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Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of the uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) for the diagnosis of pubertal onset in girls. Methods: Cross-sectional study of girls with normal pubertal development. Puberty was diagnosed by the presence of Tanner breast development score ≥2. All girls underwent pelvic ultrasound and Doppler imaging of the uterine arteries. We evaluated the uterine artery PI and uterine, endometrial, and ovarian measurements. We used ROC curves with cutoffs determined by Youden index for data analysis. Results: We included 169 girls aged 5-16 years who underwent 202 pelvic ultrasound examinations. Prepubertal girls had a significantly higher mean PI (mean, 6.70; SD, 2.15) than girls in initial puberty (mean, 4.14; SD, 1.55) and in late puberty (mean, 2.81; SD, 1.05) (P3.75 cm³ had a sensitivity of 73%, specificity of 95%, PPV of 97%, and accuracy of 79% to detect initial puberty. Conclusions: The significant reduction in the PI during pubertal development combined with increasing uterine volume can be a valuable, highly specific, noninvasive tool to confirm the onset of puberty.

The uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) assessed by Doppler ultrasound reflects blood flow impedance in the vessel distal to the sampling point. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the uterine artery PI for the diagnosis of puberty in girls. A PRISMA-ScR-compliant scoping review was performed in the MEDLINE and Embase databases with “puberty” and “Doppler ultrasonography” as the search terms. Studies that included girls aged 0–18 years who underwent pelvic Doppler ultrasound with calculation uterine artery PI were considered eligible. Ten studies comprising 1385 girls aged 1.2–18 years were included. The selected studies were published between 1996 and 2021 and included participants from Italy, Brazil, Iran, Belgium, and Denmark. Six studies included girls who were referred for evaluation of pubertal disorders, while four studies selected only healthy girls. Nine studies found a significant difference in Doppler and PI according to pubertal stage, with PI cutoff points ranging from 2.5 to 4.6 for the diagnosis of puberty onset, with a sensitivity of 77–94%, specificity of 85–100%, and accuracy of 79–98%. Doppler assessment of the uterine arteries with PI calculation is a useful noninvasive tool in the diagnosis of secondary sexual characteristic onset in girls.

Wilms’ tumor suppressor gene 1 (WT1) plays an essential role in urogenital and kidney development. Heterozygous germline pathogenic allelic variants of WT1 have been classically associated with Denys–Drash syndrome (DDS) and Frasier syndrome (FS). Usually, exonic pathogenic missense variants in the zinc finger region are the cause of DDS, whereas pathogenic variants affecting the canonic donor lysine-threonine-serine splice site in intron 9 cause FS. Phenotypic overlap between WT1 disorders has been frequently observed. New WT1 variant-associated phenotypes, such as 46,XX testicular/ovarian-testicular disorders of sex development (DSD) and primary ovarian insufficiency, have been reported. In this report, we describe the phenotypes and genotypes of 7 Brazilian patients with pathogenic WT1 variants. The molecular study involved Sanger sequencing and massively parallel targeted sequencing using a DSD-associated gene panel. Six patients (5 with a 46,XY karyotype and 1 with a 46,XX karyotype) were initially evaluated for atypical genitalia, and a 46,XY patient with normal female genitalia sought medical attention for primary amenorrhea. Germ cell tumors were identified in 2 patients, both with variants affecting alternative splicing of WT1 between exons 9 and 10. Two pathogenic missense WT1 variants were identified in two 46,XY individuals with Wilms’ tumors; both patients were WT1 variant, c.1453_1456 (p.Arg485Glyfs*14), was identified in a 46,XX patient with testicular DSD. Nephrotic proteinuria was diagnosed in all patients, including 3 who underwent renal transplantation after progressing to end-stage kidney disease. The expanding phenotypic spectrum associated with WT1 variants in XY and XX individuals confirms their pivotal role in gonadal and renal development as well as in tumorigenesis, emphasizing the clinical implications of these variants in genetic diagnosis.

The classic definition of precocious sexual maturation is the development of secondary sexual characteristics before 8 years of age in girls and before 9 years of age in boys. It is classified as central precocious puberty when premature maturation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis occurs, and as peripheral precocious puberty when there is excessive secretion of sex hormones, independent of gonadotropin secretion. Precocious sexual maturation is more common in girls, generally central precocious puberty of idiopathic origin. In boys, it tends to be linked to central nervous system abnormalities. Clinical evaluation should include a detailed history and physical examination, including anthropometric measurements, calculation of growth velocity, and evaluation of secondary sexual characteristics. The main sign to suspect the onset of puberty is breast tissue development (thelarche) in girls and testicular enlargement (≥4 mL) in boys. Hormonal assessment and imaging are required for diagnosis and identification of the etiology. Genetic testing should be considered if there is a family history of precocious puberty or other clinical features suggestive of a genetic syndrome. Long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs are the standard of care for central precocious puberty management, while peripheral precocious puberty management depends on the etiology.Conclusion: The aim of this review is to address the epidemiology, etiology, clinical assessment, and management of precocious sexual maturation. What is Known: • The main sign to suspect the onset of puberty is breast tissue development (thelarche) in girls and testicular enlargement (≥4 mL) in boys. The classic definition of precocious sexual maturation is the development of secondary sexual characteristics before 8 years of age in girls and before 9 years of age in boys. • Long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) is the standard of care for CPP management, and adequate hormone suppression results in the stabilization of pubertal progression, a decline in growth velocity, and a decrease in bone age advancement. What is New: • Most cases of precocious sexual maturation are gonadotropin-dependent and currently assumed to be idiopathic, but mutations in genes involved in pubertal development have been identified, such as MKRN3 and DLK1. • A different preparation of long-acting GnRHa is now available: 6-month subcutaneous injection.

Background: Adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) is a rare disease (1:70.000 men) characterized by reduction in all cortical adrenal hormones and also by hypogonadism. NR0B1 -related AHC includes both X-linked AHC and Xp21 deletion. AHC gene mutation was first described in 1994 and occurs in less than 1% of adrenal insufficiency (AI) cases and it is imperative that clinical endocrinologists increase their knowledge on this condition to recognize it as promptly as they were used to do so in other causes of pediatric AI.Clinical Cases: We describe here two sporadic cases and three familial cases from one family, all of them attending at our Endocrine Unit at HCPA, in the South of Brazil. The median age of AI first symptoms was 1 month old in two patients (acute infantile onset due to a salt wasting crises), and eleven years old in the remaining patients (childhood onset). Their exams confirmed the clinical suspicion of primary AI because of low plasma cortisol (from < 0.5 to 4 mcg/dl - reference range from 7-24 mcg/dl), as well as all adrenal steroids levels, high ACTH levels (from 672 to 2225 pg/ml - reference range from 7-63 pg/ml) and high plasmatic renin (from 92 to 448 mcUI/ml - reference range from 2.8-39.9 mcUI/ml). They were also extensively investigated searching for the AI pathophysiology. After some years of lost follow-up, one of the familial cases that had first been seen in 1993, returned to our hospital and was diagnosed with hypogonadism, leading to NR5OB1 gene evaluation.Regarding the genetic etiology, one of the sporadic cases developed a clinical picture including profound developmental delay, seizures and strabismus suggestive of a contiguous gene syndrome that involves Duchenne muscular dystrophy, glycerol kinase deficiency and AHC. A CGH array was performed and identified a Xp21.3-p21.1 deletion. The affected family had an extensive history suggestive of a genetic disease with X-linked inheritance pattern, as shown by the premature death of 3 uncles and a male cousin. A deleterious variant (c.131_212delinsTGAGACCTGTACCGT) in NR5OB1 gene was identified by Sanger sequencing in hemizygous state in the 46,XY affected patients.Conclusion: Albeit a rare disease, it is crucial that endocrinologist all around the World could be aware about clinical characteristics of this condition in order to properly diagnose it. And it is even possible, as it occurred with one of our patient, to make a late pathophysiologic diagnosis, making possible to treat the associated hypogonadism. Reference: Acherman JC, Vilain EJ. NR0B1- related adrenal hypoplasia congenita. GeneReviews 1993-2019.

Context46,XY Gonadal dysgenesis (GD) is a heterogeneous group of disorders with a wide phenotypic spectrum, including embryonic testicular regression syndrome (ETRS).ObjectiveTo report a gene for 46,XY GD etiology, especially for ETRS.DesignScreening of familial cases of 46,XY GD using whole-exome sequencing and sporadic cases by target gene-panel sequencing.SettingTertiary Referral Center for differences/disorders of sex development (DSD).Patients and InterventionsWe selected 87 patients with 46,XY DSD (17 familial cases from 8 unrelated families and 70 sporadic cases); 55 patients had GD (among them, 10 patients from 5 families and 8 sporadic cases had ETRS), and 32 patients had 46,XY DSD of unknown etiology.ResultsWe identified four heterozygous missense rare variants, classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic in the Asp-Glu-Ala-His-box (DHX) helicase 37 (DHX37) gene in five families (n = 11 patients) and in six sporadic cases. Two variants were recurrent: p.Arg308Gln (in two families and in three sporadic cases) and p.Arg674Trp (in two families and in two sporadic cases). The variants were specifically associated with ETRS (7/14 index cases; 50%). The frequency of rare, predicted-to-be-deleterious DHX37 variants in this cohort (14%) is significantly higher than that observed in the Genome Aggregation Database (0.4%; P < 0.001). Immunohistochemistry analysis in human testis showed that DHX37 is mainly expressed in germ cells at different stages of testis maturation, in Leydig cells, and rarely in Sertoli cells.ConclusionThis strong genetic evidence identifies DHX37 as a player in the complex cascade of male gonadal differentiation and maintenance.

Pelvic ultrasonography (US) is a quick, non-invasive and low-cost method, and doppler analysis facilitates assessment of flow impedance measurement in the uterine vascular tree. The pulsatility index (PI) reflects blood flow impedance in the vessel distal to the sampling point and has been suggested as a parameter to define pubertal development. In order to evaluate the PI and US measurements of uterus and ovaries in girls with different pubertal stages, we performed a cross-sectional study in girls with normal pubertal development. US and Doppler assessed PI of the uterine arteries (defined as the difference between the peak systolic flow and end-diastolic flow divided by the mean maximum flow velocity), endometrial thickness, uterine and ovarian volumes were evaluated. All the US exams were performed with the same equipment by the same radiologist. Clinical data such as the age of menarche, pubarche and thelarche were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed in SPSS, with ANOVA test, Spearman correlation and ROC curve with Youden. One hundred and sixty-nine girls aged 5-16 years (mean 11.3 ± 1.8) who performed two hundred and two pelvic US were included (Tanner 1=20%, Tanner 2=22%, Tanner 3=23%, Tanner 4=17%, Tanner 5=17%). Mean age of thelarche, pubarche and menarche were 11.1 ± 1.8, 10.2 ± 1.2 and 12.2 ± 1.1 years respectively. Prepubertal girls (Tanner 1) had mean PI significantly higher than girls in initial puberty (Tanner 2 and 3 grouped) and in late puberty (Tanner 4 and 5 grouped), respectively 6.5 ± 2.27 vs. 4.15 ± 1.55 vs. 2.82 ± 1.06, p3.75 cm³, we found a sensitivity of 0.72 and specificity of 0.90 to detect puberty. We identified a strong negative correlation between PI and uterine volume (rs=-0.72, p

Molecular diagnosis is rarely established in 46,XX testicular (T) disorder of sex development (DSD) individuals with atypical genitalia. The Wilms' tumour factor-1 (WT1) gene is involved in early gonadal development in both sexes. Classically, WT1 deleterious variants are associated with 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD) because of gonadal dysgenesis. We report a novel frameshift WT1 variant identified in an SRY-negative 46,XX testicular DSD girl born with atypical genitalia. Target massively parallel sequencing involving DSD-related genes identified a novel heterozygous WT1 c.1453_1456del; p.Arg485Glyfs*14 variant located in the fourth zinc finger of the protein which is absent in the population databases. Segregation analysis and microsatellite analysis confirmed the de novo status of the variant that is predicted to be deleterious by in silico tools and to increase WT1 target activation in crystallographic model. This novel and predicted activating frameshift WT1 variant leading to the 46,XX testicular DSD phenotype includes the fourth zinc-finger DNA-binding domain defects in the genetic aetiology of 46,XX DSD.

O emprego das diversas metodologias diagnósticas da deficiência de hormônio de crescimento (DGH) em crianças é controverso. Neste artigo serão analisadas estas alternativas revisando a literatura e apresentando dados prospectivos obtidos pelos autores, sugerindo que a DGH seja diagnosticada empregando-se testes de triagem seguidos de testes de confirmação. Assim, recomenda-se que crianças com baixa estatura sejam avaliadas clínica e laboratorialmente para exclusão de doenças crônicas e genéticas. Naquelas com estatura < 3º percentil ou velocidade de crescimento (VC) < percentil 25, dosar IGF-1 como triagem. Se IGF-1 < –1 desvio-padrão (DP), a DGH deve ser confirmada pela ausência de resposta do hormônio de crescimento (GH) a dois testes de estímulo (pico < 5 mcg/L). Em paciente com fatores de risco, IGF-1 < –1 DP e um teste não-responsivo também é diagnóstico de DGH. As crianças com IGF-1 > –1 DP, devem ter a VC acompanhada e, se alterada, pode-se indicar reavaliação do eixo GH/IGF-1 excluindo ou confirmando a DGH. The diagnostic approach to growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children with short stature (SS) is controversial. Here we review the available methodology and present prospective data obtained in a cohort of patients with SS suggesting the use of screening test followed by the confirmation test. Thus, the children with SS should be submitted to clinical and laboratorial evaluation to exclude of chronic and genetic diseases. In addition patients with height < 3 percentil or growth velocity < percentil 25, IGF-1 levels should be measured. If the IGF1 levels < –1 standard deviation (SD) compared to the age, GHD should be confirmed by two GH-stimulations tests (peak < 5 mcg/L). In risk factor patients, IGF-1 < –1 SD and one non-responsible GH-test, the GHD was confirmed. Children with IG F-1 > –1 SD , the growth velocity should have observed and GH/IGF-1 axis re-evaluated if the growth pattern is not satisfactory.

Os tumores de estroma ovariano são responsáveis por 5 a 8% dos tumores ovarianos. Sua manifestação clínica inicial mais comum em meninas pré-puberais é o desenvolvimento de puberdade precoce. Neste artigo discutimos o caso de uma menina de 7 anos e 2 meses com tumor de estroma ovariano do tipo misto - cordões-sexuais-células germinativas -, cuja manifestação inicial foi puberdade precoce isossexual, de evolução rápida e progressiva. Os níveis séricos de testosterona, estradiol e 17alfaOH-progesterona encontravam-se elevados. A ecografia pélvica-abdominal demonstrou massa anexal direita. Salpingo-ooforectomia unilateral foi realizada com completa ressecção tumoral. A paciente encontra-se bem 7 anos após a cirurgia com crescimento e desenvolvimento puberal normal, sem evidência de recidiva tumoral. São revistas as principais manifestações clínicas dos tumores ovarianos, sua classificação e o estadiamento dos tumores de estroma ovariano/cordão sexual, seu seguimento empregando diversos marcadores tumorais e hormonais. Finalmente é analisado o tratamento e prognóstico destes pacientes. Granulosa-stromal tumors comprise 5 to 8% of all primary ovarian neoplasms. The first clinical manifestation is precocious puberty in most prepuberal patients. We report a case of mixed germ cell-cord stromal tumor of ovary in a 7.2 years old girl, who presented with isosexual pseudo-precocious puberty of progressive outcome. Serum testosterone, estradiol and 17alphaOH-progesterone levels were increased. Abdominal-pelvic ultrasound revealed a right ovarian mass. Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed with complete resection of the tumor. The patient is well 7 years after surgery with normal pubertal and growth development and no signs of tumor relapse. We review the clinical manifestations of ovarian tumors, classification and staging of sex cord-stromal tumors, follow-up, tumor markers, treatment and prognosis.