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Biomedical subjects

Anurag Bajpai

Publications and source records attributed to Anurag Bajpai.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Insulin like growth factors axis and growth disorders.

The growth hormone-insulin like growth factor (GH-IGF) axis plays a crucial role in the regulation of growth. Initially considered to be a mediator of growth hormone actions, IGF axis has been established as an independent endocrine system with wide array of actions. Recent advances have led to tremendous increase in the clinical utility of the IGF axis. IGF-based investigations (IGF1 and IGF binding protein 3) are now replacing GH-based investigations for evaluation and monitoring of disorders of the GH-IGF axis. IGF therapy has been successfully utilized in growth hormone insensitivity syndrome and GHD type 1B. The possibility of IGF axis as therapeutic options is being explored in wide variety of disorders like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, Alzheimer's disease and psoriasis.

Body Height↗

Combination growth hormone and gonadotropin releasing hormone analog therapy in 11beta-hydroxylase deficiency.

Diagnosis of 11beta-hydroxylase deficiency was made in a boy at the age of 2 1/2 years on the basis of peripheral precocious puberty, growth acceleration (height standard deviation score +4.4) with advanced skeletal maturation (bone age 8.4 years) and elevated deoxycortisol levels. Glucocorticoid supplementation led to normalization of blood pressure but was associated with progression to central precocious puberty and increase in bone age resulting in decrease in predicted adult height to 133.7 cm (target height 163 cm). The child was started on GnRH analog (triptorelin 3.75 mg every 28 days), which led to improvement in predicted adult height by 3.1 cm over 15 months. Addition of growth hormone (0.1 IU/kg/day) resulted in improvement in predicted adult height (151 cm) and height deficit (12 cm) over the next 3.6 years. Final height (151 cm) exceeded predicted height at the initiation of GnRH analog treatment by 17.3 cm. This report suggests that combination GH and GnRH analog treatment may be useful in improving height outcome in children with 11beta-hydroxylase deficiency and compromised final height.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗

Ovarian cysts in young girls with hypothyroidism: follow-up and effect of treatment.

Ovarian cysts have been reported in girls with longstanding uncompensated primary hypothyroidism. Restoration of euthyroid state has been associated with resolution of these cysts; long-term follow-up of these patients is however lacking. We evaluated the outcome in ten girls with ovarian cysts and hypothyroidism managed at our hospital with special emphasis on subsequent pubertal development and ovarian imaging. Patients were diagnosed at the age of 8.6 +/- 2.3 years (mean +/- SD) with severe uncompensated primary hypothyroidism (TSH levels >100 mIU/l in all; 509.3 +/- 651 mIU/l) and growth retardation (height SDS -4.1 +/- 1.8). Nine girls had vaginal bleeding at diagnosis; five also had thelarche. LH and FSH levels were prepubertal in all patients. Ovarian cysts were bilateral in eight girls (80%); internal septation was noted in six. Thyroxine replacement (4.1 +/- 0.7 microg/kg/day) led to normalization of TSH levels with reversal of pubertal changes and regression of ovarian cysts in all patients 2.2 +/- 1.0 months after treatment. At last follow-up 3.5 +/- 2.6 years after initiation of treatment at the age of 12.0 +/- 2.3 years, all patients had normal ovarian size in ultrasound evaluation with six girls progressing to normal puberty. Our study emphasizes the need to exclude hypothyroidism in young girls with ovarian cysts. Identification of hypothyroidism in these girls obviates the need for extensive investigations.

Child↗

Growth pattern and skeletal maturation following growth hormone therapy in growth hormone deficiency: factors influencing outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pattern of growth and skeletal maturation following growth hormone (GH) therapy in children with GH deficiency (GHD) with special emphasis on factors influencing outcome. METHODS: Records of ninety-six children (67 boys, 29 girls) with GHD treated with GH for 2.3 +/-2.1 years were reviewed. RESULTS: Height SDS at the end of treatment was significantly higher than that at initiation (-3.4 +/- 1.7 versus -4.8 +/-1.6, P < 0.001); it was however lower than target height SDS (corrected height SDS (1.8 +/- 1.6, P < 0.001). The greatest increase in height SDS was observed during the first two years of treatment. Kaplan Meier survival analysis showed that 92%; of all subjects achieving end height SDS in the target height range did so within the first two years of treatment. Height SDS for bone age increased by 0.7 +/-0.9 during treatment (from -2.5 +/- 1.0 to -1.8 +/- 1.5, P < 0.001); the increase was however lower compared to that for height SDS for chronological age (P < 0.01) suggesting inadvertent skeletal maturation. End height SDS was influenced by duration of treatment and corrected height SDS on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: GH treatment improves growth parameters in GHD; height however still remains compromised. Most of the catch-up growth occurs within two years of treatment emphasizing the need of optimal treatment during this period. Inadvertent skeletal maturation during treatment indicates a need for evaluating the role of agents effective in retarding skeletal maturation.

Adolescent↗

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus presenting with developmental delay and intracranial calcification.

A one-year-boy presented with constipation, fever, failure to thrive and developmental delay from the neonatal period. Investigations revealed persistent hypernatremia and deranged renal functions. Diagnostic work-up was suggestive of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI). Computerized tomography of head revealed calcification in the frontal, thalamic and basal ganglia region. The rare association of NDI and intracranial calcification is discussed.

Brain Diseases↗

Approach to renal tubular disorders.

The renal tubule plays an important role in fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. Renal tubular disorders may affect multiple ( e.g., Fanconi syndrome) or specific (e.g., nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, renal glucosuria) tubular functions. Most conditions are primary and monogenic but occasionally are secondary to other disorders (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, cystinosis, Lowe syndrome). Tubular dysfunction should be considered in all children with failure to thrive, polyuria, refractory rickets, hypokalemia and metabolic acidosis. Careful clinical and laboratory evaluation is essential for appropriate diagnosis and specific management of these conditions.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Growth hormone therapy.

Growth hormone (GH) therapy has revolutionized treatment of children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Improved height outcome with final height in the target height range has been achieved in these children. Identification of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a deadly prion mediated disorder, in recipients of pituitary GH accelerated the transition from pituitary derived GH to recombinant GH. Once daily subcutaneous administration of the freeze-dried preparation at evening is the recommended mode of GH therapy. Studies have led to use of higher dose of GH for improving height outcome (0.33 mg/kg/week or 0.14 IU/kg/day) albeit at a significantly high cost. Growth velocity increases from 3-4 cm/year before therapy to 10-12 cm/year during the first two years of therapy and is maintained at 7-8 cm/year after a period of two years. Close follow-up with regular clinical and laboratory monitoring is essential for achieving a desirable height outcome. A theoretical unlimited supply has led to wide spread use of GH in a variety of disorders other than GHD. Initially started in children with Turner syndrome, GH has now been used in chronic renal failure, idiopathic short stature and intrauterine growth restriction besides a wide array of newly emerging indications.

Adolescent↗

Non-azotemic refractory rickets in Indian children.

In order to examine the etiology of refractory rickets, we evaluated the case records of patients presenting between 1990 and 2002. Subjects with impaired renal functions were excluded. Of 131 patients, 25.9 % each had hypophosphatemic rickets and distal renal tubular acidosis (RTA), 19.6 %vitamin D dependent rickets (VDDR), 11.3 % proximal RTA, 9.1 % liver disease and 6.1 % malabsorption. A significant proportion of patients with VDDR and proximal RTA showed deformities in the first year of life, whereas those with distal RTA and hypophosphatemic rickets presented later. Patients with hypophosphatemic rickets had predominant involvement of lower limbs; hypercalciuria was found in 4. Distal RTA was associated with marked rickets and normal levels of alkaline phosphatase. Hypophosphatemia and low tubular reabsorption of phosphate, though characteristic of hypophosphatemic rickets, was also seen in patients with VDDR (19.2%) and distal RTA (17.6 %). Our findings suggest that application and interpretation of appropriate investigations are useful in determining the cause of non-azotemic refractory rickets allowing initiation of specific therapy.

Acidosis, Renal Tubular↗

Long-term outcome in children with primary distal renal tubular acidosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate complications in adequately treated children with distal renal tubular acidosis (RTA) and to identify factors influencing their development. DESIGN: Records of patients with primary distal RTA followed for 2 or more years at this hospital were reviewed. Case records were examined for age at onset of symptoms and at initiation of treatment, treatment details, follow-up and complications. Height, weight and growth velocity were expressed as standard deviation score (SDS) during different periods of follow-up. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate factors influencing increase in height and weight SDS. P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Of 18 patients (eleven boys), the diagnosis was established at the median (range) age of 6 yr (1.5-13 yr). These patients were followed up for a median (range) period of 4 yr (2-18.5 yr). Short stature (height SDS <-2) was noted in all patients at the time of diagnosis with median (range) height SDS of -5.2(-7.5 - -0.4). All patients had failure to thrive with median (range) weight SDS of -3(-5.7 - -1.5). Height SDS increased by median (range) of 2 (1.2-5.5) to become -2.7(-4.8 - -1.1) at last follow-up. Weight SDS increased by median (range) of 0.9 (-0.6 - 2.8) to become -2.4 (-4 - -0.5). Median (range) growth velocity SDS decreased from 3 (1-16) during first year of treatment to 1(-0.3 - 7) at four years with an increase in mean height SDS by 1.3 during the first two years of treatment. Height SDS at last follow-up was not influenced by the age at initiation of treatment, follow-up duration, initial height SDS or severity of acidosis at diagnosis. Increase in height SDS correlated negatively with base excess and height SDS at diagnosis, and positively with follow-up duration on univariate analyses. Initial height SDS was the only factor that influenced increase in height SDS on multivariate analyses. Increase in weight SDS was negatively correlated with base excess and initial weight SDS with significant association with initial weight SDS, on multivariate analyses. All patients had rickets at the time of diagnosis with pathological fractures in four. Rickets resolved without treatment with vitamin D in seventeen patients after a median (range) period of 4 mo (1-12 mo). Eight patients (44.4%) had nephrocalcinosis at diagnosis. Twenty-four hour urine calcium excretion was higher in those with nephrocalcinosis (p = 0.01). Creatinine clearance remained normal in all except one who progressed to renal failure. CONCLUSION: There is a need for early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and regular follow-up of patients with distal RTA for improving outcome.

Acidosis, Renal Tubular↗

Pseudohypoparathyroidism presenting with bony deformities resembling rickets.

Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP), characterized by hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia and elevated parathormone level, may rarely be associated with bony deformities resembling rickets. The authors report two siblings with clinical and radiological features suggestive of rickets unresponsive to treatment with vitamin D. Low serum calcium, elevated serum phosphate, normal renal functions, raised tubular maximum of phosphate and high serum parathormone were suggestive of PHP. Treatment with 1-hydroxyvitamin D and calcium carbonate led to decrease in bone pain, increase in height and weight and resolution of radiological features. PHP should be suspected in patients with bony deformities, hypocalcemia, elevated blood phosphate levels and normal renal functions.

Bone Diseases↗

21-Hydroxylase deficiency: clinical features, laboratory profile and pointers to diagnosis in Indian children.

We evaluated clinical features, laboratory profile and pointers to diagnosis of 21-hydroxylase deficiency in children presenting to the Pediatric Endocrine Clinic of our hospital from 1990 to 2002. Of the 94 patients included in the study 46 had salt wasting form (SW, 21 girls), 44 simple virilizing form (SV, 34 girls) and 4 non-classical form of the disease (NC, all girls). No difference was observed in the mean (95% confidence interval) age at diagnosis in boys and girls with salt wasting (2.3 mo (0.7-3.9 mo) against 1.3 mo (0.9-1.7 mo), p not significant) despite the presence of genital ambiguity in all girls at birth. Diagnosis of salt wasting was missed at admission in 18 boys (72%) and 3 girls (14.3%) highlighting the need for high index of suspicion for the disorder. Eight patients with 46 XX karyotype (14.5%) had male-like external genitalia with cryptorchidism emphasizing the need for evaluation of boys with cryptorchidism for female pseudohermaphroditism. Our study reiterates the need for early recognition and management of 21-hydroxylase deficiency in children in countries where neonatal screening programs are not feasible.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗

Intravenous cyclophosphamide in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome.

We prospectively examined the effect of treatment with intravenous cyclophosphamide in patients with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. Twenty-four patients (minimal change disease in 11, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in 9, and mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis in 4), who did not show remission of proteinuria despite treatment with 8 weeks of oral prednisolone and six intravenous pulses of dexamethasone, were studied. Cyclophosphamide was administered intravenously, at a dose of 750 mg/m(2) once a month for 6 months; therapy with alternate-day prednisolone was continued. The mean (SD) age at treatment was 7.8 (4.0) years; 18 patients had initial resistance and 6 had late resistance. At the end of 6 months treatment, 7 (29.2%) patients each had complete remission (absent proteinuria, normal serum albumin) and partial remission (1-2+ proteinuria, normal serum albumin). Ten (41.6%) patients showed no response to therapy. The mean time to complete or partial remission, after initiation of treatment with cyclophosphamide, was 2.4+/-1.7 months and 2.7+/-1.8 months, respectively. Most responders (85.8% complete and 57.2% partial responders) achieved remission by the third dose of pulse cyclophosphamide. More patients with late resistance (50%) compared with initial resistance (22.2%) achieved complete remission. Partial remission was transient and lasted for a mean duration of 6.4+/-3.5 months. Serious infections were observed during therapy in 5 patients. On long-term follow-up, 5 (20.8%) patients were in remission, while nephrotic-range proteinuria or end-stage renal disease was seen in 17 (70.8%). Findings from the present study suggest that therapy with intravenous cyclophosphamide has limited efficacy in inducing sustained remission in patients with initial corticosteroid resistance. Sustained remission is likely to occur in a significant proportion of patients with late resistance and those with absence of significant tubulointerstitial changes on renal histology.

Adolescent↗

CNS germinoma in a boy with simple virilizing 21-hydroxylase deficiency and precocious puberty.

A 6 year-old boy presented with peripheral precocious puberty and was diagnosed as having simple virilizing 21-hydroxylase deficiency based on clinical features and elevated 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels on ACTH stimulation. He was managed with glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Two years later he presented with features of CNS involvement in the form of seizures and raised intracranial pressure with rapid progression of puberty. Contrast enhanced CT scan of brain showed an intraventricular tumor with cerebrospinal fluid cytology suggestive of germinoma. Serum and CSF levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and alphafetoprotein (AFP) were elevated, confirming the diagnosis of germinoma.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗

Long-acting GnRH analogue triptorelin therapy in central isosexual precocious puberty.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of long acting GnRH analogue in improving the auxological outcome of patients with central isosexual precocious puberty (CIPP) and to determine the factors influencing the response. METHODS: Thirty-five patients (30 girls, 5 boys) with CIPP were treated with a long acting GnRH analogue, triptorelin. Final height outcomes and factors affecting treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: Treatment was started at the chronological age (CA) of 6.5 1.8 years in girls and 4.4 1.5 years in boys and continued for a period of 3.7 1.8 years in girls and 6 1.8 years in boys. Follow-up period after discontinuation of treatment was 2.2 0.5 years in girls and 2.6 0.3 years in boys. Treatment led to regression of precocious puberty and reversal of secondary sexual characteristics. There was decline in growth rate reflected by a fall in heightSD of 0.8 0.8 in girls and 2.3 0.9 in boys (p = 0.014), an even greater retardation in bone age (BA) advancement with a decrease in BA-CA of 1.7 1 years in girls and 2.7 1 years in boys and a fall in heightSDBA of 1.5 1.1 in girls and 2.1 1.6 in boys. Final height (149.8 6.9 cm in girls and 161.9 3.9 cm in boys) exceeded projected height at the onset of treatment (143.4 8.3 cm in girls and 154.3 2.7 cm in boys) by 6.4 2.4 cm in girls and 7.6 1.5 cm in boys ( p < 0.001 in both the groups). Factors influencing height gain included age at start of therapy (r = 0.715), BA-CA at the time of initiation of treatment (r = 0.734), heightSDBA at the onset of treatment ( r = 0.566) and the duration of treatment (r = 0.711). Girls treated at an age of less than 6 years (n = 9) had a greater height gain (8.7 1.6 cm versus 5.3 1.9 cm, p < 0.001) and achieved similar final height (148.7 8 cm versus 150.2 6.6 cm) in those treated after this age (n = 21). No side effects of GnRH therapy were observed in the study. CONCLUSION: Long acting GnRH therapy is effective in improving the auxological outcome of patients with CIPP. Maximum benefit is observed in girls with greater bone age advancement treated at a younger age and for a longer duration of treatment. These girls had lower bone age advance at discontinuation of treatment.

Child↗

Precocious puberty: clinical and endocrine profile and factors indicating neurogenic precocity in Indian children.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and endocrine profile of patients with precocious puberty followed up in a tertiary care hospital. Records of 140 patients (114 girls, 26 boys) with precocious puberty were reviewed. Clinical features including age of onset, stage of pubertal development, presenting symptoms, features suggestive of CNS involvement and family history were analyzed. Endocrine investigations included basal and GnRH-stimulated levels of LH and FSH as well as 17OHP, DHEA, hCG and thyroid profile. Abdominal and pelvic ultrasonography and CNS imaging were correlated with clinical features. Girls outnumbered boys in this series (4.4:1). Neurogenic central isosexual precocious puberty (CIPP) was more common in boys (10 out of 18, 55.6%) than girls (16 out of 77, 20.8%). The most common cause of neurogenic CIPP was hypothalamic hamartoma present in five girls and four boys. Other causes of neurogenic CIPP included neurotuberculosis, pituitary adenoma, hydrocephalus, post radiotherapy, CNS tumors and malformations. Peripheral precocious puberty (PPP) was secondary to adrenal causes in boys and ovarian cysts in girls. Benign variants of precocious puberty, such as premature thelarche and premature adrenarche, were present in 23 and six girls, respectively. Hypothyroidism was present in four girls and McCune-Albright syndrome in one girl. Girls with neurogenic CIPP had a lower age of onset as compared to idiopathic CIPP (3.6 +/- 2.7 years vs 5.4 +/- 2.5 years, p = 0.014). The lowest age of onset was seen in girls with hypothalamic hamartoma (1.6 +/- 0.9 years). Forty-seven girls with CIPP (seven neurogenic and 40 idiopathic) presented after the age of 6 years. Features of CNS involvement, in the form of seizures, mental retardation, raised intracranial tension or focal neurological deficits, were present in seven girls (43.8%) and four boys (40%), and gelastic seizures were present in three children. Girls with CIPP had greater bone age advancement (3.4 +/- 1.5 years) and negative height standard deviation for bone age (-2.7 +/- 1.5) than those with PPP (1.9 +/- 1.6 years and -1.3 +/- 1.3) and premature thelarche (0.4 +/- 0.4 years and -0.8 +/- 0.8). Patients with neurogenic CIPP had significantly higher levels of baseline and GnRH-stimulated levels of LH and FSH and LH:FSH ratio than those with idiopathic CIPP. Occurrence of neurogenic CIPP in seven girls with an age of onset after 6 years emphasizes the need for CNS imaging in these girls contrary to the current recommendations. The fact that 65.6% cases of idiopathic CIPP presented after the age of 6 years raises the possibility that these patients may be physiological variants of normal puberty. Pointers to neurogenic CIPP included early age of onset in girls, clinical features of CNS involvement, and elevated basal and stimulated LH levels and LH:FSH ratio.

Age Determination by Skeleton↗