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Context: The use of testosterone enanthate (TE), 50-75 mg intramuscularly (i.m.)/month, for the treatment of boys with delayed puberty or slow progression to induce puberty is the standard of care (SoC) in Sweden. This treatment is empirical and has not been scientifically evaluated. Replacement therapy in hypogonadal boys/young men in Sweden after induction is mainly performed with testosterone undecanoate (TU), 1,000 mg/3 months. TE is only available on license. TE was deregistered in Sweden in 2006. Therefore, this study was initiated to compare the two products. Objective: To clinically evaluate pubertal progression with six injections of TE, 75 mg i.m./month (1/3-1/5 of adult dose), compared with two injections of TU, 250 mg i.m./3 months (1/4 of adult dose). Trial design: In the Pubertal Replacement in Boys Study (PRIBS), boys aged 14-16 years in West Sweden with pubertal delay were randomized in a parallel study to TE or TU for pubertal progression. Inclusion criteria were morning testosterone levels of 0.5-3 nmol/L and testicular volume =6 ml. Between June 2014 and Nov 2019, 27 boys were included. Methods: The primary outcome was testicular enlargement =8 ml after 12 months. TU treatment was considered clinically similar if the number of boys with testicular enlargement =8ml was 80%-125% of the number of boys with TE. Fisher's exact chi-square test was used for this analysis. Results: Both treatments were well tolerated. Twelve of 14 (86%) TU-treated boys reached the primary outcome and 12/12 in the TE group. Fisher's exact chisquare testing indicated a one-sided p-value of 0.28 (the two-sided p-value was 0.483). The TU treatment was considered not clinically different from SoC. A post-hoc study showed 25% power. Therefore, no evidence-based conclusion can be drawn from the results even if the clinical data support a similar effect of the treatments. Conclusion: The present small-scale study supports that both TE and TU had similar effects in terms of pubertal progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this work was to investigate the prevalence of premature thelarche (PT) in 18-month-old girls, and the incidence of clinically evaluated PT for girls aged 18–36 months. Methods: In the prevalence substudy, a prospective population-based cohort of 3,140 girls born at Northern Älvsborg county hospital (NÄL) in Trollhättan, Sweden, was followed for 2 years. Girls with breast development at the 18-month health check were referred to one pediatric center in NÄL for evaluation. All girls with PT were included and followed for clinical outcome and 17β-estradiol. The prospective incidence substudy covered 8 years in a 10-year period and included all girls aged 18–36 months born at NÄL who were clinically evaluated for PT. Results: The prevalence of PT at 18 months in our cohort was 1.6/1,000. The 5 girls with PT no longer showed symptoms at the follow-up 3–6 months later. The incidence was 1.1/1,000 for girls aged 18–36 months and 1.0/1,000 for girls aged 18–30 months who were clinically evaluated for their PT. Conclusion: This is the first prospective population-based study of PT and it shows a prevalence of PT at age 18 months of 1.6/1,000. The incidence of clinically evaluated PT was 1.1/1,000. Our result is in line with other studies reporting the incidence of PT from medical records (0.4–40/1,000). The outcome of PT in our study, as in the other studies, is that the great majority of girls show only benign symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early onset of breast development in a young girl is usually a benign and isolated prepubertal condition, i.e., premature thelarche (PT), but can sometimes be progressive and the first sign of pubertal precocity (PP). Serum 17β-estradiol (17β-E2) level is a possible marker to differentiate between benign and pathological forms of breast development. We defined an upper serum 17β-E2 level for benign, “classic” PT for girls aged 9–48 months. Methods: Serum 17β-E2 was analysed with a highly sensitive extraction radioimmunoassay (RIA). Gonadotropins, Tanner breast stage, growth, other investigations, and clinical outcome were assessed in 125 girls with breast development, in a population-based study in West Sweden. Results: A total of 125 of 128 girls had a benign form of breast development with a mean serum 17β-E2 level of 15.2 pmol/L and a mean + 2 SD of 31 pmol/L, which was regarded as the upper limit for benign PT; 3 girls with PP had 17β-E2 levels above 70 pmol/L. Conclusion: This is the first study to define an upper serum 17β-E2 level associated with benign PT. Girls aged 9–48 months with PT and Tanner breast stage 2 have 17β-E2 levels below 32 pmol/L using extraction RIA. LH below the detection limit (0.1 IU/L) and measurable FSH support benign PT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: We studied whether first morning voided (FMV) urinary gonadotropin measurements could be used as a noninvasive alternative to the GnRH test in the assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function in children. Methods: In a single-center study, we compared FMV urinary gonadotropin concentrations with basal and GnRH-stimulated serum gonadotropin levels in 274 children and adolescents (78 girls, 196 boys) aged 5-17 years referred for growth and pubertal disorders. The concordance between FMV urinary gonadotropin concentrations and GnRH test results was assessed. Results: FMV urinary LH (U-LH), urinary FSH (U-FSH) and their ratios correlated well with the corresponding basal and GnRH-stimulated serum parameters (r = 0.66, p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses using urinary and serum LH and FSH concentrations showed that FMV U-LH and U-LH/U-FSH performed equally well as the GnRH test in the differentiation of early puberty (Tanner stage 2) from prepuberty (Tanner stage 1) (area under the curve 0.768-0.890 vs. 0.712-0.858). FMV U-LH and U-LH/UFSH performed equally well as basal serum LH in predicting a pubertal GnRH test result (area under the curve 0.90-0.93). Conclusion: FMV U-LH determination can be used for the evaluation of pubertal development and its disorders, reducing the need for invasive GnRH stimulation tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Immunoassays have been criticized for poor accuracy at low testosterone concentrations. Mass spectrometry (MS) has been proposed as the only reliable method for testosterone determination. The aim of this study was to compare a sensitive testosterone radioimmunoassay (RIA) with results from different MS. Methods. We compared testosterone concentrations determined by a sensitive testosterone RIA, lower limit of detection 0.03 nmol/L and limit of quantitation 0.1 nmol/L, with four tandem MS that were included in an international external quality assessment program for laboratory medicine. We also compared the morning concentrations of testosterone in girls and boys at different pubertal stages, using results from the RIA, with reported values determined by LC-MS/MS, developed for androgen determination in children. Results. The mean (SD), concentrations were similar between RIA and MS: 1.5 (0.3) and 1.4 (0.4) in the child/women range (0.8-2.6 nmol/L) and 16.0 (3.7) and 17.8 (4.5) nmol/L for the adult male range (10.1-30.0 nmol/L), respectively. The ratio between RIA and MS versus results from mean values of the four MS methods was 1.0 (0.18); 1.1 (0.18) for child/women concentrations and 0.9 (0.13) for male testosterone concentrations. Furthermore, compared to the pediatric reference values determined by LC-MS/MS, the sensitive testosterone RIA delivered similar testosterone values across the different pubertal stages. Conclusions. The comparison between different tandem MS methods and a sensitive testosterone RIA illustrates that there are immunoassays that deliver clinically useful information in prepubertal and pubertal children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: The goal of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in girls with hypogonadism is to achieve the endocrine milieu similar to natural puberty, where transdermal administration is the most physiological route. The aim of the study was to evaluate guidelines for the induction of puberty with transdermal estradiol (E2) patches in a large outpatient setting. Methods: In a retrospective study, serum E2 levels from 18 clinics were analyzed at the Göteborg Pediatric Growth Research Center laboratory, as part of the initiation of ERT in girls with hypogonadism. Exclusion criteria were pubertas tarda and pubertal arrest. Eighty-eight observations (50 with Turner syndrome, TS) were included. Serum E2 levels were determined by extraction + radioimmunoassay (detection limit 4 pmol/l) and analyzed in relation to the dose of Evorel® (25 µg/24 h, containing 1.60 mg estradiol hemihydrate; Janssen-Cilag Pharmaceutica N.V., Beerse, Belgium). Results: There was a linear relationship between serum E2 and the weight-based dose, with r = 0.56, p < 0.0001 for all observations and r = 0.59, p < 0.0001 for the TS study group. Linear regression analysis for doses of 0.05-0.07 µg/kg resulted in serum levels of 17-23 pmol/l (TS 17-24 pmol/l) and doses of 0.08-0.12 µg/kg in 26-39 pmol/l (TS 27-39 pmol/l). Conclusions: For the initiation of ERT with nocturnally administered E2 patches, we recommend reduced starting doses of 0.05-0.07 µg/kg, with the goal of mimicking E2 levels during gonadarche. In older girls, when breast development is of high priority, the starting dose can still be 0.08-0.12 µg/kg. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: To study serum testosterone and estradiol in healthy boys in relation to growth during puberty up to peak height velocity (PHV). Methods: Growth velocity was analyzed through testosterone (n = 41) and 17β-estradiol (n = 37) 24-hour profiles in a dose-response model. Participants were 26 healthy boys admitted for short or tall stature or participating as healthy volunteers at the Queen Silvia Children's Hospital. Other inclusion criteria included the following: gestational age 37-42 weeks, birth weight and length >-2 standard deviation score (SDS) and prepubertal height and weight within ±3 SDS. Testosterone was measured using a modified radioimmunoassay (RIA) with a detection limit of 0.03 nmol/l. Estradiol was determined using an ultrasensitive extraction RIA with a detection limit 4 pmol/l. A sixth-grade polynomial was fitted to each child's growth data, giving growth velocity and age at PHV. Results: Growth velocity increased by 50% from prepubertal growth to PHV at a morning testosterone level of 3.1 nmol/l (95% confidence interval 2.4-4.2), EC50. The corresponding EC50 of 17β-estradiol was 6.5 pmol/l (3.2-13). Boys approaching PHV (<4% remaining) had morning testosterone levels >10 nmol/l and 17β-estradiol >9 pmol/l. Conclusion: Observed early puberty/initial mid puberty morning testosterone levels of 2.4-4.2 nmol/l are associated with a 50% increase in growth velocity from prepubertal growth to PHV in healthy boys. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Age at adiposity rebound (AR) is associated with obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in adults. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of age at AR in adult fat mass, fat distribution and pubertal timing for a Swedish cohort. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. Detailed growth charts were retrieved for the men participating in the population-based GOOD (Gothenburg Osteoporosis and Obesity Determinants) study (n = 573). Body composition was analysed using dual X-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography at 18-20 years of age. Age and BMI at AR were calculated using pediatric growth charts and AR was defined as the lowest BMI between 3 and 9 years of age. Results: Subjects were divided into early (age at AR below 5.4 years of age), middle (age at AR 5.4 to 6.8 years of age) and late (age at AR after 6.8 years of age) age at AR tertiles. Subjects in the early age at AR tertile had higher young adult BMI (+8%), whole body fat mass (+34%) and amount of subcutaneous adipose tissue (+61%) than the subjects in the middle and late tertiles (p,0.01). The early age at AR tertile had an increased risk of obesity (Odds Ratio 4.1 [95% CI 1.2-13.9]) compared with the middle and late tertiles. In addition, the early age at AR tertile had Peak Height Velocity (PHV) 7 months earlier than the late tertile. Conclusions: Early age at AR was associated with young adult obesity as a consequence of a high amount of subcutaneous adipose tissue in men. In addition we made the novel observation that early age at AR was associated with an early puberty in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The objective of this study was to determine estradiol levels and assess their relationship to pubertal growth in girls. Methods: Thirty-seven 24-hour profiles of serum 17β-estradiol were retrospectively analyzed in relation to growth in 27 healthy girls admitted for short/tall stature (n = 20) or recruited as healthy volunteers at Göteborg Pediatric Growth Research Center (GP-GRC). Inclusion Criteria: Birth weight and length above -2 SDS, gestational age 37-42 weeks, prepubertal height and weight within ±3 SDS and normal growth hormone secretion. Serum estradiol was determined by a validated ultrasensitive extraction radioimmunoassay (detection limit 4 pmol/l). A sixth-grade polynomial was fitted to each girl's growth data. Growth velocity and age at peak height velocity (PHV) was calculated. Results: A dose-response model was used to find the morning 17β-estradiol level at which half of the maximal pubertal growth up to PHV had occurred, EC50, which was 20 pmol/l with a 95% confidence interval of 13-31. When 17β-estradiol exceeds early pubertal levels (Tanner breast stage 2, 10-51 pmol/l), less than 25% of the potential pubertal growth velocity up to PHV remains. Conclusions: Morning 17β-estradiol in the low early pubertal range (13-31 pmol/l) is associated with increasing growth velocity. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The amount of visceral adipose tissue is a risk factor for the metabolic syndrome. It is unclear how BMI changes during childhood and adolescence predict adult fat distribution. We hypothesized that there are critical periods during development for the prediction of adult subcutaneous and visceral fat mass by BMI changes during childhood and adolescence.Research Design and Methods: Detailed growth charts were retrieved for the men participating in the population-based Gothenburg Osteoporosis and Obesity Determinants (GOOD) Study (n = 612). Body composition was analyzed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and adipose tissue areas using abdominal computed tomography at 18 to 20 years of age.Results: The main finding in the present study was that subjects with increases in BMI Z score of more than 1 SD during adolescence had, independent of prepubertal BMI, both larger subcutaneous (+138%; P < 0.001) and visceral adipose tissue areas (+91%; P < 0.001) than subjects with unchanged BMI Z-score. In contrast, subjects with increases in BMI Z score of more than 1 SD during late childhood had a larger amount of adult subcutaneous adipose tissue (+83%; P < 0.001) than subjects with unchanged BMI Z score but an unaffected amount of visceral adipose tissue. BMI changes during adolescence predict both visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue of the abdomen, whereas BMI changes during late childhood predict only the subcutaneous adipose tissue.Conclusions: The amount of visceral adipose tissue in young adult men was associated with BMI changes specifically during adolescence, whereas the amount of subcutaneous adipose tissue was associated with BMI changes during both late childhood and adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE--The amount of visceral adipose tissue is a risk factor for the metabolic syndrome. It is unclear how BMI changes during childhood and adolescence predict 'adult fat distribution. We hypothesized that there are critical periods during development for the prediction of adult subcutaneous and visceral fat mass by BMI changes during childhood and adolescence. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--Detailed growth charts were retrieved for the men participating in the population-based Gothenburg Osteoporosis and Obesity Determinants (GOOD) Study (n = 612). Body composition was analyzed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and adipose tissue areas using abdominal computed tomography at 18 to 20 years of age. RESULTS--The main finding in the present study was that subjects with increases in BMI Z score of more than 1 SD during adolescence had, independent of prepubertal BMI, both larger subcutaneous (+138%; P < 0.001) and visceral adipose tissue areas (+91%; P < 0.001) than subjects with unchanged BMI Z-score. In contrast, subjects with increases in BMI Z score of more than 1 SD during late childhood had a larger amount of adult subcutaneous adipose tissue (+83%; P < 0.001) than subjects with unchanged BMI Z score but an unaffected amount of visceral adipose tissue. BMI changes during adolescence predict both visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue of the abdomen, whereas BMI changes during late childhood predict only the subcutaneous adipose tissue. CONCLUSIONS--The amount of visceral adipose tissue in young adult men was associated with BMI changes specifically during adolescence, whereas the amount of subcutaneous adipose tissue was associated with BMI changes during both late childhood and adolescence. Diabetes 58:867-874, 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of estrogens in male physiology has become evident. However, clinically useful normative data for estradiol secretion in boys has not previously been established due to the insensitivity of current methods used in clinical routine. By use of a validated ultra-sensitive extraction RIA, our aim was to establish normative data from a group consisting of healthy boys in prepuberty and during pubertal development. Methods: Sixty-two 24-hours serum profiles (6 samples/24 hours) were obtained from 44 healthy boys (ages; 7.2-18.6 years) during their pubertal development, classified into five stages: prepuberty (testis, 1-2 mL), early (testis, 3-6 mL), mid (testis, 8-12 mL), late-1 (testis,15-25 mL, not reached final height) and late-2 (testis,15-25 mL, reached final height). Serum estradiol was determined by an ultra- sensitive extraction radioimmunoassay with detection limit 4 pmol/L and functional sensitivity 6 pmol/L. Results: Mean estradiol concentrations during 24-hours secretion increased from prepuberty (median: <4 (5-95 percentiles: <4 - 7) pmol/L) to early puberty (6 (<4 - 12 pmol/L) but then remained relatively constant until a marked increase between mid-puberty (8 (4 - 17) pmol/L) and late-1 (21 (12 - 37) pmol/L) puberty, followed by a slower increase until late-2 puberty (32 (20 - 47) pmol/L). The diurnal rhythm of serum estradiol was non-measurable in pre- and early puberty, but discerned in mid-puberty, and become evident in late pubertal stages with peak values at 0600 to 1000 h. Conclusion: With the use of an ultra-sensitive extraction RIA, we have provided clinically useful normative data for estradiol secretion in boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of puberty and normal variations in pubertal timing for the development of obesity in men is unclear. The aim of the current study was to investigate the impact of pubertal timing and prepubertal BMI (kg/m²) for young adult BMI and fat mass distribution. Detailed growth charts from birth to age 18-20 years were retrieved for the men participating in the population-based Gothenburg Osteoporosis and Obesity Determinants study. Age at peak height velocity (PHV) and BMI at age 10 years were estimated for 579 subjects, and PHV was used as an assessment of pubertal timing. The fat mass characterization and distribution were analyzed using dual X-ray absorptiometry and peripheral as well as abdominal computed tomography at age 18.9 ± 0.5 years. We demonstrate that age at PHV is an independent negative predictor of young adult BMI and whole-body fat mass. Interestingly, age at PHV is an independent negative predictor of central, but not peripheral, fat mass. In contrast, BMI at 10 years of age predicts both central and peripheral subcutaneous fat mass. In conclusion, we demonstrate that early pubertal onset specifically predicts a central fat mass distribution, while a predominantly subcutaneous obese phenotype is strongly predicted by a high prepubertal BMI. Diabetes 55:3047-3052, 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Postmenopausal women treated with corticosteroids are regarded as a high-risk group due to the effect of both natural bone loss and possible adverse effects of treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (IC). Objective To compare bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women exposed only to IC (IC group, n = 106) with that of BMD in women not exposed to corticosteroids ( n = 124) and women exposed to oral and/or intra-articular injections in addition to inhaled corticosteroids (OC group, n = 31). The women were recruited from a population-based prospective cohort study. Methods Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) technique was used to measure BMD in whole body, spine, pelvis and lower extremities. A health questionnaire and an interview about past and present medication use were used. Results The mean duration and dose of IC were 9.5 ± 4.5 years and 615 µg daily. Whole body BMD did not significantly differ between the IC group (1.103 g/cm2) and the unexposed group (1.087 g/cm2). Within the IC group, BMD stratified for cumulative dose of IC, duration or current dose above or below 800 µg did not differ. Z-score BMD for tertiles did not differ when comparing the IC and OC groups. Conclusion No difference in BMD was noted between postmenopausal women exposed to inhaled corticosteroids and unexposed controls nor was there any dose response relationship between inhaled corticosteroid therapy and BMD. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conflicting results have been reported of the long-term effects of treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on bone. The objective of this study was to compare ICS users and non-users regarding bone mineral density (BMD) in a large population. A total of 65 225 adults participated in a cross-sectional study in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study 1995-1997. Those reporting asthma or asthma-related symptoms, were invited to have bone densitometry of the forearm, flow volume spirometry and a personal interview. Altogether 4482 women and 4142 men participated, of whom 2113 reported ever use and 6511 never use of ICS. Never-users of corticosteroids had a mean BMD, adjusted for confounders (age, square age, sex, body mass index, height, physical activity, work load, packyears, family history of osteoporosis and in women number of years since menopause and use of hormone replacement therapy), of 0.493 g/cm2 at the distal site. Subjects having only used ICS or combined with courses of prednisolone, had 0.008 g/cm2 (95%CI: 0.005-0.011) lower BMD whilst users of prednisolone ≥6 months had 0.038 g/cm2 (0.021-0.055) lower level. No dose response association between ICS and BMD, or difference in BMD by type of ICS was found. The association between CS use and BMD was independent of the measuring site. ICS use was associated with lower BMD. The lack of dose response in this study might be due to a narrow dose range or indicates that other characteristics of the patient group are contributing to the observed difference in ICS users compared to never-users. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Males with the 45,X/46,XY karyotype and malformations of the external genitalia carry an increased risk of developing germ cell neoplasia of the gonads. We have studied gonadal tissue from 10 individuals, 0.3–17 years of age, with a male phenotype and either hypospadias and/or cryptorchidism. Four patients, 0.3–15 years of age, had carcinoma in situ, 1 boy had Sertoli-cell-only pattern and the remainder prepubertal histology. Gonadoblastoma or invasive carcinoma was not found. On the basis of our current knowledge we propose a strategy for management and follow-up of these boys in order to detect possible premalignant histological changes early and prevent development of a gonadal tumour.Copyright © 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The amount of adipose tissue influences pubertal development and fertility in girls. A candidate for mediating this is the hormone leptin, derived from adipocytes. This work was carried out to determine whether the leptin concentration in serum is regulated during pubertal development.Subjects and Methods: Serum concentrations of leptin were determined by radioimmunoassay in a sample of 252 healthy children representing all pubertal stages.Results: Serum leptin concentrations correlated directly with age (r = 0.53), body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.71), and weight for height SD score (r = 0.44) in girls and with BMI (r = 0.33) and weight for height SD score in boys (r = 0.36). Leptin concentrations increased with pubertal development in girls, resulting in significantly higher concentrations at pubertal stages 4 and 5 than at the prepubertal stage, whereas there was no change in the boys.Conclusions: Serum leptin concentrations increased during pubertal development in the girls, but remained constant in the boys. Whether the increase in serum leptin concentrations in girls is of importance for, or a consequence of, pubertal development is still to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Editorial Board of Acta Paediatrica wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the following persons outside the Editorial Committee, who in a very constructive way have acted as referees during the past year. B A b çimen, Irem Damla Abo, Yara Abrahamsen, Tore Abu-Harb, Majd Abu-Shaweesh, Jalal Adams, Mark Addabbo, Margaret Adler, Frederick Aghai, Zubair Aguayo, Josefa Ahlfeld, Shawn Ahlqvist-Björkroth, Sari Ahlsson, Fredrik Alam, Nur Alfvén, Gösta Alfvén, Tobias Allegaert, Karel Alm, Bernt Almqvist, Kjerstin Altman, Maria Amadi, Hippolite Onyejiaka Anderlid, Britt-Marie Andersen, Randi Dovland Andersson, Ketty Andersson, Nadine Andersson, Ola Andersson, Roland Andersson, Sture Arnell, Henrik Aronsson, Bernice Arthur, Julia Asarnoj, Anna Atout, Maha Autio, Timo Awasthi, Shally Axberg, Ulf Axelsson, Inge B B b Backes, Carl Backman, Katri Bagolan, Pietro Baguley, Katherine Baker, Jennifer Ball, Helen Balla, Uri Bamat, Nicolas Bancalari, Eduardo Bandeira, Teresa Banerjee, Jayanta Bartocci, Marco Basal, Donald Baskin, Laurence Battelino, Tadej Beard, Lauren Beck, Michael Beckers, Thijs Bellieni, Carlo Bellini, Carlo Ben-Ari, Yéhézkel Bendabenda, Jaden Bennet, Rutger Bentur, Lea Benzies, Karen Berbyuk Lindström, Nataliya Berg, Lisa Berger, Angelika Bergfors, Elisabet Bergman, Patrick Bergounioux, Jean. [Extracted from the article]

The Editorial Board of Acta Paediatrica wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the following persons outside the Editorial Committee, who in a very constructive way have acted as referees during the past year. Hård, Anna-Lena Myléus, Anna Nilsson, Anna Nordenström, Anna. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents an index of authors for the September 2012 issue of "Hormone Research in Paediatrics."

The article presents several abstracts related to hormone research including one on postnatal growth and intellectual performance among males born preterm, one on the clinical, endocrine and metabolic consequences of human acid labile subunit deficiency and one on three dimensional protein homology modelling for steroidogenic diseases.

An index of authors contributing to issue 70 (2008) of "Hormone Research" is presented.

An author index for the 2007 issue of "Hormone Research" is presented.

Presents an index of authors of articles published in the September 2005 issue of "Hormone Research."

The article lists abstract reviewers featured within the issue, including Chizomam Agwu, Assunta Albanese, and Kerstin Albertsson-Wikland.

A list of abstract reviewers for the 2007 issue of "Hormone Research" is presented. They include Carlo Acerini from Great Britain, Jurgen Bramswig from Germany, Dionisios Chrysis from Greece, Pierre De Meyte from Denmark, Christa E. Fluck from Switzerland, Philippe Garnier from France and Walter Miller from the U.S.