Conditional Cardiovascular Response to Growth Hormone Therapy in Adult Patients with Prader-Will Syndrome (PWS)
On January 20, 2007, clinical investigators in Italy reported that altered GH secretion has been related to reduced cardiac mass and function. Upon evaluating cardiovascular response to GH secretion in PWS adults, they found that GH therapy increased cardiac mass without disastolic consequences; but they observed a slight deterioration of right heart function and an association between IGF-I and left-venricular function, which they concluded requires appropriate cardiac and hormonal monitoring . Reported in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, April 2007, 92(4):1364-1371.

Consensus Statement: Management of Children Born Small-for-Gesational Age (SGA) through Adulthood
On January 2, 2007, the International Societies of Pediatric Endocrinology and the Growth Hormone Research Society issued a consensus statement containing the following conclusions: The diagnosis of SGA should be based on accurate birth measurements for weight, length, and head circumference. There should be early surveillance in growth clinics for the children without catch-up growth; and, early neurodevelopment evaluation and intervention for at-risk children. For the 10 percent of SGA children who lack catch up growth, growth hormone (rhGH) can increase linear growth. Long term surveillance of treated children is required. Associations between low birth weight, including SGA, and coronary heart disease and stroke in later life are recognized, but there is presently insufficient evidence to recommend surveillance of all adults born SGA. Reported in the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, March 2007, 92(3):804-810.

Clinical Practice Guideline: Care of Girls and Women with Turner Syndrome (TS)
On October 25, 2006, The Turner Syndrome Consensus Study Group, consisting of an international group of premier endocrinologists in the area of TS, issued a "Guideline" for the care of girls and women with TS. The Guidelines highlight the need for diagnosis, monitoring, and preventative care relating to cardiovascular defects; early identification of potential attention-deficit or non-verbal learning disorders; lifetime monitoring of hearing and thyroid hormone funcction; and the monitoring of adults for aortic enlargement, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia; open discussion of premature ovarian failure and the importance of estrogen treatment for feminization and bone health. The Study Group also recommended that puberty should not be delayed to promote statural growth; but recognized that most girls with TS are now treated with growth hormone. Reported in the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, January 2007, 92(1):10-25.