Allotriophagy And Allotriodipsia In Endocrinology.

Allotriophagy is defined as food cravings that are different from the expected or the norm. It gives clinical pointers to an underlying diagnosis. We propose a new term, allotriodipsia which suggests a preference for beverages that are different from the norm. Taken together, these two entities may point towards certain endocrinological abnormalities and iatrogenic sequelae. In this communication we highlight the clinical relevance of allotriophagy and allotriodipsia.

Association of dietary intake with micronutrient deficiency in Indian school children: a cross-sectional study.

Adequate nutrition is necessary during childhood and early adolescence for adequate growth and development. Hence, the objective of the study was to assess the association between dietary intake and blood levels of minerals (calcium, iron, zinc, and selenium) and vitamins (folate, vitamin B12, vitamin A, and vitamin D) in urban school going children aged 6-16 years in India, in a multicentric cross-sectional study. Participants were enrolled from randomly selected schools in ten cities. Three-day food intake data was collected using a 24-h dietary recall method. The intake was dichotomised into adequate and inadequate. Blood samples were collected to assess levels of micronutrients. From April 2019 to February 2020, 2428 participants (50⋅2 % females) were recruited from 60 schools. Inadequate intake for calcium was in 93⋅4 % (246⋅5 ± 149⋅4 mg), iron 86⋅5 % (7⋅6 ± 3⋅0 mg), zinc 84⋅0 % (3⋅9 ± 2⋅4 mg), selenium 30⋅2 % (11⋅3 ± 9⋅7 mcg), folate 73⋅8 % (93⋅6 ± 55⋅4 mcg), vitamin B12 94⋅4 % (0⋅2 ± 0⋅4 mcg), vitamin A 96⋅0 % (101⋅7 ± 94⋅1 mcg), and vitamin D 100⋅0 % (0⋅4 ± 0⋅6 mcg). Controlling for sex and socioeconomic status, the odds of biochemical deficiency with inadequate intake for iron [AOR = 1⋅37 (95 % CI 1⋅07-1⋅76)], zinc [AOR = 5⋅14 (95 % CI 2⋅24-11⋅78)], selenium [AOR = 3⋅63 (95 % CI 2⋅70-4⋅89)], folate [AOR = 1⋅59 (95 % CI 1⋅25-2⋅03)], and vitamin B12 [AOR = 1⋅62 (95 %CI 1⋅07-2⋅45)]. Since there is a significant association between the inadequate intake and biochemical deficiencies of iron, zinc, selenium, folate, and vitamin B12, regular surveillance for adequacy of micronutrient intake must be undertaken to identify children at risk of deficiency, for timely intervention.

Effect of morning versus night-time administration of proton pump inhibitor (pantoprazole) on thyroid function test in levothyroxine-treated primary hypothyroidism: a prospective cross-over study.

BACKGROUND: One of the common causes of suboptimal control of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in levothyroxine-treated hypothyroidism is coadministration of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Morning administration of pantoprazole has been shown to suppress intragastric pH to a greater extent. We therefore aimed to determine the effect of pantoprazole at different time points of the day on thyroid function test (TFT) in levothyroxine-treated overt primary hypothyroidism. METHODS: In this single centre, hospital based, prospective, two arm cross-over study (AB, BA), participants were randomized into 2 groups based on morning (6:00 am - 7:00 am simultaneously with the scheduled levothyroxine tablet) (group M) and evening (30 min before dinner) intake of 40 mg pantoprazole tablet (group N). After the initial 6 weeks (period 1), a washout period of 1 week for pantoprazole was given, and then both the groups crossed over for another 6 weeks (period 2). Patients were instructed to continue the same brand of levothyroxine tablet at empty stomach 1-hour before breakfast. Serum TSH was measured at baseline, week 6, and week 13. RESULTS: Data from 30 patients, who completed the study with 100% compliance, were analysed. Mean TSH values of the study participants were significantly higher both at week 6 and week 13 compared to the baseline. Mean baseline serum TSH concentrations for groups M and N were 2.70 (± 1.36), and 2.20 (± 1.06) µlU/mL, respectively. Mean serum TSH concentrations at the end periods 1 and 2 for group M were 3.78 (± 4.29), and 3.76 (± 2.77) while the levels in group N were 3.30 (± 1.90), and 4.53 (± 4.590) µlU/mL, respectively. There was a significant rise in serum TSH concentration across periods 1 and 2 in both the groups (F2, 58 = 3.87, p = 0.03). Within group changes in TSH across periods 1 and 2 were not statistically significant. Similarly difference in TSH between the groups, either at 6 weeks or at 13 weeks, were also not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant use of pantoprazole, even for 6 weeks, leads to significant elevation in serum TSH in levothyroxine-treated patients who are biochemically euthyroid, irrespective of timing of pantoprazole intake. Early morning and night-time administration of pantoprazole have similar effect on TFT in these patients.

Micronutrients and cognitive functions among urban school-going children and adolescents: A cross-sectional multicentric study from India.

BACKGROUND: Micronutrient deficiency (MD) is associated with deficits in cognitive functioning of children. However, no comprehensive multicentric study has been conducted in India to explore the role of multiple MD in cognition of children and adolescents. The present study aimed to explore association of MD with level of general intelligence and specific cognitive functions, in urban school-going children and adolescents across ten cities of India. METHOD: Cross-sectional multicentric study, enrolled participants aged 6-16 years. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis of calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, folate, vitamin A, D and B12. Colored Progressive Matrices / Standard Progressive Matrices (CPM/SPM), Coding, Digit Span and Arithmetic tests were used for the assessment of cognitive functions of participants. Height and weight measures were collected along with socio-economic status. RESULTS: From April-2019 to February-2020, 2428 participants were recruited from 60 schools. No MD was found in 7.0% (134/1918), any one MD in 23.8% (457/1918) and ≥ 2 MD in 69.2% (1327/1918) participants. In presence of ≥ 2 MD, adjusted odds ratio (OR) for borderline or dull normal in CPM/SPM was 1.63, (95% CI: 1.05-2.52), coding was 1.66 (95% CI: 1.02-2.71), digit span was 1.55 (95% CI: 1.06-2.25) and arithmetic was 1.72 (95% CI: 1.17-2.53), controlling for gender, socioeconomic status and anthropometric indicators. CONCLUSION: Since ≥ 2 MD were found in more than 2/3rd of participants and was associated with impairment in cognitive function, attempts must be made to ameliorate them on priority in school going children in India. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CTRI/2019/02/017783.

Hypoplastic amelogenesis imperfecta, bilateral nephrolithiasis and FGF-23-mediated hypophosphataemia: a triad of FAM20A-related enamel renal syndrome.

Enamel renal syndrome (ERS) due to loss of function (LOF) mutation of FAM20A gene typically consists of hypoplastic amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) and bilateral nephrolithiasis/nephrocalcinosis. Recent evidence suggests that FAM20A interacts with FAM20C and increases its activity; thus LOF mutation of FAM20A leads to impaired FAM20C action. FAM20C, a golgi casein kinase, phosphorylates fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23, prevents its glycosylation and makes it more susceptible to degradation by furine proteases. Consequently, inactivating mutations of FAM20C lead to increased concentration of bioactive and intact FGF-23 in circulation and resultant hypophosphataemia. LOF mutation of FAM20A, thus, might also be associated with FGF-23-mediated hypophosphataemia; however, such an association has never been reported in the literature. We describe, for the first time, a triad of AI, bilateral nephrolithiasis and FGF-23-mediated hypophosphataemia in LOF mutation of FAM20A. We suggest that serum phosphate should be measured in all patients with ERS to avoid metabolic and skeletal complications of undiagnosed, hence untreated hypophosphataemia.

Desmopressin treatment in dipsogenic form of primary polydipsia: keep serum osmolality marginally below thirst threshold for symptomatic relief.

Dipsogenic polydipsia (DP), a distinct variety of primary polydipsia, is characterised by selective diminution of osmotic threshold for thirst leading to polydipsia and subsequent hypotonic polyuria. Seen in patients without underlying psychiatric illness, DP closely mimics central diabetes insipidus (CDI), making it difficult for clinicians to discriminate these two conditions from each other. Carefully performed osmotic stimulation study, incorporating objective assessment of threshold for thirst and arginine vasopressin (AVP) release is the key to differentiate DP from CDI or psychogenic polydipsia, also termed compulsive water drinking (CWD). Low thirst threshold and high AVP release threshold separate DP from CDI and CWD, respectively. Unlike CWD, desmopressin may be successfully used in DP without concomitant risk of hyponatremia. We describe a child, in whom an initial diagnosis of partial CDI was subsequently revised to DP based on osmotic stimulation test. The child was treated successfully with desmopressin therapy with a target to keep serum osmolality close to thirst threshold.

Continuous and progressive 'wash-in' without 'wash-out' of contrast in adrenal mass: a useful feature of ganglioneuroma.

Computed tomography (CT) scan is a useful and widely performed diagnostic modality to evaluate adrenal masses. Nature of the mass determines the degree of attenuation both in unenhanced and in different phases of contrast enhancement. Benign neurogenic tumours like ganglioneuroma mimicks pheochromocytoma and adrenocortical carcinoma in non-contrast CT scan. The 'adrenal protocol' routinely calculates the wash-out pattern at delayed venous phase (DVP) (15 min) following contrast administration to differentiate majority of benign masses from the malignant ones. Ganglioneuromas typically exhibit continuous wash-in of contrast where enhancement gradually increases to attain its peak in DVP. Such wash-in pattern is different from the wash-out pattern observed in pheochromocytomas or adrenocortical adenomas or carcinomas. Presence of this wash-in pattern provides a useful clue to the clinician for underlying ganglioneuroma in hormonally inactive adrenal masses with suspicious morphological appearances. This wash-in pattern also effectively rules out any malignant potential of ganglioneuroma, and thus helps in preoperative decision-making.

IMCI approach in tertiary hospitals, India.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to compare physicians' diagnosis with Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) algorithm generated diagnosis in hospitalized children aged 2-59 months. METHODS: Recruited were patients aged 2-59 months admitted with one or more IMCI danger signs. IMCI and physician's diagnosis were noted and compared. RESULTS: In 222 included subjects, mean duration of illness was 9.4 (SD: 16.5) days. Among those with cough or difficult breathing, 44 (19.8%) and 66 (29.7%) were diagnosed as either severe pneumonia or mild to moderate pneumonia by physicians and IMCI algorithm, respectively (p= 0.015). Among 146 presenting as fever, 140 (95.9%) were diagnosed as very severe febrile disease by the IMCI algorithm, whereas physicians diagnosed these as either malaria in 10/146 (6.7%), pyogenic meningitis in 47/146 (32.2%), sepsis in 31/146 (21.3%), tuberculous meningitis in 17/146 (11.6%), encephalitis in 5/146 (3.4%), measles in 3/146 (2.1%) or others in 24/146 (16.4%). CONCLUSION: As there was a low concordance between physician and IMCI algorithmic diagnosis of pneumonia (Kappa value= 0.74, 95% CI: (0.64-0.84)) and since very severe febrile disease is not a diagnosis made by the physicians, the IMCI algorithms have to be refined for appropriate management of these conditions.