Current opinion in pediatrics最新文献

Purpose of review: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a relatively common disorder and one of the most challenging conditions seen by pediatric endocrinologists. Poor linear growth in CAH has been recognized for many years. There are new insights to explain this abnormality and shed light on strategies to promote normal growth.

Recent findings: Published data suggest that the dose of hydrocortisone during two critical periods of rapid growth, namely infancy and at puberty, has a fundamental effect on growth velocity, and by definition adult height. To prevent over-treatment, hydrocortisone dosage should remain within the range of 10-15 mg/m 2 body surface area per day. Precursor steroids such as 17-hydroxy progesterone (17OHP) should not be suppressed to undetectable levels. In fact, 17OHP should always be measurable, as complete suppression suggests over-treatment.

Summary: CAH is a challenging disorder. High-quality compliance within the consultation setting, with the patient seeing the same specialist at every visit, will be rewarded by improved long-term growth potential. Quality auxological monitoring can avoid phases of growth suppression. New therapy with CRH receptor antagonists may lead to a more nuanced approach by allowing fine tuning of hydrocortisone replacement without the need to suppress ACTH secretion.

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to describe the existing limited data related to the use of semaglutide in adolescents with obesity, supplementing with findings from adult studies of semaglutide use.

Recent findings: Semaglutide, as a once weekly subcutaneous injection for weight management, effectively reduces body mass index (BMI) while improving hyperglycemia, elevated alanine aminotransferase levels, hyperlipidemia, and quality of life in youth with obesity. As of this review, only one large randomized clinical trial of semaglutide in youth has been completed, with a follow-up duration of 68 weeks. Thus, long-term data on the safety in adolescents is limited, particularly regarding the risks of cholelithiasis, pancreatitis, suicidal ideation, and disordered eating. Due to the cost of semaglutide, particularly in the United States, limited cost effectiveness analyses have demonstrated unfavorable incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for semaglutide relative to phentermine-topiramate as an alternative antiobesity medication in adolescents.

Summary: Semaglutide represents an important advance in the pediatric obesity management, with clear short-term reductions in BMI and improvement in metabolic parameters. However, its long-term safety and efficacy for youth with obesity remain to be demonstrated. Additional research is needed to assess trends in utilization and adherence to minimize the risk of worsening socioeconomic disparities in pediatric obesity.

Purpose of review: Congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) and acquired nevi are prevalent in pediatric populations, with distinct characteristics and management considerations. This chapter aims to equip pediatricians with knowledge to discern between benign and high-risk nevi, facilitating appropriate referrals and management within primary care settings. Risk factors associated with malignant melanoma (MM) underscore the importance of vigilant monitoring and early referral to dermatology for suspicious lesions.

Recent findings: Recent findings highlight the variability in CMN presentation and the evolving diagnostic strategies, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary approaches to optimize patient outcomes.

Summary: Management of CMN involves tailored surveillance and intervention strategies, with an emphasis on early identification of high-risk features for MM and neurocutaneous melanosis (NCM). Pediatricians play a crucial role in advocating for sun protection practices and facilitating timely referrals, thereby contributing to the overall well being of pediatric patients with nevi.

Purpose of review: 21-Hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD), the most common form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by pathogenic variants in CYP21A2 . Although this disorder has been known for several decades, many challenges related to its monitoring and treatment remain to be addressed. The present review is written to describe an overview of biochemical monitoring of this entity, with particular focus on overnight fasting urine pregnanetriol.

Recent findings: We have conducted a decade-long research project to investigate methods of monitoring 21-OHD in children. Our latest studies on this topic have recently been published. One is a review of methods for monitoring 21-OHD. The other was to demonstrate that measuring the first morning PT level may be more practical and useful for biochemical monitoring of 21-OHD. The first morning pregnanetriol (PT), which was previously reported to reflect a long-term auxological data during the prepubertal period, correlated more significantly than the other timing PT in this study, with 17-OHP, before the morning medication.

Summary: In conclusion, although the optimal method of monitoring this disease is still uncertain, the use of overnight fasting urine pregnanetriol (P3) as a marker of 21-OHD is scientifically sound and may be clinically practical.

Purpose of review: The incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children and adolescents has been increased over decades worldwide. Recent studies showed that the trend of T1D incidences were different between developed and underdeveloped countries. This review aimed to summarize the changes of childhood T1D incidences in underdeveloped countries over the past decade.

Recent findings: Majority of the underdeveloped countries lacked of nationwide population-based studies on childhood T1D. We reviewed the trend of childhood T1D in important underdeveloped countries with available data in recent years. The incidences of childhood T1D in underdeveloped countries were low decades ago, but it increased significantly recently, particularly in the sub-Saharan African, Middle East and North African regions.

Summary: The incidences of childhood T1D increased significantly in underdeveloped countries, especially in the sub-Saharan African, Middle East and North African regions. T1D registry and population-based studies are helpful to understand the situation and characteristic of childhood T1D in underdeveloped countries.

Purpose of review: Vulvar skin disease is an underrecognized pediatric condition encompassing a wide range of conditions, from isolated vulvar disease to vulvar manifestations of systemic illnesses. This review highlights the most current research discussing clinical features, risk factors, and treatments.

Recent findings: Recent studies confirm that labial adhesions resolve more quickly with estrogen treatment. Topical corticosteroids remain first-line for treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus, and some procedural interventions are showing promising results. Latest evidence shows efficacy of biologic agents in hidradenitis suppurativa and vulvar Crohn's. Vaginal voiding remains an underrecognized cause of irritant vulvovaginitis. Lately vulvar aphthae have been associated with coronavirus disease 2019. Distinguishing between infantile perianal pyramidal protrusion, molluscum, and condyloma can be aided by differences in morphologic features.

Summary: Vulvar dermatoses have a high impact on children's health and wellbeing. Clinician familiarity with recognition and latest advancements in vulvar dermatoses can aid in prompt diagnosis, management, and appropriate referrals. Vulvar biopsy and vaginal cultures should be used prudently. Treatments include topicals, behavioral modification, systemic medications, and procedures.

Purpose of review: Sleep deprivation is known to affect multiple aspects of mental health, physical health, and daily functioning. With increasing reports of sleep disturbances and increasing mental health needs in adolescents, it is imperative that healthcare providers have a strong understanding of the relationship between sleep and mental health, the impact of poor sleep on the school experience, and an understanding of behavioral interventions targeting sleep practices.

Recent findings: Recent studies have shown that the relationship between sleep and mental health is complex and multifaceted. While mental health diagnoses and symptoms can negatively influence sleep quality and quantity, so too does poor sleep increase the risk of mental health diagnoses, symptom severity, and suicide risk. Sleep likewise affects the school experience, both positively and negatively. Targeted interventions and prevention programs may be effective in treatment of sleep disturbances for adolescents.

Summary: Clinicians must be aware of the above associations and their clinical implications. Patients with either mental health or sleep concerns should be screened for potential co-morbid conditions. Improving sleep hygiene practices can improve the sleep experience in adolescents, however, there remains a gap in understanding the best method to improve sleep hygiene practices in this population.

Purpose of review: This review provides updates on postinfectious skin rashes in the pediatric population from recently published literature.

Recent findings: The COVID-19 pandemic and its sequelae remain a focus of research on pediatric infectious skin rashes. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption (RIME) are common complications of infection with SARS-COV-2 in the pediatric population. Most cases of MIS-C show low mortality and suggest mucocutaneous symptoms do not correlate with COVID-19 disease severity. Cases of papular acrodermatitis of childhood, also known as Gianotti-Crosti, have also been reported in association with SARS-COV-2, and can present similarly in reaction to other viral infection like molluscum contagiosum, known as a Gianotti-Crosti syndrome-like reaction (GCLR). Other relevant studies on postinfectious skin rashes include updates on the management of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS), with newer evidence advocating for beta-lactam monotherapy without clindamycin and reduced ancillary testing. Finally, the emergence of antifungal resistance due to Trichophyton indotinae is a growing global health concern emphasizing the need for improved antifungal stewardship.

Summary: It is prudent for clinicians to be informed of both common and rare diagnoses that have emerged more recently in association with the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to other diseases with newer evidence-based recommendations to guide management.

Purpose of review: To highlight recent advances in the knowledge base surrounding noninfectious causes of alopecia in the pediatric population.

Recent findings: Recent developments in the literature included assessments of treatment efficacy, diagnostic utility of trichoscopy, and retrospective studies characterizing the clinical picture of pediatric cases.

Summary: These findings will equip practitioners with the recent advances in the field's understanding of noninfectious causes of alopecia in the pediatric population.