 females) were studied, aged 10 to 18 years, without history of disease or use of medication that could change the suggested laboratory evaluation. On physical examination, the pubertal signs, acanthosis nigricans (AN), weight and height were evaluated. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin were analysed by the colorimetric method and RIA-kit LINCO, respectively. IR was calculated using the HOMA method. The patients were grouped into obese, overweight and normal, according to their BMI percentiles. The EPIINFO 2004 software was used to calculate the BMI, its percentile and Z score. RESULTS: Five patients were adults (Tanner V or presence of menarche), 9 pubertal (Tanner II-IV) and 1 prepubertal (Tanner I). No one had AN. Two were obese, 4 overweight and 9 normal. Considering the total number of patients, HOMA was 1.7 +/- 1.0, insulin 9.3 +/- 4.8 microU/ml and glucose 74.4 +/- 14.8 mg/dl. The HOMA values were 2.0 +/- 1.0 in females and 1.5 +/- 1.0 in males. Considering the nutritional classification, the values of HOMA and insulin were: HOMA: 3.3 +/- 0.6, 2.0 +/- 1.1 and 1.3 +/- 0.6, and insulin: 18.15 +/- 1.6 microU/ml, 10.3 +/- 3.5 microU/ml and 6.8 +/- 2.8 microU/ml, in the obese, overweight and normal groups respectively. Considering puberty, the values of HOMA and insulin were: HOMA: 2.5 +/- 1.3, 1.4 +/- 0.6 and 0.8 +/- 0.0, and insulin: 13.0 +/- 5.8 microU/ml, 7.8 +/- 2.9 microU/ml and 4.0 +/- 0.0 microU/ml, in the adult, pubertal and prepubertal groups respectively. CONCLUSION: The obese and overweight, female and adult patients showed the highest values of HOMA and insulin.