Neuroendocrine Disorders in Children

M. Dattani, P. Hindmarsch, L. Carr, and I. Robinson (Eds). Neuroendocrine Disorders in Children (Clinics in Developmental Medicine). London, UK: Mac Keith Press; 2016 (406 pages). ISBN 978–1-909962–50–7. £ 93.70/EUR 74.95

This volume, compiled by four editors with contributions by 51 authors, is organized in seven sections with a total of 23 chapters. The sections cover the various axes: hypothalamic–pituitary–growth hormone–insulin-like growth factor 1/thyroid/adrenal/gonadal axes. These include information on developmental (embryonic) and anatomic aspects, regulatory mechanisms, genetic influences and genetic forms of hormone deficiencies, hormone receptors and transcription factors, and (if relevant) impact on brain growth and neurological function. Regarding the impact on brain growth and neurological function, I was aware about the role of thyroid hormone, but not of the important role of growth hormone.

Other chapters cover “Regulation of appetite and weight,” “Late effects of cancer and its treatment on the neuroendocrine system,” “Craniopharyngioma,” “Precocious puberty,” and “Diabetes and insulin signaling.”

I found the remarks on genetic childhood obesity syndromes, Kallmann syndrome, and on effects of stress on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis particularly informative.

The chapter on adrenoleukodystrophy fell considerably short of my expectations: no word about the MRI scoring (Loes score) in juvenile adrenoleukodystrophy and no information about the rather high prevalence of neurological symptoms in female carriers as well as the biochemical screening of potential carriers.

The table of genetic syndromes associated with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism could be complemented by a number of neurological disorders (as galactosemia, carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndromes, vanishing white matter leukodystrophy, 4H syndrome associated with POLR3A/3B mutations). A table (“checklist”) listing neurological disorders with diabetes mellitus as a common finding would have been helpful.

Despite the impression that the neuro-aspect is less strong than the endocrine one, this volume can be recommended as a valuable source of up-to-date information about physiology, pathophysiology, molecular biology, and novel genetic aspects.