ESPE Yearbook of Paediatric Endocrinology

While this last year was undoubtedly dominated by COVID-19, it was another inspiring year (June 2020 to May 2021) for publications relating to Paediatric Endocrinology. Among other reports:

– New treatments were described: vosoritide for achondroplasia; 6-monthly leuprolide acetate for precocious puberty; osilodrostat for Cushing’s disease; semaglutide for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and also for severe obesity due to LEPR or POMC mutations; a new 20-kDa Human Placental growth hormone; and the green Mediterranean diet for metabolic syndrome

– New evidence showed that: infliximab decreases the risk of thyroid disorders; dose titration is better than ‘block and replace’ in Graves’ disease; high dose cyproterone acetate increases the risk of intracranial meningioma in women; the long-term safety of rhGH therapy; better than expected heat-stability of various insulins; and the impact of COVID on type 1 diabetes management

– New genes were identified for hypopituitarism, familial short stature, androgen insensitivity syndrome, hypophosphatemic rickets and congenital diabetes with infantile obesity, and susceptibility to chemotherapy-related reduced ovarian function

– New mechanisms include: ceramide signaling in obesity-induced precocious puberty; Kisspeptin deficiency in excess adrenal steroid hormone secretion; the structure and function of the satiety receptor, MC4R, and the high prevalence of clinically relevant variants; and the cellular basis of distinct thirst modalities

When considering our future, our history deserves to be remembered. 100 years ago, Dr. Frederick Banting of the University of Toronto had the idea to make a pancreatic extract that had anti-diabetic qualities. Also in 1921, the first BCG vaccination against tuberculosis was reported, and the American biochemist, Elmer McCollum, identified a component in cod liver oil which cured rickets - he called this vitamin D.

The Yearbook has been coedited by Ze’ev Hochberg ever since its beginning in 2004. Ze’ev originated this concept with Jean-Claude Carel and it has evolved from hardback only, to paperback only, to online only, and is now available in multiple formats (online, pdf, or paperback from Amazon Kindle). We are sorry to announce that Ze’ev will retire from the Yearbook after this year. In his place, we welcome Christa Flück as coeditor from 2022. Looking to the future, we welcome your feedback and comments on the Yearbook format and contents

We warmly acknowledge the generous endorsement and support by ESPE, which makes the Yearbook possible, and the efficient and professional work of Bioscientifica, who turn our raw materials into the polished output. The enthusiasm and hard work of our expert Associate Editors and coauthors makes this an indispensable resource for pediatric endocrinologists and clinical researchers to keep updated with the key findings in our field.

Ze’ev Hochberg (Haifa)

Ken Ong (Cambridge)