Serum Neopterin Concentration in Children with Graves' Disease / 대한소아내분비학회지

PURPOSE:Neopterin is a marker of activation of the T-lymphocyte/monocyte axis. We measured serum neopterin concentration to investigate whether serum neopterin levels are increased in children with Graves' disease and whether serum neopterin measurement can be used as a marker of disease activity in Graves disease. METHODS:Twenty children with Graves' disease(3 boys and 17 girls) and 15 healthy children(7 boys and 8 girls) are enrolled in this study. Serum neopterin concentrations are measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS:Neopterin concentration in children with Graves' disease(1.59+/-1.25ng/ml) is not higher than that of healthy children(1.51+/-0.73ng/ml). Neopterin concentration is not influenced by thyroid function and remission state. CONCLUSION: Serum neopterin level in children with Graves' disease can not be used as a marker of activity.

A Case of Transient Neonatal Hypothyroidism Due to Maternal TSH-Binding Inhibitor Immunoglobulins / 대한소아내분비학회지

Recognition of transient forms of neonatal hypothyroidism is very important to prevent the complications of congenital hypothyroidism. Transplacental passage of TSH-binding inhibitory immunoglobulins(TBII) may result in transient congenital hypothyroidism. Transient neonatal hypothyroidism was found in a daughter of 25-yr-old mother who was receiving levothyroxine for primary hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The neonate was treated with thyroxine which was discontinued at 24 months of age. Thyroid scanning during the neonatal period failed to identify functional thyroid tissue, suggesting thyroid agenesis, whereas thyroid scan performed on subsequent follow-up revealed a normal gland. Sequential measurements of serum autoantibodies directed towards the TSH receptor were made in the patient and her mother. High titers of blocking antibodies were present in the mother(TBII, 82.1%) and newborn(TBII, 85.5%) at 19 days after birth. The levels remained persistently high in the mother, whereas they declined and undetectable in the patient at 23 months of age. The above laboratory and clinical data were compatible with blocking nature of TBII, resulting in transient neonatal hypothyroidism and an athyreotic appearance on scan. The TBII measurement can be a useful predictor of neonatal hypothyroidism as well as confirming the nature of the disease in newborn.

A Case of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dethydrogenase Deficiency with Chronic Hepatitis B / 대한소아내분비학회지

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase(G6PD) deficiency is the most common X- linked inherited disorder and is estimated to affect 400 million people worldwide. But the incidence of this disease is very rare in far-east Asia, especially in Korea. Many drugs and infections cause hemolytic anemia in patients with G6PD deficiency. We experienced a case of G6PD deficiency with chronic hepatitis B. The diagnosis was made by clinical symptoms, laboratory data including serologic test and bone marrow findings. We report a case of G6PD with chronic hepatitis with a brief review of related literatures.