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Biomedical subjects

C M Hall

Publications and source records attributed to C M Hall.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Relationship between serum and urinary insulin-like growth factor-I through childhood and adolescence: their use in the assessment of disordered growth.

OBJECTIVE: Serum insulin-like growth factor-I (sIGF-I) measurement as an index of growth hormone status has become a common test in the investigation of disordered growth. IGF-I may also be measured in the urine. The aims of this study were to investigate the correlation between serum and urinary IGF-I in normal children and compare their use in the evaluation of growth disorders. DESIGN: Normal ranges for serum and urinary IGF-I were devised from a cross-sectional study of normal schoolchildren. These were then used to assess the sensitivity and specificity of serum and urinary IGF-I in the diagnosis of childhood GH deficiency. PATIENTS: A cohort of 333 (M = 156, F = 177) healthy schoolchildren aged 5-19 years were recruited and data previously collected from 22 growth hormone deficient (GHD) and 47 short normal (SN) children were compared with those of the normal children. MEASUREMENTS: Height, weight and pubertal status were assessed in all children. Serum IGF-I (sIGF-I) (n = 305) and total amount of urinary IGF-I excreted overnight (TuIGF-I) (n = 205) were measured by RIA using excess IGF-II to block the interference of IGFBPs. RESULTS: Serum IGF-I was loge transformed and overall levels (geometric mean +/- 1 tolerance factor) were higher in females than males (F: 569 (329, 985) micrograms/l; M: 398 (227, 696) micrograms/l). LogeIGF-I correlated with age (F: r = +0.76, P < 0.001, M: r = +0.71, P < 0.001) and was significantly affected by both sex and Tanner stage of puberty (TS) (both P < 0.001). The distribution of TuIGF-I was normalized by performing a square root transformation (square root of TuIGF-I). square root of TuIGF-I was correlated with age (F: r = +0.36, P < 0.001; M: r = +0.5, P < 0.001) and was significantly affected by TS (P < 0.001). In both sexes there was a highly significant correlation between logeIGF-I and square root of TuIGF-I (F: r = +0.39, P < 0.001; M: r = +0.41, P < 0.001). Using the third centile of our normal ranges as a cut off to identify GHD, sIGF-I had a sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 62%, whereas TuIGF-I had a sensitivity of 18% and specificity of 79%. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that although urinary IGF-I has no place in the diagnosis of growth disorders, in normal children there is a highly significant relationship between serum and urinary IGF-I with levels of each changing in a similar manner through childhood and adolescence. Thus, TuIGF-I could be used as a valid surrogate for sIGF-I in the physiological assessment of the relationship between IGF-I status and the normal growth process.

Adolescent↗

Constitutional delay in growth and puberty (CDGP) is associated with hypoleptinaemia.

OBJECTIVE: Serum leptin concentrations are higher in early adolescence compared with childhood and may play a facilitatory role in pubertal development. Constitutional delay in growth and puberty (CDGP) is a disorder of the tempo of physical maturation and may be associated with relative hypoleptinaemia. We have therefore compared serum leptin concentrations in normal boys with those in boys exhibiting constitutional delay of growth, controlling for pubertal status, age and body mass index (BMI). PATIENTS: 23 boys with constitutional delay in growth (n = 17, prepubertal) and puberty (n = 6, early pubertal) and 88 normal boys (n = 64 prepubertal, n = 24 Tanner stage 2). MEASUREMENTS: Serum leptin was measured in a single, non-fasted morning serum sample by radioimmunoassay. Using the data from normal boys, leptin standard deviation scores (sds) were calculated, to account for the independent influences of age and body mass index (BMI) sds. Both chronological age and bone age were used in the calculation of leptin sds in those with delay. RESULTS: BMIsds was significantly lower in prepubertal delays compared with controls but was not different in pubertal subjects. Leptin concentrations were higher in early puberty compared with prepuberty (P < 0.001) in normal boys but were not significantly elevated in pubertal boys with delay compared with prepubertal delays. Although leptin sds, for both chronological age and bone age, was similar in prepubertal controls and delays, it was significantly lower in the pubertal delay group (P < 0.05). In controls leptin sds did not correlate with age. However, in delays leptin sds was negatively correlated with both chronological age (r = - 0.43, P < 0.05) and bone age (r = - 0.68, P < 0.01), indicating that in the older delays leptin levels were lower than expected given their age and BMIsds. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that significantly higher leptin levels in Tanner stage 2 compared with prepuberty are not a prerequisite for progression into puberty. However, the absence of elevated leptin concentrations may be associated with delayed puberty in boys.

Biomarkers↗

A new syndrome of spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia, eczema and hypogammaglobulinaemia.

We describe a female infant with a combination of very short stature, severe eczema and IgG deficiency causing recurrent infections in infancy. The radiological features of this condition are presented in the neonatal period, at the age of 5 months and at 2 years and 6 months. We propose that this condition is a previously undescribed type of spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia.

Agammaglobulinemia↗

Craniometadiaphyseal dysplasia, wormian bone type.

We report on a 4-year-old boy with craniometadiaphyseal dysplasia (CMDD), wormian bone type. Component manifestations include a large head with prominent forehead, skull changes showing multiple wormian bones, wide long tubular bones without the usual metaphyseal flare, wide and short tubular bones without the normal diaphyseal constriction, and wide ribs and clavicles. In addition to these findings, the propositus, his brother, his father, and a paternal aunt all have parietal protuberances, which seem not related to CMDD. Parental consanguineity supports the autosomal recessive transmission of the condition.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Spondylometaphyseal dysplasia-Sedaghatian type.

We present the radiological findings in two unrelated cases with spondylometaphyseal dysplasia type Sedaghatian. We review the literature and identify additional anomalies including disproportionately long fibulae, dysharmonious maturation and turricephaly.

Bone and Bones↗

Costochondral junction fractures and intra-abdominal trauma in non-accidental injury (child abuse).

Rib fractures are a common skeletal manifestation of non-accidental injury (NAI) in infants and young children and are generally considered to be highly specific for abuse. There are, however, relatively few descriptions of fractures involving the costochondral junctions in NAI. We present three children (two boys, one girl; 7, 18, and 36 months of age) with anterior rib fractures which involved the sixth to ninth costochondral junctions. The fractures were bilateral in two children and symmetrical in one. They had appearances analogous to 'bucket handle' metaphyseal fractures of long bones. They were difficult to visualise and healed with minimal callus formation. These fractures were associated with major abdominal visceral injuries, which in themselves carry a significant morbidity and mortality. The importance of recognising such fractures is highlighted.

Abdominal Injuries↗

The feet in Pfeiffer's syndrome.

Broad toes are the classic clinical finding occurring in the feet in Pfeiffer's syndrome patients, but few cases undergo formal radiological assessment. However, the feet in other craniosynostosis syndromes resulting from mutations of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene have anomalies at many other sites within the feet, which raised the possibility that there may also be a wider range of anomalies other than broad big toes in the feet of those with Pfeiffer's syndrome. The object of this study was to assess prospectively the incidence and pattern of clinical and radiographic anomalies of the feet of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Pfeiffer's syndrome. Twenty-two Pfeiffer's syndrome patients were examined both clinically and radiologically for anomalies of the feet. Clinical examination revealed broad big toes in 12 patients and syndactyly in 2. Radiographs of the feet were evaluated by a radiologist with an interest in skeletal dysplasia as well as by members of the Craniofacial team. A wider range of radiological than clinical anomalies involving the phalanges, metatarsals, and tarsals was seen. The severity of the anomalies observed ranged from normal to those resembling the feet of Apert's syndrome patients. Only 4 patients had radiologically normal feet. These radiographic findings suggest that there is a range of foot anomalies more extensive than the broad big toes, which are classically associated with Pfeiffer's syndrome.

Acrocephalosyndactylia↗

The elbow in syndromic craniosynostosis.

Craniosynostosis may occur in conjunction with limb and visceral anomalies in more than 100 syndromes and may include anomalies of the elbow. Apert's, Pfeiffer's, Crouzon's, and Saethre-Chotzen syndrome have been linked with anomalies of the elbow, but the incidence and severity of such anomalies is unknown. A prospective radiographic study was undertaken to establish the types, incidence, and severity of elbow anomalies in patients with either Apert's, Pfeiffer's, Crouzon's, or Saethre-Chotzen syndrome attending the Craniofacial Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital during a 12-month period. This study showed that elbow anomalies were very common in Apert's and Pfeiffer's syndrome, but less so in Crouzon's syndrome. The elbows in all patients with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome were normal. A range of anomalies was seen, with overlap between the syndromes. The severest anomaly seen in children with Crouzon's, Pfeiffer's, and Apert's syndrome was complete synostosis, which may require surgical intervention in due course. The results of this study suggest that the incidence of elbow anomalies in Apert's, Pfeiffer's, and Crouzon's syndrome is higher than the current literature suggests. Synostosis can be so severe that orthopedic review as part of the management of these children may be beneficial and may become increasingly important as more of these children survive into adulthood.

Acrocephalosyndactylia↗

A distinct form of spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia with multiple dislocations.

Three unrelated patients with identical radiological features are presented. Hypotonia was noted at birth and one patient was diagnosed as having congenital fibre type disproportion in the neonatal period. Later muscle biopsies, however, were entirely normal. All patients, now in their teens and twenties, are of normal intelligence, show striking epiphyseal and metaphyseal changes of the long bones, and have joint laxity and multiple dislocations of large joints, which are particularly incapacitating at the knees. These three cases represent a sporadic, previously unreported skeletal dysplasia with spondyloepimetaphyseal distribution and multiple large joint dislocations.

Adolescent↗

Maternal systemic lupus erythematosus and chondrodysplasia punctata in two sibs: phenocopy or coincidence?

Two sibs with chondrodysplasia punctata in whom the mother was suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus are presented and the radiological features described. Comparison with other forms of chondrodysplasia punctata with a review of the relevant publications is presented and the possible association with maternal systemic lupus erythematosus is highlighted.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

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Aged↗

Non-accidental injury or brittle bones.

When a child presents with one or more unexplained fractures, non-accidental injury (NAI) should be considered in the differential diagnosis. This article reviews some of the other differential diagnoses, particularly osteogenesis imperfecta and the alleged "temporary brittle bone disease".

Accidents↗

Hand anomalies in Crouzon syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To review the hand radiographs of patients with Crouzon syndrome, to look for extracranial manifestations of the condition at this site. DESIGN: The hand radiographs of those with Crouzon syndrome attending the Craniofacial Service at Great Ormond Street between 1985 and 1996 were reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients underwent a total of 34 radiographs, one patient having had a serial study. This revealed a range of minor anomalies. Most striking was the presence of carpal fusions in four cases, a feature which has not previously been reported. CONCLUSION: The hands of Crouzon syndrome may have anomalies including carpal fusions, and these results are evidence that the condition may produce subtle effects on the hands.

Adolescent↗