Thyroid dysfunction has been observed in childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We retrospectively analyzed the thyroid function of 54 CCSs who underwent HSCT and were referred to our endocrinology department at Chiba Children’s Hospital between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2019. Three patients developed autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) after HSCT. Two of these patients had Graves’ disease (GD), and the third had autoimmune thyroiditis. The association between HSCT and AITD remains unclear. All three patients had chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD). AITD was reported to be induced by the transmission of abnormal T or B lymphocyte clones from the donor to the recipient. One patient with GD was treated with a high dose of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG). Some studies have reported that ATG is associated with a risk of severe T cell depletion and GD onset. In conclusion, CCSs who received HSCT rarely developed AITD. We suggest that CCSs treated with ATG and/or experiencing an onset of chronic GVHD should be carefully monitored for thyroid function because it might reveal AITD.

Type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) plays an important role in normal fetal and postnatal growth. Over 30 pathogenic variants of IGF1R have been identified in patients with short stature. Yet, 20 years after the first report, a variety of phenotypes remain poorly defined. We analyzed the genetic and clinical data and responses to GH therapy in 11 patients using results from questionnaires. Eight of the 11 patients have already been reported in previous articles, and all of the identified mutations were heterozygous. The patients exhibited various phenotypes. At least two patients did not meet the criteria for GH treatment for small for gestational age (SGA) short stature, and two more patients showed lower serum IGF1 levels. Nine of the 11 patients had thin upper lips. Five patients with heterozygous IGF1R treated with GH exhibited similar height gains to those reported in previous Japanese studies on SGA short stature, which also led to extremely high serum IGF1 levels. Patients with short stature due to IGF1R mutations exhibit various phenotypes. Their presentation at diagnosis may be indistinguishable from common short stature. More specific clinical scoring that considers elevated IGF1 levels after GH treatment is needed to better detect IGF1R mutations.

This study aimed to analyze the depressive and anxiety states of adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This was a cross-sectional, multicenter, case–control study. A total of 100 participants (PCOS group, 51; control group, 49) aged 13–18 yr were included in the study. Body mass index was higher in patients with PCOS (P = 0.002). In the PCOS group, 28.5% of the patients had moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms, whereas the incidence was lower in controls (8.3%, P = 0.021). The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)-State, STAI-Trait, and physical, psychosocial, and total Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory PedsQL scores were higher in the PCOS group, suggesting that anxiety was more common and the quality of life was worse in patients with PCOS than in healthy participants (P = 0.01, P = 0.03, P = 0.02, P = 0.046, and P = 0.047, respectively). The serum free testosterone (fT) levels were positively correlated with the depression and anxiety scores and negatively correlated with the psychosocial PedsQL scores. In conclusion, adolescent girls diagnosed with PCOS demonstrated higher depressive and anxiety symptoms and lower psychosocial quality of life scores than their healthy counterparts. A relationship was found between the fT level and all psychological measures.

Maternal use of magnesium sulfate has been associated with neonatal hypocalcemia and bone changes. We report the case of a preterm male infant who presented hypercalcemia before developing hypocalcemia after maternal magnesium sulfate therapy. Magnesium sulfate was used for premature rupture of membranes for 32 days, and the patient was delivered at 33 weeks gestation. The cord blood showed ionized calcium 1.54 mmol/L. His serum calcium and magnesium were 11.4 mg/dL and 3.5 mg/dL after birth and fell to 6.6 mg/dL and 2.7 mg/dL at 6 hours, respectively. The intact parathyroid hormone level was 18 pg/mL at 6 h. Radiography showed transverse radiolucent metaphyseal bands of the proximal humerus bone, suggesting disturbance in normal ossification. Transient hypercalcemia before the development of hypocalcemia after maternal magnesium sulfate therapy has not been previously reported. We speculate that maternal long-term magnesium sulfate therapy led to defective ossification and transient hypercalcemia in the offspring. Subsequent hypocalcemia was thought to be due to the inhibition of parathyroid hormone secretion by hypercalcemia and hypermagnesemia.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) are diabetic emergencies. Some patients with a hyperglycemic crisis can present with an overlap of DKA and HHS. The coexistence of DKA and HHS is associated with higher mortality than in isolated DKA and HHS. In addition, electrolyte derangements caused by global electrolyte imbalance are associated with potentially life-threatening complications. Here, we describe three cases of mixed DKA and HHS with severe hypernatremia at the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. All patients had extreme hyperglycemia and hyperosmolarity with acidosis at the onset of diabetes mellitus. They consumed 2 to 3 L/d of high-carbohydrate drinks prior to admission to relieve thirst. They showed severe hypernatremia with renal impairment. Two patients recovered completely without any complications, while one died. Severe hypernatremia with mixed DKA and HHS is rare. However, it may be associated with excess carbohydrate beverage consumption. Reduced physical activity during the COVID19 pandemic and unhealthy eating behaviors worsened the initial presentation of diabetes mellitus. We highlight the impact of lifestyle factors on mixed DKA and HHS.

Congenital nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is a rare disease that causes polydipsia and polyuria, and there are currently no effective treatments for most cases, particularly severe ones. The present report describes the case of a 1-yr-5-mo-old male patient with partial congenital NDI who was successfully treated with oral disintegrating 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP). The patient presented with poor weight gain and polydipsia (fluid, 1.5 L/d) and received a diagnosis of NDI after genetic analysis revealed an AVPR2 mutation (c.383A>C, p.Y128S). His water-restricted urine osmolality increased from 360 mOsm/kg/H₂O to 667 mOsm/kg/H₂O after subcutaneous AVP injection, indicating that he had some urine concentrating ability. Oral disintegrating DDAVP therapy was started at 360 µg/d with hydrochlorothiazide and increased to 720 µg/d without any adverse effects. A 30% decrease in urine output and water intake was followed by an increase in body weight. The present study is the first to report the effectiveness and safety of oral disintegrating DDAVP in a patient with partial congenital NDI due to an AVPR2 gene mutation. The severity of NDI at which DDAVP therapy is the most effective remains to be determined.

For salt-wasting 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD), fludrocortisone (FC) is usually supplemented at 0.05–0.2 mg/d dose. To date, no report has described 21OHD neonates requiring > 0.4 mg/d of FC. Our female 21OHD patient was lethargic and experienced weight loss with hyponatremia (133 mEq/L), hyperkalemia (6.5 mEq/L), and elevated active renin concentration (ARC, 1942.2 pg/mL) at 6 days of life. Hydrocortisone and FC replacement were initiated. FC dose was gradually increased to 0.4 mg/d at 21 days of life, but her hyperkalemia (6.4 mEq/L) and high ARC (372.3 pg/mL) persisted. We increased FC to 0.6 mg/d and used a low-potassium and high-sodium formula. Hyperkalemia subsequently improved. At 33 days of life, the ARC decreased to 0.6 pg/mL and FC dosage was gradually decreased. At 3 months of age, the low-potassium and high-sodium formula was discontinued, but the serum potassium level was normal and ARC remained low at 0.1 mg/d of FC. We speculated that severe mineralocorticoid resistance was the reason why her hyperkalemia persisted even with 0.4 mg/d of FC; however, the pathophysiology of transiently severe resistance to FC in this patient is unknown. In conclusion, 21OHD neonates may show severe salt-wasting that transiently require > 0.4 mg/d of FC.