Turner's syndrome in Italy: familial characteristics, neonatal data, standards for birth weight and for height and weight from infancy to adulthood

Increased interstage morbidity and mortality following stage 1 palliation in patients with genetic abnormalities

BACKGROUND

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome and single ventricle variants with aortic hypoplasia are commonly classified as severe forms of CHD. We hypothesised patients with these severe defects and reported genetic abnormalities have increased morbidity and mortality during the interstage period.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This was a retrospective review of the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative Phase I registry. Three patient groups were identified: major syndromes, other genetic abnormalities, and no reported genetic abnormality. Tukey post hoc test was applied for pairwise group comparisons of length of stay, death, and combined outcome of death, not a candidate for stage 2 palliation, and heart transplant. Participating centres received a survey to establish genetic testing and reporting practices. Of the 2182 patients, 110 (5%) had major genetic syndromes, 126 (6%) had other genetic abnormalities, and 1946 (89%) had no genetic abnormality. Those with major genetic syndromes weighed less at birth and stage 1 palliation. Patients with no reported genetic abnormalities reached full oral feeds sooner and discharged earlier. The combined outcome of death, not a candidate for stage 2 palliation, and heart transplant was more common in those with major syndromes. Survey response was low (n = 23, 38%) with only 14 (61%) routinely performing and reporting genetic testing.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with genetic abnormalities experienced greater morbidity and mortality during the interstage period than those with no reported genetic abnormalities. Genetic testing and reporting practices vary significantly between participating centres.

Sex dimorphism of weight and length at birth: evidence based on disorders of sex development

BACKGROUND

Males have higher weight and length at birth than females.

AIM

To verify the influence of the Y chromosome and the action of intrauterine androgens on weight and length at birth of children with Disorders of Sex Development (DSD).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional and retrospective study. Patients with Turner syndrome (TS), complete (XX and XY), mixed (45,X/46,XY) and partial (XY) gonadal dysgenesis (GD), complete (CAIS) and partial (PAIS) androgen insensitivity syndromes and XX and XY congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) were included. Weight and length at birth were evaluated.

RESULTS

Weight and length at birth were lower in TS and mixed GD when compared to XY and XX DSD cases. In turn, patients with increased androgen action (117 cases) had higher weight and length at birth when compared to those with absent (108 cases) and decreased (68 cases) production/action. In birthweight, there was a negative influence of the 45,X/46,XY karyotype and a positive influence of increased androgen and gestational age. In birth length, there was a negative influence of the 45,X and 45,X/46,XY karyotypes and also a positive influence of increased androgen and gestational age.

CONCLUSIONS

The sex dimorphism of weight and length at birth could possibly be influenced by intrauterine androgenic action.

Growth in girls with Turner syndrome

Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder affecting females characterized by short stature and gonadal dysgenesis. Untreated girls with TS reportedly are approximately 20-cm shorter than normal girls within their respective populations. The growth patterns of girls with TS also differ from those of the general population. They are born a little smaller than the normal population possibly due to a mild developmental delay in the uterus. After birth, their growth velocity declines sharply until 2 years of age, then continues to decline gradually until the pubertal age of normal children and then drops drastically around the pubertal period of normal children because of the lack of a pubertal spurt. After puberty, their growth velocity increases a little because of the lack of epiphyseal closure. A secular trend in height growth has been observed in girls with TS so growth in excess of the secular trend should be used wherever available in evaluating the growth in these girls. Growth hormone (GH) has been used to accelerate growth and is known to increase adult height. Estrogen replacement treatment is also necessary for most girls with TS because of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. Therefore, both GH therapy and estrogen replacement treatment are essential in girls with TS. An optimal treatment should be determined considering both GH treatment and age-appropriate induction of puberty. In this review, we discuss the growth in girls with TS, including overall growth, pubertal growth, the secular trend, growth-promoting treatment, and sex hormone replacement treatment.

Congenital Hyperinsulinism in Infants with Turner Syndrome: Possible Association with Monosomy X and KDM6A Haploinsufficiency

BACKGROUND

Previous case reports have suggested a possible association of congenital hyperinsulinism with Turner syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the clinical and molecular features in girls with both congenital hyperinsulinism and Turner syndrome seen at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) between 1974 and 2017.

METHODS

Records of girls with hyperinsulinism and Turner syndrome were reviewed. Insulin secretion was studied in pancreatic islets and in mouse islets treated with an inhibitor of KDM6A, an X chromosome gene associated with hyperinsulinism in Kabuki syndrome.

RESULTS

Hyperinsulinism was diagnosed in 12 girls with Turner syndrome. Six were diazoxide-unresponsive; 3 had pancreatectomies. The incidence of Turner syndrome among CHOP patients with hyperinsulinism (10 of 1,050 from 1997 to 2017) was 48 times more frequent than expected. The only consistent chromosomal anomaly in these girls was the presence of a 45,X cell line. Studies of isolated islets from 1 case showed abnormal elevated cytosolic calcium and heightened sensitivity to amino acid-stimulated insulin release; similar alterations were demonstrated in mouse islets treated with a KDM6A inhibitor.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate a higher than expected frequency of Turner syndrome among children with hyperinsulinism. Our data suggest that haploinsufficiency for KDM6A due to mosaic X chromosome monosomy may be responsible for hyperinsulinism in Turner syndrome.

Relationship Between Obesity and Liver Enzymes Levels in Turner's Syndrome

Background

Liver enzyme abnormalities have been reported in Turner’s syndrome (TS). There are some studies about possible causes of abnormal levels of liver enzymes. One of the main suggestions is obesity. The study aimed to determine the relationship between obesity and liver enzymes levels in patients with TS.

Methods

Forty-one karyotype-proven TS patients referred to Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center were included in this cross-sectional study. Height and weight of patients were measured and their body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The patients were divided into two groups as the control group including 27 cases (65.8%) with normal BMI (defined as < 85th percentile for age and gender), and the overweight group including 14 cases (34.2%) (defined as BMI > 85th percentile for age and gender). Serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AlkPh) were measured.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences regarding AST (27 ± 2.7 vs. 29.6 ± 5.85 U/L; P = 0.3), ALT (20.1 ± 2.45 vs. 22.2 ± 5.85 U/L; P = 0.5), and AlkPh (583.4 ± 2.45 vs. 472.8 ± 161.5 U/L; P = 0.28) between overweight TS patients and those with normal BMI.

Conclusion

There was no significant difference in liver enzyme levels between TS patients with normal BMI and those who were overweight.

Anthropometric findings from birth to adulthood and their relation with karyotpye distribution in Turkish girls with Turner syndrome

To evaluate the anthropometric features of girls with Turner syndrome (TS) at birth and presentation and the effect of karyotype on these parameters. Data were collected from 842 patients with TS from 35 different centers, who were followed-up between 1984 and 2014 and whose diagnosis age ranged from birth to 18 years. Of the 842 patients, 122 girls who received growth hormone, estrogen or oxandrolone were excluded, and 720 girls were included in the study. In this cohort, the frequency of small for gestational age (SGA) birth was 33%. The frequency of SGA birth was 4.2% (2/48) in preterm and 36% (174/483) in term neonates (P < 0.001). The mean birth length was 1.3 cm shorter and mean birth weight was 0.36 kg lower than that of the normal population. The mean age at diagnosis was 10.1 ± 4.4 years. Mean height, weight and body mass index standard deviation scores at presentation were -3.1 ± 1.7, -1.4 ± 1.5, and 0.4 ± 1.7, respectively. Patients with isochromosome Xq were significantly heavier than those with other karyotype groups (P = 0.007). Age at presentation was negatively correlated and mid-parental height was positively correlated with height at presentation. Mid-parental height and age at presentation were the only parameters that were associated with height of children with TS. The frequency of SGA birth was found higher in preterm than term neonates but the mechanism could not be clarified. We found no effect of karyotype on height of girls with TS, whereas weight was greater in 46,X,i(Xq) and 45,X/46,X,i(Xq) karyotype groups.

Growth curves for Turkish Girls with Turner Syndrome: Results of the Turkish Turner Syndrome Study Group

OBJECTIVE

Children with Turner syndrome (TS) have a specific growth pattern that is quite different from that of healthy children. Many countries have population-specific growth charts for TS. Considering national and ethnic differences, we undertook this multicenter collaborative study to construct growth charts and reference values for height, weight and body mass index (BMI) from 3 years of age to adulthood for spontaneous growth of Turkish girls with TS.

METHODS

Cross-sectional height and weight data of 842 patients with TS, younger than 18 years of age and before starting any therapy, were evaluated.

RESULTS

The data were processed to calculate the 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 97th percentile values for defined ages and to construct growth curves for height-for-age, weight-for-age and BMI-for-age of girls with TS. The growth pattern of TS girls in this series resembled the growth pattern of TS girls in other reports, but there were differences in height between our series and the others.

CONCLUSION

This study provides disease-specific growth charts for Turkish girls with TS. These disease-specific national growth charts will serve to improve the evaluation of growth and its management with growth-promoting therapeutic agents in TS patients.

Growth curves for girls with Turner syndrome

The objective of this study was to review the growth curves for Turner syndrome, evaluate the methodological and statistical quality, and suggest potential growth curves for clinical practice guidelines. The search was carried out in the databases Medline and Embase. Of 1006 references identified, 15 were included. Studies constructed curves for weight, height, weight/height, body mass index, head circumference, height velocity, leg length, and sitting height. The sample ranged between 47 and 1,565 (total = 6,273) girls aged 0 to 24 y, born between 1950 and 2006. The number of measures ranged from 580 to 9,011 (total = 28,915). Most studies showed strengths such as sample size, exclusion of the use of growth hormone and androgen, and analysis of confounding variables. However, the growth curves were restricted to height, lack of information about selection bias, limited distributional properties, and smoothing aspects. In conclusion, we observe the need to construct an international growth reference for girls with Turner syndrome, in order to provide support for clinical practice guidelines.

Reduced sebum production in Turner syndrome: a study of twenty-two patients

Turner's syndrome (TS) is a genetic disorder caused by numeric and/or structural abnormalities of the X chromosome. In a previous study it was observed that acne is less frequent in TS than in the general population. Since the onset of acne in pre-pubertal or pubertal age is related to sebum production, this study evaluates sebum secretion in TS patients, comparing the results with those of a control group of age-matched healthy female subjects. A total of 22 patients affected by TS (mean age 26.56±7.89 years) and a control group of 23 age-matched healthy females were studied. Sebum production was measured using a Sebumeter SM810. Mean sebum secretion in TS subjects was significantly lower than in the control group (81.35±66.44 UA vs 147.09±33.62 UA, p<0.001) and this significant difference was found in every facial zone. The reduction of sebum secretion may explain, using a simple and non-invasive method, the absence or the low incidence of acne in TS patients.

New reference growth charts for Japanese girls with Turner syndrome

BACKGROUND

Currently used growth charts for Japanese girls with Turner syndrome (TS) were constructed with auxological data obtained before the secular trend in growth reached a plateau. These charts were published in 1992 and may no longer be valid for the evaluation of stature and growth in girls with TS in clinical settings. Thus, we need to establish new clinical growth charts.

METHODS

The samples for analysis were obtained by a retrospective cohort study. A total of 1867 Japanese girls with TS were registered between 1991 and 2004 for growth hormone (GH) treatment and their pretreatment anthropometric measurements were obtained. Reference growth charts were newly constructed using the LMS method from 1447 girls' cross-sectional data after exclusion of measurements derived from those with the presence of puberty, with previous growth-promoting treatment, or without cytogenetic evidence of TS.

RESULTS

The new clinical reference growth charts differ from the old charts. Secular trends can be detected in both height and weight. Mean adult height on the new chart is 141.2 cm, 3.0 cm taller than the old data. This result seems attributable to the secular trend observed during the same period in Japanese women.

CONCLUSIONS

The newly constructed clinical reference growth charts for Japanese girls with TS seem to be better for the evaluation of growth in girls with TS born after approximately 1970, although selection bias and some other limitations in the present study should be kept in mind.

Inconsistent determination of overweight by two anthropometric indices in girls with Turner syndrome

AIM

To evaluate the prevalence of overweight in girls with Turner syndrome (TS) as classified by the two major anthropometric indices, body mass index (BMI) and weight-for-height (WFH) and to make growth reference charts of them for comparison with those of the normal population.

METHOD

The samples for analysis were obtained from a retrospective cohort. In total, 1447 girls' cross-sectional data were analysed. Subjects were divided into four groups by ages: group A (0-5.99 years), B (6-10.99 years), C (11-15.99 years) and D (16-20.99 years). The cut-off values of overweight by BMI and WFH were those of the 90th percentile and 120 percent, respectively and the prevalence was calculated. For constructing growth reference charts, the LMS method was used.

RESULTS

The prevalence of overweight differed between the two indices. The proportions of the coincidental classification in all subjects, group A, B, C and D were 82.53%, 89.96%, 91.79%, 69.98% and 60.61%, respectively. These differences corresponded to the difference of age-dependent patterns of the two indices from those of the normal population, as judged from the growth charts constructed with all subjects.

CONCLUSION

A discrepancy in the prevalence of overweight as classified by BMI and WFH for girls with TS was detected.

Spontaneous final height in Turner's syndrome in Brazil

Short stature is the main factor of emotional impact in girls and women with Turner's syndrome (TS). Growth hormone, alone or associated with sex steroids, allows better adult height. The results of spontaneous final height (FH) in TS can help to evaluate the real cost-benefit of any treatment to improve FH in patients from the same population. The aim of this study was to determine spontaneous FH in women TS and to look for factors which influence it. We evaluated 58 patients with TS who attained FH. Data of weight and length at birth, parents' heights, karyotype, spontaneous puberty and sex hormone replacement were obtained. Mean FH was 144.8 cm and target height 157.0 cm. FH was correlated only to maternal height. The deficit in FH was lower than that found in other Brazilian studies but similar to that described in the literature. This study may help verify the efficacy of therapeutic actions on FH of Brazilian women with TS.

Turner Syndrome, Insulin Sensitivity and Growth Hormone Treatment

Mild insulin resistance appears to be an early metabolic defect in girls with Turner syndrome (TS). Impaired glucose tolerance has been reported in 10-34% of patients with TS, and type 2 diabetes mellitus is 2-4 times more common and occurs at a younger age in girls with TS than in the general population. In a mixed longitudinal and cross-sectional study, we analysed carbohydrate tolerance and insulin sensitivity in 46 children and adolescents with TS who reached their final height after long-term treatment (mean 6.3 +/- 2.5 years) with growth hormone (GH: 0.33 mg/kg/week [0.05 mg/kg/day]), and in 36 of these patients who were followed-up after the cessation of GH therapy (mean follow-up, 2.6 +/- 2.5 years; range, 1-9.5 years). Patients with TS were compared with an age-matched female control group. Insulin sensitivity appeared to be lower in patients with TS than in controls, even before the start of GH therapy. As in controls, insulin sensitivity decreased with age in patients with TS, and levels were lower in those aged >12 years than in those aged <12 years. GH therapy resulted in good catch-up growth in patients with TS, with final height significantly higher than projected height evaluated before the initiation of GH therapy. Insulin sensitivity increased after 7-8 years of therapy and, on the cessation of GH therapy, returned to pre-treatment levels. The increase in insulin sensitivity seen on the cessation of GH therapy appeared to be influenced negatively by body mass index and triglyceride levels, and correlated positively with the number of years since cessation of GH therapy. As in the general population, excess weight and an abnormal lipid profile, in particular excess triglyceride levels, worsened insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, our study confirms that GH therapy reduces insulin sensitivity, but at its cessation there is a return to pre-therapy values. We therefore report a progressive improvement in carbohydrate tolerance and insulin function in patients with TS, despite an increase in age.

Increased liver enzymes and hormonal therapies in girls and adolescents with Turner syndrome

Elevated liver enzymes can be seen relatively frequently in patients with Turner syndrome (TS), while the pathogenesis of this remains unclear. Our epidemiological and prospective study aimed to investigate: a) the natural 2-yr course of liver disease in a selected cohort of young patients with TS, who had been preliminarily recruited on the basis of persistently elevated liver enzymes; b) the role of prolonged hormonal therapies in the etiology of liver dysfunction. From an overall population of 214 TS patients younger than 20 yr, only 19 (8.9%) were recruited, according to the following inclusion criteria: increased serum concentrations of one or more liver enzymes, exceeding the uppermost limit of the respective normal ranges, and persistence of these liver alterations for 6 months after the preliminary assessment. On the basis of the results of this prospective study, we can conclude that: a) the prevalence of liver abnormalities in girls and adolescents with TS is much lower and more strictly related to hormonal therapies than in TS adults; b) both autoimmunity and obesity are not frequently involved in the etiology of TS liver dysfunction; c) liver damage is either mild or moderate and its severity is not conditioned by karyotype; d) its course may be self-limiting; e) its natural history may be characterized in some cases by a slight deterioration of intrahepatic cholestasis, with no negative repercussions on liver synthetic function.

Proporções corporais em um grupo de pacientes brasileiras com Síndrome de Turner

OBJETIVO: Trata-se do primeiro estudo brasileiro com o objetivo de avaliar as proporções corporais de pacientes com síndrome de Turner (ST) não tratadas com hormônio de crescimento. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de 50 pacientes com ST (5 a 43 anos), avaliando-se idade, cariótipo, desenvolvimento puberal e medidas de estatura em pé e sentada, envergadura, peso, IMC, perímetro cefálico, mão e pé, perna, relação entre cintura e quadril, diâmetros biacromial e bi-ilíaco. Transformação dos dados em escore z de desvio-padrão. Realizada análise descritiva e aplicados o teste de Mann-Whitney e a análise de variância. RESULTADOS: Não foram observadas diferenças das variáveis em relação aos cariótipos: 22 eram impúberes e 28 púberes, e todas as variáveis em valores absolutos foram significativamente maiores na puberdade. Não foram observadas diferenças em relação aos escores z das variáveis analisadas em relação à puberdade. Todas as variáveis apresentaram escores z médios acima de -2, com exceção da estatura em pé e envergadura nas impúberes e também da estatura sentada e da mão nas púberes. O mesmo foi observado quando se analisou as 15 pacientes com idade > 20 anos, sendo apenas o peso, o IMC e os diâmetros biacromial e bi-ilíaco significativamente menores que os dados dinamarqueses de Gravholt e Naeera de 1997. CONCLUSÃO: O comprometimento de crescimento na ST ocorre fundamentalmente no eixo longitudinal, e os resultados observados neste estudo são comparáveis aos dinamarqueses.

Adult height in sixty girls with Turner syndrome treated with growth hormone matched with an untreated group

The main clinical feature of Turner syndrome (TS) is growth failure, with a mean spontaneous adult height ranging between 136 and 147 cm, according to the specific curves of various populations. Though a classical deficiency of GH has not been generally demonstrated, GH has been administered since 1980 in trials, using replacement doses just initially, with a subsequent trend to increase it. We report the outcome of GH therapy given at the fixed dose of 0.33 mg/kg/week in 60 TS girls observed until adult height; 59 untreated TS girls, matched for auxological, karyotypical characteristics and time of observation, born within the same decade served as controls to evaluate GH efficacy. The calculation of the gain in cm over PAH was performed on specific Italian Turner curves, as well as height evaluation as SD score and growth velocity. The same calculations were made using Lyon references and Tanner standards. The mean CA at the beginning of GH treatment was 10.9 +/- 2.76 yr (range 4.5-15.9). Mean adult height of treated group was 151 +/- 6.1 cm with a gain over the PAH calculated at start of therapy (142.9 +/- 5.3 cm) of 8.2 +/- 3.9 cm. Ns change was observed between the PAH at first observation (143.6 +/- 7.0 cm) and adult height (144.3 +/- 5.6 cm) in the control group. Treatment was well tolerated, no relevant side effects were observed, glucose metabolism resulted no more affected than in untreated subjects, IGF-I levels remained within 2 SD. Our results in 60 TS girls, though the dose remained unchanged throughout the treatment, show a good response, characterized by a striking variability in each patient (mean gain in cm over PAH at adult height of 8.17 +/- 3.9, range 3-21 cm), and significant also in comparison with the control group. As the chronological age at start of therapy ranged between 4.5 to 15.9 yr, the results were further evaluated dividing the patients into two groups, according to the age, < or >11 yr. Thirty girls were <11 yr (mean 8.7 +/- 1.76 yr) and 30 were >11 yr (mean 13.2 +/- 1.4 yr). The gain in cm over the PAH in each group was, respectively, 8.1 +/- 3.4 and 8.2 +/- 4.3 cm without any significant difference between the two groups, showing no negative correlation between the CA at the beginning of GH and the response to treatment.

Halo nevus, rather than vitiligo, is a typical dermatologic finding of Turner's syndrome: Clinical, genetic, and immunogenetic study in 72 patients

Turner's syndrome (TS) is a genetic disorder caused by numeric and/or structural abnormalities of the X chromosome; it is characterized by short stature, gonadal dysgenesis, and frequently by webbed neck, cubitus valgus, and lymphedema at birth. TS has been associated with several cutaneous abnormalities including an increased frequency of pigmented nevi, but few reports consider nevi in detail. Halo nevus (HN) is clinically defined as a melanocytic nevus surrounded by a halo of depigmentation. Vitiligo, a dermatologic disorder characterized by the presence of depigmented patches on the skin, has been described in the list of cutaneous findings associated with TS. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HN and vitiligo in TS and to evaluate if a correlation between major histocompatibility complex genes, karyotype, autoimmunity, therapies, and the presence of HN exists. Of the 72 patients with TS examined, 13 had HN, a prevalence of 18.05%, which was significantly higher than in our control group (1%; P=.000001). On the contrary, only 2 patients with TS (2.77%, P=not significant) had vitiligo. By comparing the distribution of HLA class I alleles between patients with TS who did (13 of 72) and did not (59 of 72) have HN, we observed a significantly higher frequency of HLA-Cw6 in patients with TS and HN than in those without HN (26.92% vs 6.78%, respectively; P=.0067; odds ratio=5.06). The study of HLA class II genomic polymorphisms showed that the DRB1(*)0701 and DQB1*02 alleles for patients with TS and HN were overrepresented when compared with those without HN (34.61% vs 11.86%, respectively, P=.0078, odds ratio=3.93; and 34.61% vs 19.49%, respectively, P=.1386, odds ratio=2.19). In conclusion, this study is the first to demonstrate an increased prevalence of HN for patients with TS. Furthermore, the data suggest that a HN putative susceptibility gene in TS is located close to the HLA-C locus.

Turner syndrome in childhood and adolescence

Turner syndrome (TS) is the most common chromosomal disorder causing short stature in females. The short stature is caused at least in part by haploinsufficiency of the short stature homeobox (SHOX) gene. Complete spontaneous puberty may occur in approximately 16% of patients, with spontaneous pregnancy in up to 4%. The final height of untreated TS girls is 86-88% of the mean adult female height. Growth hormone (GH) given alone or with oxandrolone improves final height. The major factors determining the outcome of GH therapy are the dose of GH used and the number of years of GH therapy prior to oestrogenization. Pubertal induction in TS should be individualized bearing in mind growth optimization and psychological issues. Adolescents and adults with TS may face a range of medical, fertility and psychosocial issues. Psychological support for TS individuals and families is important throughout life and should ideally be provided by both health professionals and TS support groups.

Short bi-iliac distance in prenatal Ullrich-Turner syndrome

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the bi-iliac distance and the caudo-cranial position of the iliac bones in Ullrich-Turner syndrome (UTS) fetuses compared to recently published standards for normal fetuses. Whole-body radiographs in antero-posterior projections of 24 UTS fetuses (crown-rump lengths, 106-220 mm) were included in the study. From each radiograph, two horizontal (outer and inner bi-iliac distances) and two vertical (caudo-cranial) positions compared to the vertebral column were measured to estimate the position of the iliac bones. The present investigation revealed that both the outer and inner bi-iliac distances were significantly shorter in UTS fetuses than in normal fetuses. We also found that for the inner bi-iliac distance, the growth rate in UTS fetuses was significantly lower than in normal fetuses. This finding suggests not only a lesser growth but also a different growth pattern compared to normal fetuses. Regarding the caudo-cranial position of the iliac bones compared to the lower vertebral column, there was no significant difference for the lower caudo-cranial position, but the upper caudo-cranial position was significantly lower in UTS fetuses than in normal fetuses. The bi-iliac distance and the iliac bone position have not previously been described in Ullrich-Turner syndrome fetuses.

Kinetic models for normal and impaired growth

Although microkinetic models are expected to play in the future the same role that macrokinetic models have played in the past, classic mechanistic growth functions are still worthy of study and may still provide insight into auxological problems. The rather rigid shape of macrokinetic models may ignore many interesting fluctuations of growth velocity, but a strong structure allows a robust estimate of growth kinetics even in the case of growth profiles which are largely incomplete, as those derived from current clinical records. In any case, the too simplified shape of these models may be adjusted, to some extent, by adding some unstructured smooth function of residuals which takes into account minor aspects of growth (such as slight spurts during childhood), which cannot be detected in an individual profile because of random errors and inadequate number of observations. This paper recalls the reasons why growth models are useful, analyses briefly the structure and the characteristics of the two fundamental human growth functions, i.e. triple-logistic and PB1, and shows how the use of PB1 model may be extended also to impaired growth, e.g. in girls with Turner syndrome. In this regard, the use of the same model for normal and pathological growth offers the important advantage that differences between growth patterns are not confounded with differences between models.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 growth charts

Growth abnormalities such as macrocephaly and short stature have been described and are considered a consistent finding in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), one of the most common autosomal dominant disorders in man. We present here a clinical study on the growth profile of a sample of NF1 patients collected through a population-based registry that covers three contiguous regions of North-East Italy (NEI-NF Registry). Auxometric traits of 528 NF1 patients have been measured with the aim of drawing growth charts for height, weight, and head circumference (OFC). Height velocity charts were based on a subset of 143 children who underwent multiple measurements. No differences in height were apparent between NF1 and normal subjects up to age 7 (girls) and 12 (boys) years; subsequently, the 50th centile of NF1 subjects tends to overlap with the 25th centile of normal subjects, and the 3rd centile is much lower in NF1 subjects than in normal subjects, mainly during adolescence. The negatively skewed distribution of height seems to indicate that height growth impairment affects only a proportion of NF1 subjects; height growth impairment does not seem related to disease severity. As for weight, our data suggest that slight overweight is a characteristic of adult NF1 subjects (mainly among males), independent of disease severity. Height growth velocity is normal during childhood for both sexes, whereas the pubertal spurt is slightly anticipated and reduced in NF1 boys but not in girls. Our data confirm previous observations that macrocrania affects most NF1 subjects; the shape of the head growth curve is similar in NF1 and normal girls, whereas NF1 boys present an OFC pubertal growth spurt much more pronounced and delayed than normal boys. The disproportion between OFC and height seems to be related to disease severity in boys but not in girls. Growth charts presented here can be useful in neurofibromatosis clinics for the identification of the effects of secondary growth disorders, for growth prognosis, and for the evaluation of the effects of a therapy such as GH therapy after radiotherapy for optic glioma.

Endogenous growth hormone secretion does not correlate with growth in patients with Turner's syndrome. Italian Study Group for Turner Syndrome

We investigated in Turner's syndrome patients whether the decrease in growth hormone (GH) secretion is frequent or sporadic, whether or not reduced GH secretion contributes to insufficient growth, and whether age, spontaneous presence of telarche and/or pubarche, karyotype and weight influence GH secretion decrease. We evaluated GH reserve in 301 patients by classical stimulation tests and in 68 of these patients mean nocturnal spontaneous secretion was also measured. Spontaneous telarche and/or pubarche were present in 33% of girls aged > 9 years. In 11% of patients, weight was more than 20% above levels appropriate for height. In 36.2% of patients (low-responders), we observed a reduction of the GH reserve (peak < or = 10 micrograms/l during two stimulation tests). Moreover, we noted reduced mean nocturnal spontaneous secretion (< or = 3.3 micrograms/l) in 61.8% of patients. Karyotype and the presence/absence of spontaneous telarche and/or pubarche did not influence either GH reserve or mean nocturnal spontaneous secretion. GH secretion (both GH reserve and mean nocturnal spontaneous secretion) did not influence height, yet low-responders had a significantly higher chronological age than normal-responders. Obese Turner's girls were low-responders and showed reduced mean nocturnal spontaneous secretion more frequently than normal weight girls; body mass index was significantly higher in patients with reduced GH secretion when compared to patients with normal GH secretion. We conclude that impairment of GH secretion is frequent in Turner's syndrome patients, especially if obese; that GH secretion impairment is not related to karyotype or spontaneous telarche and/or pubarche; that GH secretion is irrelevant to growth in these, patients and, therefore, its evaluation is unnecessary.

Reference values for body proportions and body composition in adult women with Ullrich-Turner syndrome

This cross sectional study was undertaken to establish reference values for adult women with Ullrich-Turner syndrome (UTS) verified cytogenetically by blood karyotyping and not treated with growth hormone during childhood and adolescence, with respect to anthropometric and body composition measurements, for future evaluations of growth promoting therapy. All members of the Danish Turner Association were invited, and 79 women with UTS participated. Forty-two had the 45,X karyotype and the other 37 had different karyotypes. Outcome measures were height, sitting height, arm span, length of hand and foot, biacromial and biiliac diameter, and hip, waist, and head circumference. Bioelectrical impedance was performed, and total body water, lean body mass, and fat mass were calculated. Results give a very distinct anthropometric picture of adult women with the UTS, with a mean height of 146.8+/-6.7 cm (mean+/-SD), sitting height of 78.6+/-3.6 cm, arm span measurements of 147.9+/-7.1 cm, being between 3 and 4 standard deviation scores (SDS) below average; with a mean hand length of 17.0+/-1.1 cm and foot length of 22.4+/-1.2 cm, being around 1.5 SDS below average; a mean weight of 56.3+/-12.8 kg, head circumference of 55.3+/-2.0 cm and biacromial diameter of 36.5+/-2.0 cm, being around 0 SDS; and finally, biiliacal diameter of 29.5+/-2.2 cm, being 1.4 SDS above average. The average body mass index (BMI) in the study was 26.3+/-5.3 kg/m2. As a group, females with UTS are overweight when compared with a group of "normal" women, with a higher fat mass, a lower lean body mass, but with a comparable amount of total body water (in %). This study presents the first comprehensive reference data on body proportions in the adult UTS. It shows that adult women with the Ullrich-Turner syndrome has a characteristic anthropometric shape. The data should be of use for future evaluations of growth hormone treatment or other growth promoting therapy in the UTS on anthropometric and body composition variables.

Reference values for height, height velocity and weight in Turner's syndrome. Swedish Study Group for GH treatment

As Northern Europeans are currently the tallest people in the world, specific growth charts for girls with Turner's Syndrome from this area are needed. Based on height and weight measurements from 598 girls with Turner's Syndrome (372 from the Netherlands, 108 from Denmark, 118 from Sweden) not treated with growth-promoting substances and without signs of spontaneous puberty, we constructed growth charts for height-for-age, height-velocity-for-age, weight-for-age, weight-for-height and Body Mass Index for age. Reference tables and regression equations for mean and standard deviation are provided allowing calculation of Standard Deviation Scores. The height and height velocity curves show a low birth length, gradual deviation from the normal percentile curves without pubertal growth spurt, and a prolonged growth until the early 20s. Mean adult height was 146.9 +/- 7.8 cm. Mean weight-for-age was lower than in normal reference children but height-adjusted weight was higher, except in infancy and early childhood. Further studies are required on the factors influencing the weight-height relationship in Turner's Syndrome.

Evaluation of methodology for nutritional assessment in children: anthropometry, body composition, and energy expenditure

Nutritional status in children is an indicator of health and well-being at both the individual and the population level. Screening for malnutrition should be an integral part of pediatric care universally. Nutritional intervention requires repeated measurement of nutritional status to assess severity and to track progress over time. Methodological issues in the assessment of nutritional status are reviewed with emphasis on anthropometric measurement, body composition, and energy expenditure of children at risk for malnutrition. Use of reference data, measurement error, maturational effects, and hereditary factors are among the issues reviewed and serve as guidelines in the interpretation of measurement of nutritional status.

Prenatal and postnatal prevalence of Turner's syndrome: a registry study

OBJECTIVE

To study prevalence of Turner's syndrome in Denmark and to assess validity of prenatal diagnosis.

DESIGN

Study of data on prenatal and postnatal Turner's syndrome in Danish Cytogenetic Central Register.

SUBJECTS

All registered Turner's syndrome karyotypes (100 prenatal cases and 215 postnatal cases) during 1970-93.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence of Turner's syndrome karyotypes among prenatally tested fetuses and Turner's syndrome among liveborn infants.

RESULTS

Among infant girls, prevalence of Turner's syndrome was 32/100,000. Among female fetuses tested by amniocentesis, prevalence of Turner's syndrome karyotypes was 176/100,000 (relative risk of syndrome, 6.74 compared with prevalence among untested pregnancies). Among female fetuses tested by chorion villus sampling, prevalence of syndrome karyotypes was 392/100,000 (relative risk, 16.8). We excluded prenatal tests referred because of results of ultrasound scanning: among fetuses tested by amniocentesis revised relative risk was 5.68, while revised relative risk among fetuses tested by chorion villus sampling was 13.3. For 29 fetuses with prenatal diagnosis of possible Turner's syndrome, pregnancy was allowed to continue and 24 children were live born. Thirteen of these children were karyotyped postnatally, and diagnosis of Turner's syndrome had to be revised for eight, seven being normal girls and one boy. This gives tentative predictive value of amniocentesis in diagnosing Turner's syndrome of between 21% and 67%. There was no significant relation between mother's age and risk of Turner's syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Discrepancy between prenatal and postnatal prevalence of Turner's syndrome challenges specificity of prenatal examination in diagnosing Turner's syndrome.

Frequency, clinical and laboratory features of thyroiditis in girls with Turner's syndrome. The Italian Study Group for Turner's Syndrome

A total of 478 patients, mean age 15.5 (3.6-25.3) years, suffering from Turner's syndrome, were studied in order to determine the frequency of autoimmune thyroiditis, which is defined as the presence of antithyroid antibodies (AT-Ab) and typical ultrasound findings. We found 106 (22.2%) patients positive for AT-Ab and of those 49 (10%) also had positive ultrasound findings, and were therefore considered to be affected by thyroiditis. This frequency is significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that seen in the normal population. Goitre was detected on clinical examination in only 16 (33%) and by ultrasound in 19 (39%) patients. Hormonal evaluation showed that 17 patients were euthyroid, 27 had compensated hypothyroidism, 2 were hypothyroid and 3 were in a hyperthyroid phase. Clinical signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism were absent in all hypothyroid patients. In patients with thyroiditis, neither a higher frequency of malformations and autoimmune diseases nor a correlation with karyotype, oestrogens or growth hormone therapy was found.