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Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) assistance on glycemic control in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in earthquake-affected regions, comparing those who benefited from CGM with those who did not. Additionally, the study assessed changes in CGM metrics over nine months of CGM use., Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted across 11 centers in Türkiye. Children with T1D were divided into two groups: those who received CGM support (CGM+) and those who continued with finger-stick glucose monitoring (CGM-). HbA1c levels were measured at four intervals: pre-earthquake, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, and 9-12 months post-earthquake. In the second phase, CGM metrics were analyzed over 90-day intervals in the CGM+ group with at least 85% sensor usage., Results: A total of 532 children were included. Median HbA1c levels decreased from 9.1% pre-earthquake to 8.8% 3-6 months post-earthquake (p=0.027). In the CGM+ group, HbA1c levels significantly decreased from 8.8% to 8.3% (p<0.001), while no significant change was observed in the CGM- group. Of the 412 subjects with access to CGM reports, 105 (25.4%) had less than 85% sensor usage and were excluded. In the remaining 307 patients, there was a significant increase in active sensor time and daily glucose measurements, along with a reduction in hypoglycemia frequency over the 90-day intervals (p<0.001 for all three)., Conclusion: CGM assistance improved glycemic control in children with T1D, even under the challenging conditions of the earthquake. These findings highlight the need for broader access to CGM devices to enhance diabetes management.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by the deficiency of one of the enzymes involved in cortisol synthesis. Between 90% and 99% of cases of CAH are caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) caused by mutations in CYP21A2. Although 21OHD has been historically divided into classical and non-classical forms, it is now thought to show a continuous phenotype. In the classical form, the external genitalia in females becomes virilized to varying degrees. If the disease is not recognized, salt wasting crises in the classical form may threaten life in neonates. Children experience accelerated somatic growth, increased bone age, and premature pubic hair in the simple virilizing form of classical 21OHD. Female adolescents may present with severe acne, hirsutism, androgenic alopecia, menstrual irregularity or primary amenorrhea in the non-classical form. Diagnosis of CAH is made by clinical, biochemical and molecular genetic evaluation. In cases of 21OHD, the diagnosis is based on the 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) level being above 1000 ng/dL, measured early in the morning. In cases with borderline 17OHP levels (200-1000 ng/dL), it is recommended to perform an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. Genotyping in cases with CAH should be performed if the adrenocortical profile is suspicious or if the ACTH stimulation test cannot be performed completely. After diagnosis, determining the carrier status of the parents and determining which parent the mutation was passed on from will help in interpreting the genetic results and determining the risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by the deficiency of one of the enzymes involved in cortisol synthesis. More than 95% of the cases occur as a result of defects in the gene encoding 21-hydroxylase (CYP21A2). 21 hydroxylase deficiency has been divided into classical and non-classical forms. In the treatment of classical CAH, it is necessary to replace both glucocorticoid (GC) and mineralocorticoid hormones to prevent salt wasting crisis and reduce excessive corticotropin. In addition to biochemical measurements to evaluate the adequacy of GC and mineralocorticoid treatment; growth rate, body weight, blood pressure and physical examination should be evaluated regularly. There is insufficient data regarding the use of continuous slow-release or modified-release hydrocortisone (HC) preparations and continuous subcutaneous HC infusion, additional/alternative treatment approaches, and cell-based therapies and gene editing technology in children with CAH. GC therapy is recommended in children with inappropriately early onset and rapidly progressing pubarche or accelerated bone age progression, and in adolescents with NCCAH who have overt virilization. In patients with non-classical CAH, stress doses of HC is recommended for major surgery, trauma, or childbirth but only if the patient has a suboptimal cortisol response to the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) test. Here, members of the 'Adrenal Working Group' of 'The Turkish Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes' present an evidence-based review with good practice points and recommendations for optimize treatment, and follow-up of children with CAH due to 21 hydroxylase deficiency in the light of the most recent evidence.

Objective: Craniopharyngiomas (CPG) have complex treatment challenges due to their proximity to vital structures, surgical and radiotherapeutic complexities, and the tendency for recurrence. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of endocrine and metabolic comorbidities observed during initial diagnosis and long-term follow-up in a nationwide cohort of pediatric CPG patients. A further aim was to highlight the difficulties associated with CPG management., Methods: Sixteen centers entered CPG patients into the ÇEDD NET data system. The clinical and laboratory characteristics at presentation, administered treatments, accompanying endocrine, metabolic, and other system involvements, and the patient’s follow-up features were evaluated., Results: Of the 152 evaluated patients, 64 (42.1%) were female. At presentation, the mean age was 9.1±3.67, ranging from 1.46 to 16.92, years. The most common complaints at presentation were headache (68.4%), vision problems (42%), short stature (15%), and nausea and vomiting (7%). The surgical procedures were gross total resection (GTR) in 97 (63.8%) and subtotal resection in 55 (36.2%). Radiotherapy (RT) was initiated in 11.8% of the patients. Histopathological examination reported 92% were adamantinamatous type and 8% were papillary type. Postoperatively, hormone abnormalities consisted of thyroid-stimulating hormone (92.1%), adrenocorticotropic hormone (81%), antidiuretic hormone (79%), growth hormone (65.1%), and gonadotropin (43.4%) deficiencies. Recombinant growth hormone treatment (rhGH) was initiated in 27 (17.8%). The study showed hesitancy among physicians regarding rhGH. The median survival without relapse was 2.2 years. Median (range) time of relapse was 1.82 (0.13-10.35) years. Relapse was related to longer followups and reduced GTR rates. The median follow-up time was 3.13 years. Among the last follow-up visits, the prevalence of obesity was 38%, but of these, 46.5% were already obese at diagnosis. However, 20% who were not obese at baseline became obese on follow-up. Permanent visual impairment was observed in 26 (17.1%), neurological deficits in 13 (8.5%) and diabetes mellitus in 5 (3.3%) patients., Conclusion: Recurrence was predominantly due to incomplete resection and the low rate of postoperative RT. Challenges emerged for multidisciplinary regular follow ups. It is suggested that early interventions, such as dietary restrictions and increased exercise to prevent obesity, be implemented., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: Three authors of this article, Damla Gökşen, Korcan Demir, Samim Özen, are member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology. However, they did not take part in any stage of the editorial decision of the manuscript. The editors who evaluated this manuscript are from different institutions. The other authors declared no conflict of interest., (©Copyright 2024 by Turkish Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes / The Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology published by Galenos Publishing House.)

Objective: Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) occurs due to mutations in genes involved in pancreatic beta cell function and insulin secretion, has heterogeneous clinical and laboratory features, and account for 1-5% of all diabetes cases. The prevalence and distribution of MODY subtypes vary between countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and laboratory characteristics, mutation distribution, and phenotype-genotype relationship in a large case series of pediatric Turkish patients genetically diagnosed with MODY., Methods: MODY cases from 14 different pediatric endocrinology departments were included. Diagnosis, treatment, follow-up data, and results of genetic analysis were evaluated., Results: A total of 224 patients were included, of whom 101 (45%) were female, and the mean age at diagnosis was 9.4±4.1 years. Gene variant distribution was: 146 (65%) GCK; 43 (19%) HNF1A ; 8 (3.6%) HNF4A , 8 (3.6%) KLF11 and 7 (3.1%) HNF1B . The remaining 12 variants were: PDX (n=1), NEUROD1 (n=3), CEL (n=1), INS (n=3), ABCC8 (n= 3) and KJNC11 (n=1). Of the cases, 197 (87.9%) were diagnosed with incidental hyperglycemia, 16 with ketosis (7%) and 7 (3%) with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), while 30% presented with classical symptoms of diabetes. Two-hundred (89%) had a family history of diabetes. Anti-GAD antibody was detected in 13 cases, anti-islet antibody in eight and anti-insulin antibody in four. Obesity was present in 16. Distribution of therapy was: 158 (71%) diet only; 23 (11%) intensive insulin treatment; 17 (7.6%) sulfonylureas; 10 (4.5%) metformin; and 6 (2.7%) insulin and oral anti-diabetic treatment., Conclusion: This was the largest genetically diagnosed series from Turkey. The most common gene variants were GCK and HNF1A with much lower proportions for other MODY types. Hyperglycemia was the most common presenting symptom while 11% of patients had diabetes-associated autoantibodies and 7% were obese. The majority of patients received dietary management only., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: None declared., (©Copyright 2024 by Turkish Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes / The Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology published by Galenos Publishing House.)

Objective: With the diagnosis of chronic illness in children, a stressful period is likely to begin for both the affected child and their families. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting chronic disease management by the parents of children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM)., Methods: The sample consisted of 110 children, aged between 4-17 years and their mothers. The patients had been diagnosed with T1DM for at least one year, and had attended pediatric endocrinology outpatients or were hospitalized in a single center. First, sociodemographic information about the child with T1DM were obtained. Then, the “Family Management Measure” (FaMM) was applied. The FaMM is constructed to measure family functioning and management in families who have a child with a chronic illness., Results: Paternal years of education (p=0.036), family income (p=0.008), insulin pump use (p=0.011), and time elapsed after diagnosis (p=0.048) positively affected both the management of T1DM and the child’s daily life. However, presence of chronic diseases in addition to T1DM (p=0.004) negatively affected diabetes management. Higher maternal education year (p=0.013) and family income level (p=0.001) increased parental mutuality scores. However, as the time after diagnosis increased, parental mutuality scores decreased., Conclusion: It is important to evaluate the child with chronic disease with a biopsychosocial approach. This approach aims to evaluate the problems of the child and his/her family who experience the disease with a holistic approach., (©Copyright 2023 by Turkish Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes | The Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology published by Galenos Publishing House.)