Panoramic snapshot of serum soluble mediator interplay in pregnant women with convalescent COVID-19: an exploratory study.

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy can induce changes in the maternal immune response, with effects on pregnancy outcome and offspring. This is a cross-sectional observational study designed to characterize the immunological status of pregnant women with convalescent COVID-19 at distinct pregnancy trimesters. The study focused on providing a clear snapshot of the interplay among serum soluble mediators. Methods: A sample of 141 pregnant women from all prenatal periods (1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters) comprised patients with convalescent SARS-CoV-2 infection at 3-20 weeks after symptoms onset (COVID, n=89) and a control group of pre-pandemic non-infected pregnant women (HC, n=52). Chemokine, pro-inflammatory/regulatory cytokine and growth factor levels were quantified by a high-throughput microbeads array. Results: In the HC group, most serum soluble mediators progressively decreased towards the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy, while higher chemokine, cytokine and growth factor levels were observed in the COVID patient group. Serum soluble mediator signatures and heatmap analysis pointed out that the major increase observed in the COVID group related to pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-12, IFN-γ and IL-17). A larger set of biomarkers displayed an increased COVID/HC ratio towards the 2nd (3x increase) and the 3rd (3x to 15x increase) trimesters. Integrative network analysis demonstrated that HC pregnancy evolves with decreasing connectivity between pairs of serum soluble mediators towards the 3rd trimester. Although the COVID group exhibited a similar profile, the number of connections was remarkably lower throughout the pregnancy. Meanwhile, IL-1Ra, IL-10 and GM-CSF presented a preserved number of correlations (≥5 strong correlations in HC and COVID), IL-17, FGF-basic and VEGF lost connectivity throughout the pregnancy. IL-6 and CXCL8 were included in a set of acquired attributes, named COVID-selective (≥5 strong correlations in COVID and <5 in HC) observed at the 3rd pregnancy trimester. Discussion and conclusion: From an overall perspective, a pronounced increase in serum levels of soluble mediators with decreased network interplay between them demonstrated an imbalanced immune response in convalescent COVID-19 infection during pregnancy that may contribute to the management of, or indeed recovery from, late complications in the post-symptomatic phase of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women.

Official Position of the Brazilian Association of Bone Assessment and Metabolism (ABRASSO) on the evaluation of body composition by densitometry-part II (clinical aspects): interpretation, reporting, and special situations.

OBJECTIVE: To present an updated and evidence-based guideline for the use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to assess body composition in clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This Official Position was developed by the Scientific Committee of the Brazilian Association of Bone Assessment and Metabolism (Associação Brasileira de Avaliação Óssea e Osteometabolismo, ABRASSO) and experts in the field who were invited to contribute to the preparation of this document. The authors searched current databases for relevant publications in the area of body composition assessment. In this second part of the Official Position, the authors discuss the interpretation and reporting of body composition parameters assessed by DXA and the use of DXA for body composition evaluation in special situations, including evaluation of children, persons with HIV, and animals. CONCLUSION: This document offers recommendations for the use of DXA in body composition evaluation, including indications, interpretation, and applications, to serve as a guiding tool in clinical practice and research for health care professionals in Brazil.

Official Position of the Brazilian Association of Bone Assessment and Metabolism (ABRASSO) on the evaluation of body composition by densitometry—part II (clinical aspects): interpretation, reporting, and special situations

Abstract Objective: To present an updated and evidence-based guideline for the use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to assess body composition in clinical practice. Materials and methods: This Official Position was developed by the Scientific Committee of the Brazilian Association of Bone Assessment and Metabolism ( Associação Brasileira de Avaliação Óssea e Osteometabolismo , ABRASSO) and experts in the field who were invited to contribute to the preparation of this document. The authors searched current databases for relevant publications in the area of body composition assessment. In this second part of the Official Position, the authors discuss the interpretation and reporting of body composition parameters assessed by DXA and the use of DXA for body composition evaluation in special situations, including evaluation of children, persons with HIV, and animals. Conclusion: This document offers recommendations for the use of DXA in body composition evaluation, including indications, interpretation, and applications, to serve as a guiding tool in clinical practice and research for health care professionals in Brazil.

Pregnancy Outcomes and Child Development Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PROUDEST Trial): Protocol for a Multicenter, Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of evidence suggests that SARS-COV-2 infection during pregnancy may affect maternal-fetal outcomes and possibly result in implications for the long-term development of SARS-CoV-2-exposed children. OBJECTIVE: The PROUDEST (Pregnancy Outcomes and Child Development Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Study) is a multicenter, prospective cohort study designed to elucidate the repercussions of COVID-19 for the global health of mothers and their children. METHODS: The PROUDEST trial comprises 2 prospective, sequential substudies. The PREGNANT substudy will clinically assess the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium from a mechanistic standpoint to elucidate the pregnancy-related inflammatory and immunological phenomena underlying COVID-19. Pregnant women aged 18-40 years who have been exposed (proven with laboratory tests) to SARS-CoV-2 (group A; n=300) will be compared to control subjects with no laboratory evidence of in-pregnancy exposure to the virus (group B; n=300). Subjects exposed to other infections during pregnancy will be excluded. The BORN substudy is a long-term follow-up study that will assess the offspring of women who enrolled in the prior substudy. It will describe the effects of SARS-CoV-2 exposure during pregnancy on children's growth, neurodevelopment, and metabolism from birth up to 5 years of age. It includes two comparison groups; group A (exposed; n=300) comprises children born from SARS-CoV-2-exposed pregnancies, and group B (controls; n=300) comprises children born from nonexposed mothers. RESULTS: Recruitment began in July 2020, and as of January 2021, 260 pregnant women who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy and 160 newborns have been included in the study. Data analysis is scheduled to start after all data are collected. CONCLUSIONS: Upon completion of the study, we expect to have comprehensive data that will provide a better understanding of the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection and related inflammatory and immunological processes on pregnancy, puerperium, and infancy. Our findings will inform clinical decisions regarding the care of SARS-CoV-2-exposed mothers and children and support the development of evidence-based public health policies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Register of Clinical Trials RBR65QXS2; https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-65qxs2. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/26477.

Cetoacidose diabética e pancreatite secundárias à peg-asparaginase / Diabetic ketoacidosis and pancreatitis secondary to peg-asparaginase

RESUMO: Objetivos: Apresentar um caso raro de cetoacidose diabética (CAD) e pancreatite secundários ao uso de PEG-asparaginase em paciente pediátrico em tratamento para leucemia linfoblástica aguda (LLA) e alertar quanto aos sinais que remetem a esses diagnósticos. Descrição do caso: Adolescente do sexo feminino, 10 anos e 11 meses, em tratamento para LLA e uso prévio de PEG-asparaginase há seis dias da internação, admitida com choque hipotensivo grave e encaminhada à Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. Inicialmente o quadro foi interpretado como choque séptico. Em seguida a anamnese detalhada e os exames laboratoriais direcionaram para os diagnósticos de CAD e pancreatite, iniciando-se as intervenções específicas. Recebe alta hospitalar após 30 dias, sem necessidade de insulinoterapia, mas com reposição de enzimas pancreáticas. Comentários: Geralmente, às crianças com LLA gravemente enfermos e leucopênicos, atribui-se apenas o diagnóstico de sepse, que é um diagnóstico prioritário. Entretanto, no grupo em uso de PEG-asparaginase, o pediatra emergencista deve estar alerta ao raciocínio diferencial envolvendo CAD e pancreatite, o que pode ser bem difícil inicialmente. O alerta dos diagnósticos diferenciais do choque séptico, mesmo que raros, na assistência a pacientes oncológicos pediátricos, além da correta e pronta identificação do quadro e seu manejo apropriado, correlacionam-se diretamente ao sucesso terapêutico e, em algumas situações, à sobrevivência do paciente. (AU)

ABSTRACT: Objectives: We present a rare case of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and pancreatitis secondary to the use of PEG-asparaginase in a pediatric patient being treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and draw attention to the signs that refer to these diagnoses. Case description: A female adolescent, aged 10 years and 11 months, undergoing treatment for ALL, used PEG-asparaginase for 6 days prior to admission. She was hospitalized due to severe hypotensive shock and was then referred to the intensive care unit. Initially, the clinical condition was interpreted as septic shock. However, detailed anamnesis and results of laboratory tests led to the diagnoses of DKA and pancreatitis; hence, appropriate interventions were initiated. She was discharged after 30 days without the need for insulin therapy but received pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. Comments: Generally, diagnosing severely ill and leukopenic children with ALL is only attributed to sepsis, which is a priority diagnosis. However, in the group treated with PEG-asparaginase, the pediatric emergency specialist should consider differential reasoning in patients with DKA and pancreatitis, which can be quite difficult to assess initially. Alertness towards the differential diagnoses of septic shock, although rare, in the care of pediatric oncology patients, in addition to the correct and prompt identification of the condition and provision of appropriate management, directly correlates with treatment success and, in some situations, the improvement in patient's survival. (AU)

NPHS1 gene mutations confirm congenital nephrotic syndrome in four Brazilian cases: A novel mutation is described.

AIM: Autosomal recessive mutations in NPHS1 gene are a common cause of congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS). The disorder is characterized by massive proteinuria that manifests in utero or in the neonatal period during the first 3 months of life. NPHS1 encodes nephrin, a member of the immunoglobulin family of cell adhesion molecules and the main protein expressed at the renal slit diaphragm. Currently, there are approximately 250 mutations described in the NPHS1 gene distributed among all nephrin domains. The main objective of this study was to perform the analysis of the NPHS1 gene in patients with congenital nephrotic syndrome in order to determine the molecular cause of the disease. METHODS: Direct sequencing of NPHS1 gene in four children was performed. RESULTS: Each patient was heterozygous for two pathogenic mutations disclosing the molecular cause of the disease in 100% of the cases. We identified six different mutations, consisting of one in-frame deletion, one frameshift, and four missense substitutions. The p.Val736Met mutation that is described here for the first time was considered pathogenic by different mutation predictive algorithms. Regardless of the type of mutation, three patients had a bad outcome and died CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small size of the cohort, this study contributed to the increasing number of deleterious mutations in the NPHS1 gene by describing a new mutation. Also, since we identified NPHS1 pathogenic mutations as the cause of the disease in all cases analyzed, it might be a frequent cause of CNS in the South Eastern region of Brazil, although the analysis of a larger sample is required to obtain more indicative epidemiological data.

Frasier syndrome: four new cases with unusual presentations / Síndrome de Frasier: quatro novos casos com apresentação atípica

Frasier syndrome (FS) is characterized by gonadal dysgenesis and nephropathy. It is caused by specific mutations in the Wilms' tumor suppressor gene (WT1) located in 11p23. Patients with the 46,XY karyotype present normal female genitalia with streak gonads, and have higher risk of gonadal tumor, mainly, gonadoblastoma. Therefore, elective bilateral gonadectomy is indicated. Nephropathy in FS consists in nephrotic syndrome (NS) with proteinuria that begins early in childhood and progressively increases with age, mainly due to nonspecific focal and segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS). Patients are generally unresponsive to steroid and immunosuppressive therapies, and will develop end-stage renal failure (ESRF) during the second or third decade of life. We report here four cases of FS diagnosis after identification of WT1 mutations. Case 1 was part of a large cohort of patients diagnosed with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, in whom the screening for mutations within WT1 8-9 hotspot fragment identified the IVS9+5G>A mutation. Beside FS, this patient showed unusual characteristics, such as urinary malformation (horseshoe kidney), and bilateral dysgerminoma. Cases 2 and 3, also bearing the IVS9+5G>A mutation, and case 4, with IVS9+1G>A mutation, were studied due to FSGS and/or delayed puberty; additionally, patients 2 and 4 developed bilateral gonadal tumors. Since the great majority of FS patients have normal female external genitalia, sex reversal is not suspected before they present delayed puberty and/or primary amenorrhea. Therefore, molecular screening of WT1 gene is very important to confirm the FS diagnosis. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(8):525-32.

A síndrome de Frasier (SF), caracterizada por disgenesia gonadal e nefropatia, é causada por mutações específicas no gene supressor do tumor de Wilms (WT1) localizado em 11p23. Pacientes com cariótipo 46,XY apresentam genitália feminina normal com gônadas disgenéticas e alto risco de tumor gonadal, principalmente o gonadoblastoma. Por isso, a gonadectomia bilateral eletiva está indicada. A nefropatia na SF consiste de síndrome nefrótica com proteinúria que se inicia na infância e aumenta progressivamente com a idade, principalmente devido à glomeruloesclerose focal e segmentar (GESF). Esses pacientes não respondem ao tratamento com esteroides e imunossupressores e desenvolverão insuficiência renal crônica durante a segunda ou terceira década de vida. Neste trabalho, são relatados quatro casos de SF cujo diagnóstico foi definido após o rastreamento molecular do gene WT1. O caso 1 faz parte de um grande grupo de pacientes que tiveram diagnóstico de síndrome nefrótica corticorresistente e no qual o rastreamento de mutações no fragmento 8-9 do gene WT1 identificou a mutação IVS9+5G>A. Além da SF, essa paciente apresentou características incomuns, tais como malformação urinária (rins em ferradura) e disgerminoma bilateral. Os casos 2 e 3 também apresentaram a mutação IVS9+5G>A, e, no caso 4, foi identificada a mutação IVS9+1G>A, sendo que esses três casos foram encaminhados para estudo molecular em decorrência de GESF e/ou atraso no desenvolvimento puberal. Além disso, as pacientes 2 e 4 desenvolveram tumor gonadal bilateral. Visto que a maioria dos pacientes com SF apresenta genitália externa feminina, não há suspeita de sexo reverso até apresentarem atraso puberal e/ou amenorreia primária. Portanto, o rastreamento molecular do gene WT1 é de fundamental importância para se confirmar o diagnóstico de SF. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2012;56(8):525-32.

Frasier syndrome: four new cases with unusual presentations.

Frasier syndrome (FS) is characterized by gonadal dysgenesis and nephropathy. It is caused by specific mutations in the Wilms' tumor suppressor gene (WT1) located in 11p23. Patients with the 46,XY karyotype present normal female genitalia with streak gonads, and have higher risk of gonadal tumor, mainly, gonadoblastoma. Therefore, elective bilateral gonadectomy is indicated. Nephropathy in FS consists in nephrotic syndrome (NS) with proteinuria that begins early in childhood and progressively increases with age, mainly due to nonspecific focal and segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS). Patients are generally unresponsive to steroid and immunosuppressive therapies, and will develop end-stage renal failure (ESRF) during the second or third decade of life. We report here four cases of FS diagnosis after identification of WT1 mutations. Case 1 was part of a large cohort of patients diagnosed with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, in whom the screening for mutations within WT1 8-9 hotspot fragment identified the IVS9+5G>A mutation. Beside FS, this patient showed unusual characteristics, such as urinary malformation (horseshoe kidney), and bilateral dysgerminoma. Cases 2 and 3, also bearing the IVS9+5G>A mutation, and case 4, with IVS9+1G>A mutation, were studied due to FSGS and/or delayed puberty; additionally, patients 2 and 4 developed bilateral gonadal tumors. Since the great majority of FS patients have normal female external genitalia, sex reversal is not suspected before they present delayed puberty and/or primary amenorrhea. Therefore, molecular screening of WT1 gene is very important to confirm the FS diagnosis.

O sistema endocrinológico vitamina D / The vitamin D endocrine system

O sistema endocrinológico vitamina D é constituído por um grupo de moléculas secosteroides derivadas do 7-deidrocolesterol, incluindo a forma ativa 1,25-diidroxi-vitamina D (1,25(OH)2D), seus precursores e metabólitos, sua proteína transportadora (DBP), seu receptor nuclear (VDR) e as enzimas do complexo do citocromo P450 envolvidas nos processos de ativação e inativação dessas moléculas. Os efeitos biológicos da 1,25(OH)2D são mediados pelo VDR, um fator de transcrição ativado por ligante, presente em quase todas as células humanas, e que pertence à família de receptores nucleares. Além dos clássicos papéis de reguladora do metabolismo do cálcio e da saúde óssea, as evidências sugerem que a 1,25(OH)2D module direta ou indiretamente cerca de 3 por cento do genoma humano, participando do controle de funções essenciais à manutenção da homeostase sistêmica, tais como crescimento, diferenciação e apoptose celular, regulação dos sistemas imunológico, cardiovascular e musculoesquelético, e no metabolismo da insulina. Pela influência crítica que esse sistema exerce em vários processos do equilíbrio metabólico sistêmico, é importante que os ensaios laboratoriais utilizados para sua avaliação apresentem alta acurácia e reprodutibilidade, permitindo que sejam estabelecidos pontos de corte que, além de serem consensualmente aceitos, expressem adequadamente o grau de reserva de vitamina D do organismo e reflitam os respectivos impactos clínico-metabólicos na saúde global do indivíduo.

The vitamin D endocrine system comprises a group of 7-dehydrocholesterol-derived secosteroid molecules, including its active metabolite 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), its precursors and other metabolites, its binding protein (DBP) and nuclear receptor (VDR), as well as cytochrome P450 complex enzymes participating in activation and inactivation pathways of those molecules. The biologic effects of 1,25(OH)2D are mediated by VDR, a ligand-activated transcription factor which is a member of the nuclear receptors family, spread in almost all human cells. In addition to its classic role in the regulation of calcium metabolism and bone health, evidence suggests that 1,25(OH)2D directly or indirectly modulates about 3 percent of the human genome, participating in the regulation of chief functions of systemic homeostasis, such as cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis, regulation of immune, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems, and insulin metabolism. Given the critical influence of the vitamin D endocrine system in many processes of systemic metabolic equilibrium, the laboratory assays available for the evaluation of this system have to present high accuracy and reproducibility, enabling the establishment of cutoff points that, beyond being consensually accepted, reliably express the vitamin D status of the organism, and the respective clinical-metabolic impacts on the global health of the individual.

[The vitamin D endocrine system]. / O sistema endocrinológico vitamina D.

The vitamin D endocrine system comprises a group of 7-dehydrocholesterol-derived secosteroid molecules, including its active metabolite 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D (1,25(OH)(2)D), its precursors and other metabolites, its binding protein (DBP) and nuclear receptor (VDR), as well as cytochrome P450 complex enzymes participating in activation and inactivation pathways of those molecules. The biologic effects of 1,25(OH)(2)D are mediated by VDR, a ligand-activated transcription factor which is a member of the nuclear receptors family, spread in almost all human cells. In addition to its classic role in the regulation of calcium metabolism and bone health, evidence suggests that 1,25(OH)(2)D directly or indirectly modulates about 3% of the human genome, participating in the regulation of chief functions of systemic homeostasis, such as cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis, regulation of immune, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems, and insulin metabolism. Given the critical influence of the vitamin D endocrine system in many processes of systemic metabolic equilibrium, the laboratory assays available for the evaluation of this system have to present high accuracy and reproducibility, enabling the establishment of cutoff points that, beyond being consensually accepted, reliably express the vitamin D status of the organism, and the respective clinical-metabolic impacts on the global health of the individual.

Screening for celiac disease among patients with Turner syndrome in Brasília, DF, midwest region of Brazil.

CONTEXT: Several studies have demonstrated a higher prevalence of celiac disease (CD) among females with Turner syndrome when compared to the general population. Nevertheless, there is no record in literature concerning this investigation among Brazilian patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of CD among a group of Brazilian patients with Turner syndrome. METHODS: Fifty-six females with Turner syndrome and on gluten-containing diet were screened for CD utilizing immunoglobulin A antiendomysium (IgA-EMA) and immunoglobulin A anti-tissue transglutaminase (IgA-tTG) antibody assays. Additionally, they were genotyped for CD human leukocyte antigen (CD-HLA) predisposing alleles. Patients showing positivity in serological testing were offered to perform small intestine biopsy for histological confirmation. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis of Turner syndrome was 5.5 ± 4.4 years; mean age at screening for CD was 17.0 ± 9.3 years (from 10 months of age to 52 years). Two girls were positive for IgA-EMA and IgA-tTG, presented predisposing HLA-DQ2 alleles and both had the diagnosis of CD confirmed by jejunal biopsy. CONCLUSION: The 3.6% prevalence of biopsy-proven CD among this group of females with Turner syndrome is 10 times higher than the one among females from the general population of the same geographical area. This result provides additional support to an association between these two disorders and restates that girls and women with Turner syndrome represent a high risk population for developing CD.

Screening for celiac disease among patients with Turner syndrome in Brasília, DF, midwest region of Brazil / Triagem para doença celíaca em pacientes com síndrome de Turner em Brasília, DF, região centro-oeste do Brasil

CONTEXT: Several studies have demonstrated a higher prevalence of celiac disease (CD) among females with Turner syndrome when compared to the general population. Nevertheless, there is no record in literature concerning this investigation among Brazilian patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of CD among a group of Brazilian patients with Turner syndrome. METHODS: Fifty-six females with Turner syndrome and on gluten-containing diet were screened for CD utilizing immunoglobulin A antiendomysium (IgA-EMA) and immunoglobulin A anti-tissue transglutaminase (IgA-tTG) antibody assays. Additionally, they were genotyped for CD human leukocyte antigen (CD-HLA) predisposing alleles. Patients showing positivity in serological testing were offered to perform small intestine biopsy for histological confirmation. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis of Turner syndrome was 5.5 ± 4.4 years; mean age at screening for CD was 17.0 ± 9.3 years (from 10 months of age to 52 years). Two girls were positive for IgA-EMA and IgA-tTG, presented predisposing HLA-DQ2 alleles and both had the diagnosis of CD confirmed by jejunal biopsy. CONCLUSION: The 3.6 percent prevalence of biopsy-proven CD among this group of females with Turner syndrome is 10 times higher than the one among females from the general population of the same geographical area. This result provides additional support to an association between these two disorders and restates that girls and women with Turner syndrome represent a high risk population for developing CD.

CONTEXTO: Alguns estudos têm demonstrado maior prevalência de doença celíaca entre mulheres com síndrome de Turner, quando comparadas com a população geral. Entretanto, não há registro na literatura desta investigação em pacientes brasileiras. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência de doença celíaca entre um grupo de pacientes brasileiras com síndrome de Turner. MÉTODOS: Cinquenta e seis pacientes com síndrome de Turner recebendo dieta contendo glúten foram triadas para doença celíaca, utilizando-se ensaios sorológicos com anticorpos imunoglobulina A antiendomísio (IgA-EMA) e imunoglobulina A antitranslgutaminase tecidual (IgA-tTG). Adicionalmente, elas foram genotipadas para os alelos predisponentes para doença celíaca de antígenos leucocitários humanos (doença celíaca-HLA). Às pacientes que mostraram positividade no teste sorológico, propôs-se a realização de biopsia do intestino delgado para confirmação histológica. RESULTADOS: A idade média ao diagnóstico de síndrome de Turner foi 5,5 ± 4,4 anos; idade média durante a triagem da doença celíaca foi 17,0 ± 9,3 anos (abrangendo dos 10 meses de idade aos 52 anos). Duas meninas foram positivas para IgA-EMA e IgA-tTG, apresentaram os alelos predisponentes para doença celíaca HLA-DQ2 e tiveram o diagnóstico de doença celíaca confirmado por biopsia jejunal. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de 3,6 por cento de doença celíaca confirmada por biopsia neste grupo de pacientes com síndrome de Turner, foi 10 vezes maior que aquela encontrada entre mulheres da população geral da mesma área geográfica. Este resultado contribui para corroborar a associação entre estas duas doenças e reforça que meninas e mulheres com síndrome de Turner constituem uma população de risco aumentado para desenvolver doença celíaca.

[Clinical predictors of growth response in the first year of treatment with a fixed dose of growth hormone in children born small for gestational age]. / Preditores clínicos do ganho estatural do primeiro ano de tratamento com dose fixa de hormônio de crescimento em crianças nascidas pequenas para idade gestacional.

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical predictors associated with catch-up growth in the first year of treatment with somatropin (rhGH) in a group of children born small for gestational age (SGA). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty nine children who have been on rhGH therapy for at least one year (0.33 mg/kg/week) were evaluated. The clinical parameters analyzed were chronological age (CA), bone age (BA), target height and standard deviations scores (SDS) of birth weight and length, height, weight and growth rate. RESULTS: rhGH therapy was associated with a first year height increment of 0.67 SDS (p < 0.01). BA and birth weight SDS were predictive of growth response, with statistical difference in height SDS variation between prepubertal and pubertal subgroups (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: These data show a significant growth response with a fixed rhGH dose, those children who started rhGH in prepubertal ages presented the best outcomes.

Selenoprotein-related disease in a young girl caused by nonsense mutations in the SBP2 gene.

CONTEXT: Selenoproteins are essential for life, and their biosynthesis requires the incorporation of the rare amino acid selenocysteine (Sec) in a process mediated by the Sec insertion sequence-binding protein 2 (SBP2). Although SBP2 is considered a rate-limiting factor mediating Sec incorporation, there has been little evidence so far linking SBP2 dysfunction to widespread selenoprotein-related disease. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to report the discovery of novel truncation mutations in the SBP2 gene (R120X/R770X) in a female adolescent and the clinical consequences of the combined deficiency of selenoproteins. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A 12-yr-old girl who presented with a syndrome of abnormal thyroid hormone metabolism, delayed bone maturation, congenital myopathy, and impaired mental and motor coordination development and her family were studied. The coding region of the SBP2 gene was analyzed by sequencing, and gel shift assays were performed to address the in vitro binding properties of the mutant SBP2 protein. RESULTS: Serum levels of selenium and glutathione peroxidase in the proband were reduced, and selenoprotein P levels were undetectable. DNA sequencing of the SBP2 gene revealed a compound heterozygous mutation (R120X/R770X). The R120X mutation disrupted all functional motifs and the R770X inhibited the binding of SBP2 to Sec insertion sequence elements. Interestingly, selenium supplementation normalized serum selenium and glutathione peroxidase but not selenoprotein P levels and did not restore thyroid hormone metabolism dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: This distinctive phenotype can only be explained by the combined deficiency of functionally important selenoproteins and pinpoints the clinical relevance of selenoproteins and selenium economy in human development.

Preditores clínicos do ganho estatural do primeiro ano de tratamento com dose fixa de hormônio de crescimento em crianças nascidas pequenas para idade gestacional / Clinical predictors of growth response in the first year of treatment with a fixed dose of growth hormone in children born small for gestational age

OBJETIVO: Identificar preditores clínicos associados à recuperação do crescimento no primeiro ano de tratamento com somatropina (rhGH) em um grupo de crianças nascidas pequenas para a idade gestacional (PIG). SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas 39 crianças que estavam em terapia com rhGH por pelo menos um ano (0,33 mg/kg/semana). As variáveis analisadas foram idade cronológica (IC), idade óssea (IO), altura-alvo e escores de desvios-padrão (Z-escore) do peso e comprimento ao nascer, altura, peso e velocidade de crescimento pré e pós-rhGH. RESULTADOS: A terapia com rhGH foi associada a incremento significativo de 0,67 Z-escore (p < 0,01) na estatura nesse primeiro ano. IO e Z-escore de peso ao nascimento foram reconhecidos como preditores dessa resposta, com diferença significativa na variação do Z-escore de estatura entre pré-púberes e púberes (p = 0,016). CONCLUSÃO: Esses dados mostram ganho estatural significativo com dose fixa de rhGH, observando-se melhores resultados quando a terapia foi iniciada na fase pré-puberal.

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical predictors associated with catch-up growth in the first year of treatment with somatropin (rhGH) in a group of children born small for gestational age (SGA). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty nine children who have been on rhGH therapy for at least one year (0.33 mg/kg/week) were evaluated. The clinical parameters analyzed were chronological age (CA), bone age (BA), target height and standard deviations scores (SDS) of birth weight and length, height, weight and growth rate. RESULTS: rhGH therapy was associated with a first year height increment of 0.67 SDS (p < 0.01). BA and birth weight SDS were predictive of growth response, with statistical difference in height SDS variation between prepubertal and pubertal subgroups (p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: These data show a significant growth response with a fixed rhGH dose, those children who started rhGH in prepubertal ages presented the best outcomes.

Resposta clínica de crianças e adolescentes com osteogênese imperfeita à terapia com infusão cíclica intravenosa de pamidronato dissódico / Clinical outcomes of cyclical intravenous infusion therapy with disodium pamidronate for children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta

Introdução. A osteogênese imperfeita é doença congênita rara, de origem genética, decorrente de distúrbios na síntese do colágeno tipo 1, caracterizada por graus variados de fragilidade e deformidade óssea. Objetivo. Avaliar o impacto da terapia com pamidronato sobre o número de fraturas, a dor óssea, a motricidade funcional e a prática de atividades físicas em pacientes pediátricos com osteogênese imperfeita. Método. Estudo retrospectivo dos prontuários de sessenta pacientes com osteogênese imperfeita, acompanhados no Hospital Universitário de Brasília. Foram tabelados e analisados os dados referentes ao número de pacientes com fraturas, dores ósseas, prática regular de atividades físicas e à motricidade funcional antes e depois do início da terapia com pamidronato. Resultados. Das 60 crianças avaliadas (30 do sexo feminino) com osteogênese imperfeita, 14 foram do tipo I,33 do tipo III e 13 do tipo IV. A média de idade foi 8,8 ± 4,5 anos e média de idade ao diagnóstico, 3,1 ± 4,1 anos.Desses, 55 ingressaram no protocolo para recebimento do pamidronato. Depois do início da terapia, o número de doentes que tiveram fraturas reduziu-se de 55 para 17; o número de casos com dores ósseas constantes decresceu de 39 para 8; o de pacientes com prática regular de atividade física subiu de 12 para 38 e todos tiveram melhora damotricidade funcional. Todas essas diferenças foram estatisticamente ignificativas. Conclusão. O uso de pamidronato está relacionado à diminuição estatisticamente significativa de fraturas e de dores ósseas, à melhora da motricidade funcional e à regularidade de bons desempenhos físicos em indivíduos com osteogênese imperfeita, com repercussão positiva em sua integração social.

Introduction. Osteogenesis imperfecta is a rare congenital disease, of genetic inheritance, secondary to disturbanceson type 1 collagen synthesis, and characterized by a wide spectrum of bone fragilities and deformities. Objective. To evaluate the impact of pamidronate therapy on the number of fractures, bone pain complaints, functional motor mobility and on the practice of physical activities among pediatric patients with osteogenesis imperfecta. Method. Retrospective study of the records from the sixty patients with osteogenesis imperfecta followed at Hospital Universitário de Brasília. The data relating to the number of patients presenting fractures, bone pain andwith customary physical activities and to their functional mobility before and after pamidronate therapy were set and analyzed. Results. From the 60 children (30 females) with osteogenesis imperfecta, 14 were type I, 33 type III and 13 type IV. Mean age was 8.8 ± 4.5 years and mean age at diagnosis was 3.1 ± 4.1 years. Fifty-five patients were admitted to the pamidronate protocol. After the therapy has started, the number of patients presenting fractures decreased from55 to 17, presenting constant bone pain went from 39 to 8, with customary physical activities increased from 12 to 38 and all of them presented optimized functional motor mobility. All these differences were statistically significant. Conclusion. The use of pamidronate is related to a statistically significant decrease in fractures and bone pains and improvement on functional mobility and on regular practice of physical activity among patients with osteogenesis imperfecta, leading to a positive repercussion on their social integration.