Published papers

Context: Adrenal crisis (AC) is a life-threatening complication that occurs during follow-up of patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI). No prospective study has thoroughly investigated AC in children with primary and secondary AI. Objective: This work aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors for AC in patients with pediatric-onset AI. Methods: This multicenter, prospective cohort study conducted in Japan enrolled patients diagnosed with AI at age ≤15 years. The incidence of AC was calculated as events per person-year (PY), and risk factors for AC were assessed using Poisson regression multivariable analysis. Results: The study population comprised 349 patients (164 male, 185 female) with a total follow-up of 961 PY. The median age at enrollment was 14.3 years (interquartile range [IQR] 8.5-21.2 years), and the median follow-up was 2.8 years (IQR 2.2-3.3 years). Of these patients, 213 (61%) had primary AI and 136 (39%) had secondary AI. Forty-one AC events occurred in 31 patients during the study period. The calculated incidence of AC was 4.27 per 100 PY (95% CI, 3.15-5.75). Poisson regression analysis identified younger age at enrollment (relative risk [RR] 0.93; 95% CI, 0.89-0.97) and increased number of infections (RR 1.17; 95% CI, 1.07-1.27) as significant risk factors. Female sex (RR 0.99; 95% CI, 0.53-1.86), primary AI (RR 0.65; 95% CI, 0.30-1.41), or equivalent dosage of hydrocortisone per square meter of body area (RR 1.02; 95% CI, 0.96-1.08) was not a significant risk factor. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of patients with pediatric-onset AI experience AC. Younger age and an increased number of infections are independent risk factors for developing AC in these patients.

Central nervous system germ cell tumors (CNSGCTs) are rare neoplasms which usually develop in the midline structures. They are occasionally involved in off-midline structures of the brain. Here, we report an extremely rare case of an intracranial germinoma in the lateral ventricle. The patient was a 10-year-old boy with a 1-year history of polydipsia and polyuria. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a relatively homogeneously enhancing lesion in the lateral ventricle, and the posterior pituitary gland was not hyperintense on T1-weighted imaging. Subependymoma was suspected, and tumor removal operation was performed; however, because the intraoperative pathological investigation revealed germinoma, we could only perform partial removal of the tumor. Postoperative histology also confirmed germinoma. Then, the patient received chemotherapy, followed by radiation therapy. MRI showed no recurrence for 6 years after treatment. Intracranial germinoma in the lateral ventricle is extremely rare. The diagnosis is occasionally challenging, especially when the tumors are located in atypical locations. This paper presents a literature review of previously described CNSGCTs of the lateral ventricle to improve awareness of CNSGCTs in atypical locations. We also consider the relationship between imaging findings and clinical manifestations.

Less-invasive diagnostic approaches for low-birthweight preterm neonates with suspected differences of sex development have not been established. Herein, we describe our diagnostic approaches for a 297-g neonate with ambiguous genitalia. Using a fiberscope, the external genitalia were inspected in an incubator to minimize the risk of hypothermia and infection. Endotracheal aspirate, collected during routine care, was used for genetic testing to avoid anemia and vital signs fluctuations caused by peripheral blood sampling. Array comparative genomic hybridization indicated a 46,XY karyotype. No pathogenic variants of AR and SRD5A2 were found. Endocrinological data could not be evaluated owing to the absence of reference data. Identification and structural evaluation of the internal genitalia and gonads were difficult. On postnatal day 42, the parents assigned their baby's sex as male. Our less-invasive diagnostic approaches of inspection and genetic testing are useful for management, including sex assignment in extremely low-birthweight preterm neonates with ambiguous genitalia.

Background: During 1978-1981 the Japanese Standards Association conducted a national survey to collect 64 distinct body measurements for Japanese children and adults. During 1978-1981, the prevalence of childhood obesity was relatively low yet the population was well nourished in Japanese children. The aim of this study is to construct waist circumference and waist circumference to stature ratio reference centile curves for Japanese preschool children. Methods: We utilized 1978-1981 national survey data on body sizes. There are 4937 boys and 4758 girls age 0-6 years for waist circumference measurements. Waist circumference was measured at the level of the umbilicus. Using LMS method, centile curves were constructed for waist circumference and waist circumference to stature ratio. These reference values were compared with those of Dutch, Swedish and Turkish children. Results: Centile reference curves were made for clinical and epidemiological use. Japanese children had smaller waist circumference centile values as compared to waist circumference measured at the midpoint of the lowest rib cage and the iliac crest of Dutch, Swedish and Turkish children. However, Japanese children had comparable waist circumference to stature ratio centile values to those of Dutch and Turkish children. Conclusions: This study presents the first age-, sex-, and ethnicity-specific reference values for waist circumference and waist circumference to stature ratio in Japanese preschool children.

Pallister–Hall syndrome (PHS) is defined as a group of characteristic manifestations caused by a monoallelic GLI3 pathogenic variant. A two-month-old infant was referred to our institution because of undetermined sex. The infant had atypical genitalia with postaxial polysyndactyly, a hypothalamic mass, and an imperforate anus. We identified a known pathogenic variant of the GLI3 gene within one week and diagnosed the infant with PHS. The parents assigned the infant as male, considering the 46,XY karyotype, normal testosterone secretion, possible male identity, and the natural history of PHS. In infants with atypical genitalia and other malformations, such as polydactyly, a hypothalamic mass, or an imperforate anus, rapid GLI3 testing may provide information for planning lifelong management, including sex assignment.

Introduction: Atrophic autoimmune thyroiditis (AAT) is a form of autoimmune hypothyroidism characterized by the absence of a goiter. Thyroid stimulation-blocking antibody (TSBAb) has been detected in a subset of pediatric AAT cases. Although the disappearance of TSBAb has been related with the recovery of thyroid function in adult AAT cases, similar outcomes have not been documented in pediatric cases. Case Presentation: A 2-year-old Japanese boy presented for evaluation of stunted growth from1 year 10 months of age. Tests for congenital hypothyroidism were negative on newborn screening, and he had no significant medical history. However, he showed symptoms of hypothyroidism (inactiveness, hair loss, dry skin), and primary hypothyroidism was confirmed by blood test (serum TSH level, 818 mU/L; serum free T4 level, <0.40 ng/ dL). The patient exhibited a unique antibody profile: positive for TSH receptor antibody (TRAb) and TSBAb and negative for anti-thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) and antiperoxidase antibody (TPOAb). He was treated with levothyroxine, after which his growth was normalized. During the 8-year follow-up, the patient's TSBAb levels decreased, allowing for the discontinuation of levothyroxine therapy. Conclusion: We reported the case of a 2-year-old boy diagnosed with AAT who presented with a characteristic antibody profile, negative for TgAb and TPOAb, but positive for TRAb and TSBAb. During 8 years of follow-up, TSBAb seroconversion to negative was observed, leading to treatment discontinuation at age 10 years. This case suggests that monitoring of TSBAb after a diagnosis of AAT may be used to determine treatment discontinuation even in children.

Objectives: To establish age-specific reference values for the arm span and arm span/height ratio of the Japanese population in children and adolescence and elucidate their characteristics compared with those of other populations. Study Design: We analyzed data from a national survey on the body sizes of Japanese people conducted between 1992 and 1994 by the Research Institute of Human Engineering for Quality Life. This study was an observational cross-sectional study, including 6089 boys and 4970 girls aged between 5.5 and 18.5 years. We constructed the reference values and delineated the reference curves for the arm span and arm span/height ratio of the Japanese population in childhood and adolescence using the LMS method. The references were compared with those of the Dutch and Turkish populations using the reference curve of 0 standard deviation. Results: The arm span of the Japanese population increased throughout childhood, with a particularly large increase at the age of puberty. The arm span/height ratio also increased slowly throughout childhood. The Japanese population had a smaller arm span/height ratio than the Dutch and Turkish populations of all ages in childhood and adolescence. Moreover, the arm span/height ratio of the Japanese population reached a constant value at an earlier age than in the Dutch and Turkish populations. Conclusions: We constructed the first reference values for the arm span of Japanese children and adolescents. The Japanese population has shorter arm lengths in relation to their height, and their arm span/height ratio reaches a constant value at an earlier age, compared with the Dutch and Turkish populations.

Disorders of sex development (DSD) with mild external genital abnormalities may be diagnosed after puberty. Here, we report a case of 46,XY complete gonadal dysgenesis with a novel missense variant in sex-determining region Y (SRY), diagnosed after primary amenorrhea. A 15-yr-old patient presented to our gynecology department with a chief complaint of amenorrhea. The patient was diagnosed with a 46,XY karyotype, and SRY gene positivity. Gonadotropin levels were high, whereas testosterone levels were low. A pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a hypoplastic uterus; however, no gonads could be identified. Laparoscopy revealed bilateral streak gonads, fallopian tube-like structures, and the uterus. The gonads were removed based on the risk of gonadal malignancy. Comprehensive genetic analysis of DSD revealed a previously unreported SRY variant, c.271A>T, p.Ser91Cys, and in silico analysis predicted the variant to be pathogenic. The patient was diagnosed with 46,XY complete gonadal dysgenesis with a novel missense variant in SRY. The patient continued female hormone replacement therapy and experienced breast enlargement and cyclic menstruation. Determining the etiology of DSD can be difficult, causing anxiety in patients and their families. In addition to surgical scrutiny, genetic analysis is important to aid in diagnosis and reassure patients and their families.