OBJECTIVE:Adiposity rebound is the first rise in BMI that occurs after the initial decrease during infancy. Early adiposity rebound, before age 5, is a risk factor for later obesity and metabolic problems. We investigated adiposity rebound in children with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (CAH). DESIGN:Longitudinal observational registry study. METHODS:Height, weight, and BMI from patients younger than 20 years in the I-CAH Registry was described by non-linear mixed-effects models. Covariates of glucocorticoid dose, mineralocorticoid dose, 17-Hydroxyprogesterone were assessed on growth and bone age. RESULTS:A total of 10 261 visits within 573 patients (43.6% male) showed significant variation in age at latest peak height velocity [8.4 years (SD = 3.0) in boys; 9.0 years (SD = 1.6) in girls]. Peak height velocity was more blunted in boys [7.7 cm/year (SD = 1.4)] than girls [7.4 cm/year (SD = 1.3)] in comparison to normative values. Adiposity rebound occurred earlier than age 5 years in 82% of the cohort, mean age 3.7 years (SD = 1.3) in boys and 3.9 years (SD = 0.9) in girls. Girls prescribed higher doses of glucocorticoid were associated with heavier weight in adolescence and earlier adiposity rebound. Bone age was increasingly advanced in those prescribed higher doses in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS:There is a large variation in the timing of adiposity rebound and SITAR-estimated latest peak height velocity in children with CAH. In addition to identifying individuals with CAH who may be at risk of adverse cardiometabolic outcomes these metrics may serve as early surrogate outcomes in future research investigating early-life treatment strategies.
OBJECTIVES:Automated insulin delivery (AID) improves glycaemic outcomes in children and young people (CYP) with type 1 diabetes (T1D), but effects on body weight are less clear. We evaluated longitudinal changes in BMI z-score following AID initiation and examined predictors using mixed-effects modelling. METHODS:We retrospectively studied 170 CYP with T1D starting AID at a tertiary centre. BMI z-score was assessed at baseline, six, and twelve months. Predictors of six-month BMI change (ΔBMI) included demographic, socioeconomic, and glycaemic variables with sensor-weighted glucose metrics. RESULTS:Baseline BMI z-score was 0.75 (SD 1.27), rising to 0.90 at six months (p<0.001) and stable at twelve (p=0.851 vs. six). Increases occurred in underweight (+1.12, 95 % CI 0.61-1.62, p<0.001) and below-average healthy weight (+0.38, 95 % CI 0.20-0.57, p<0.001), with minimal change in overweight or obese groups. Mixed-effects modelling identified baseline BMI z-score (B = -0.14, p<0.001), baseline mean blood glucose (MBG; B = +0.07, p<0.001), and their interaction (B = -0.04, p=0.025) as independent predictors. Age, sex, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, therapy type, HbA1c, and sensor wear were not significant. Across groups, AID increased time in range by 15-17 % and reduced HbA1c by 6 mmol/mol without increasing hypoglycaemia. CONCLUSIONS:AID supports weight restoration in underweight CYP while maintaining stability in overweight or obese groups. BMI change is determined by baseline BMI and MBG, independent of demographic or treatment factors.
Background: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) affects approximately 1 in 15 000 individuals. We leveraged the power of multicentre registry data to assess the trend and predictors of blood pressure (BP) within children and young persons with 21OHD to inform monitoring strategies. Method: Data from the International CAH Registry in patients younger than 20 years was compared to normative values. Values of BP were modeled to create reference curves, multiple change point analysis applied to quantify the difference with normative data. Covariate adjustment was informed by a directed acyclic graph, prior to joint outcome regression modeling to accurately assess predictors of BP. Results: A total of 6436 visits within 554 patients (52.5% females) showed BP-Standard deviation scores (SDS) were higher at younger ages. Patients under five years had systolic BP-SDS of 1.6 (Q1:0.6-Q3:2.7) decreasing to 1.0 (Q1:0.2-Q3:1.8) over 5 years, equating to 31.0% over the 95th centile decreasing to 15.0%. Higher doses of fludrocortisone were associated with a small increase in systolic BP equivalent to 1.2 mmHg with every 100 g extra fludrocortisone. Renin of 100 U/mL was associated with 4.6 mmHg lower systolic BP than a renin of 1 U/ mL, higher 17OH-progesterone and androstenedione also predicted lower systolic and diastolic BP (P < .05). Conclusion: Higher BP in children with 21OHD is common and particularly pronounced at a younger age, but may not be attributable to excessive mineralocorticoid replacement. There is a need to improve our understanding of the determinants of this raised BP as well as its long-term effects. The Author(s) 2025.
BACKGROUND:Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) affects approximately 1 in 15 000 individuals. We leveraged the power of multicentre registry data to assess the trend and predictors of blood pressure (BP) within children and young persons with 21OHD to inform monitoring strategies. METHOD:Data from the International CAH Registry in patients younger than 20 years was compared to normative values. Values of BP were modeled to create reference curves, multiple change point analysis applied to quantify the difference with normative data. Covariate adjustment was informed by a directed acyclic graph, prior to joint outcome regression modeling to accurately assess predictors of BP. RESULTS:A total of 6436 visits within 554 patients (52.5% females) showed BP-Standard deviation scores (SDS) were higher at younger ages. Patients under five years had systolic BP-SDS of 1.6 (Q1:0.6-Q3:2.7) decreasing to 1.0 (Q1:0.2-Q3:1.8) over 5 years, equating to 31.0% over the 95th centile decreasing to 15.0%. Higher doses of fludrocortisone were associated with a small increase in systolic BP equivalent to 1.2 mmHg with every 100 µg extra fludrocortisone. Renin of 100µU/mL was associated with 4.6 mmHg lower systolic BP than a renin of 1µU/mL, higher 17OH-progesterone and androstenedione also predicted lower systolic and diastolic BP (P < .05). CONCLUSION:Higher BP in children with 21OHD is common and particularly pronounced at a younger age, but may not be attributable to excessive mineralocorticoid replacement. There is a need to improve our understanding of the determinants of this raised BP as well as its long-term effects.
Background: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) leads to impaired glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid synthesis with excess production of androgens. Replication of the normal circadian cortisol secretion is challenging and supraphysiological doses of glucocorticoids are often required. Most patients experience transient episodes of hyper- and hypocortisolaemia during the day leading to adverse metabolic outcomes such as insulin resistance, visceral adiposity, and cardiovascular morbidity, including hypertension. These health problems are commonly diagnosed in adolescence and adulthood. Summary: Herein, we review the published data on the variation in blood pressure in CAH due to 21OHD and the interrelation with disease and treatment factors. Key Messages: Hypertension in childhood is a well-known risk factor for poor cardiovascular health in later life. Children with CAH have a higher prevalence of hypertension, which is more commonly transient. The prevalence is higher at younger ages, while relatively fewer patients remain hypertensive in adolescence, requiring antihypertensive treatment. Most studies suggest, transient hypertension in early childhood is associated with mineralocorticoid replacement; however, its direct association with adverse cardiovascular and metabolic outcome is not well established. There is insufficient evidence to support a relationship between hypertension and either glucocorticoid dose or salt supplementation in infancy. Androgen excess has been suggested as a possible reason for the absence of gender dimorphism in the incidence of hypertension and cardiovascular risks in CAH. There is no conclusive evidence for a direct association between hypertension and hyperandrogenism or insulin resistance. Increased carotid intima media thickness is commonly found in children with CAH and is thought to be driven by increased blood pressure.
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare orphan disease and complex genetic neurodevelopmental disorder, with a birth incidence of approximately 1 in 10,000-30,000. Management of people with PWS requires a multi-disciplinary approach, ideally through a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) clinic with community support. Hypotonia, poor feeding and faltering growth are characteristic features in the neonatal period, followed by hyperphagia and risk of rapid weight gain later in childhood. Children and adolescents (CA) with PWS usually display developmental delay and mild learning disability and can develop endocrinopathies, scoliosis, respiratory difficulties (both central and obstructive sleep apnoea), challenging behaviours, skin picking, and mental health issues, especially into adulthood. This consensus statement is intended to be a reference document for clinicians managing children and adolescents (up to 18 years of age) with PWS. It considers the bio-psycho-social domains of diagnosis, clinical assessment, and management in the paediatric setting as well as during and after transition to adult services. The guidance has been developed from information gathered from peer-reviewed scientific reports and from the expertise of a range of experienced clinicians in the United Kingdom and Ireland involved in the care of patients with PWS.