The effect of oral probiotics on glycated haemoglobin levels in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus - a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Proper control of blood glucose in children with type 1 diabetes has a direct effect on their metabolism and quality of life by reducing the risk of complications. The use of probiotics may have a beneficial effect on glucose levels. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral consumption of probiotics on glycosylated haemoglobin in children with type 1 diabetes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, 52 children with type 1 diabetes were studied. We created 2 groups of 26 individuals each. The probiotic group received a daily probiotic capsule for 90 days, in addition to routine insulin therapy. The control group received only insulin therapy. Blood samples were taken to measure HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, and lipid profiles at the beginning and end of the trial. RESULTS: The study showed that HbA1c was high in both groups, but this increase was lower in the probiotic group than in the control group. This difference was not statistically significant. The mean level of fasting plasma glucose in the probiotic group was significantly reduced compared to the control group (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of our study, consumption of oral probiotics has no significant effect on HbA1c levels in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Ten-year follow-up report and neurologic sequelae in a case of neonatal severe primary hyperparathyroidism.

We present a 10-year follow-up and describe our experience in managing a case of neonatal severe primary hyperparathyroidism (NSHPT) for the first time in Iran. Microcephaly, mental retardation, and epilepsy may be long time sequels of NSHPT. The brain MRI findings are compatible with an old hypoxic-ischemic event.

Birth prevalence of genital anomalies among males conceived by intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Several studies have been conducted worldwide to evaluate the prevalence and relative risks of congenital anomalies associated with assisted reproductive technology cycles; however, there is limited data in Iran. Objective: To investigate male genital anomalies among live births from assisted reproductive technology. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on children born after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) at Royan Institute, Tehran, Iran from April 2013-December 2015. The prevalence of male genitalia disorders that included hypospadias, epispadias, cryptorchidism, micropenis, and vanishing testis were reported. The relationship between the cause of infertility and type of embryo transfer (fresh or frozen), gestational age at birth (term or preterm), and birth weight with these male genitalia anomalies were evaluated. Results: In total, 4409 pregnant women were followed after their ICSI cycles to evaluate genitalia anomalies in their children. Out of 5608 live births, 2614 (46.61%) newborns were male, of which 14 cases (0.54%) had genital anomalies. The prevalence of various anomalies were cryptorchidism (0.34%), hypospadias (0.038%), micropenis (0.038%), vanishing testis (0.038%), and epispadias (0.077%). No relationship was found between the cause of infertility, type of embryo transfer (fresh or frozen), gestational age at birth (term or preterm), and male genital malformation (p = 0.33, p = 0.66, and p = 0.62, respectively). Conclusion: The prevalence of each male genital anomaly after the ICSI cycle was rare and less than 0.5%; however, no significant infertility-related factor was observed with these anomalies.

The Influence of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Treatment on Thyroid Function Tests in Children with Central Idiopathic Precocious Puberty.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, the treatment of idiopathic central precocious puberty using gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH) agonist has been considered as a common treatment. To date, there is not much information about the effect of GnRH agonist treatment on pediatric thyroid function. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of GnRH treatment on thyroid function tests in children with central idiopathic precocious puberty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study investigated 50 children with idiopathic precocious puberty treated with GnRH agonist, who were referred to Bahrami pediatric hospital, Tehran, Iran. Patients` height, weight, and symptoms of hypothyroidism were evaluated every two months. Thyroid function tests, T4 and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), were reviewed every 6 months. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics, Version 18. RESULTS: The majority of the children who participate in this study were female. 72% of children with central idiopathic precocious puberty had a significant increase in TSH level (P=0.002). In this group of patients, 66% and 6% had subclinical and clinical increases in thyroid function tests, respectively. The estimated time to thyroid dysfunction was 12.37 months. It is found that only 2% of patients showed thyroid dysfunction during the first 6 months of the treatment. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that more than 70% of children who were undergoing GnRH agonist treatment for central precocious puberty had impaired thyroid function (especially subclinical hypothyroidism). Therefore, evaluating thyroid function in children with precocious puberty who are under treating with GnRH agonist, would be reasonable; especially one year after initiating the treatment.

Association between Michelin tire baby syndrome and congenital panhyopituitarism in an Iranian girl.

Michelin tire baby syndrome is a rare syndrome, diagnosed clinically by multiple circumferential skin folds. Multiple noncutaneous anomalies have been described with this syndrome. We report a case of Michelin tire baby syndrome with congenital panhypopituitarism. To date, there is no report of association between these two disorders.

Congenital rhabdomyosarcoma, central precocious puberty, hemihypertrophy and hypophosphatemic rickets associated with epidermal nevus syndrome.

We describe a newborn girl with right-sided extended epidermal nevus, congenital rhabdomyosarcoma of the inguinal area at birth who had developed central precocious puberty, hemihypertrophy and vitamin D3-responsive hypophosphatemic rickets at the age of 14 months. Our patient demonstrates a much broader and polymorphic spectrum of organ systems involvement in epidermal nevus syndrome at a very early age of her life.

The role of insulin like growth factor (IGF)-1 and IGF-binding protein-3 in diagnosis of Growth Hormone Deficiency in short stature children.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in diagnosis of short stature children and adolescents in whom Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) was found. METHODS: In this cross sectional study the referred short stature children and adolescents to Namazi Hospital in Shiraz- Iran, in 2003-2005 were studied. The inclusion criteria were proved short stature based on the physical examination, weight, height, standard deviation score (SDS) of height < -2, with considering stage of puberty and predicted height in children without any genetic or chronic disorders. The exclusion criteria were any positive physical or laboratory data suggesting hypothyroidism, rickets or liver disorders. For all patients a provocative growth hormone test was performed with propranolol and L-dopa and serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were measured. GHD defined as peak(cutoff) serum GH level under 10 ìg/L and low IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 considered as cutoff serum level under -2 standard deviation. RESULTS: Eighty one short stature patients (39 boys and 42 girls) with mean age of 10.6 +/- 3.5 years completed the study. Seventeen patients with GHD were found and in 18 patients IGF-1 level were low. Only in 6 patients both GH and IGF-1 were low and 2 of them had low IGFBP-3. There were no correlations between the levels of GH,IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in children with short stature due to GHD. The sensitivity and specifity of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in assessment of GHD were 35% and 81% for IGF-1 and 12% and 94% for IGFBP-3, respectively. CONCLUSION: No correlations were found between GH level and serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in short patients and the sensitivity of those tests in assessment of GHD were poor.