ESPE Yearbook of Paediatric Endocrinology

Brief Summary: In a large cohort of healthy adolescents, oral contraceptive (OC) users showed an higher LDL and triglyceride blood levels than non-users. Similarly, lipid trajectories over time showed an increase in LDL and triglyceride levels.Comment: Oral contraceptives (OCs) are widely used among young women. Studies in adults reported that OCs increase triglyceride levels, but effects on LDL levels were inconsistent. However, many of these studies we...

Brief Summary: This double-blind, randomized trial, showed that 2 dosing regimens of alirocumab, a human monoclonal antibody to proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9), reduced LDL-C in children as young as 8 years with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia inadequately controlled by statins. Efficacy was sustained over 2 years, and both regimens were generally well tolerated.Comment: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) i...

Brief Summary: Data from two large registries of children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) revealed that initiating lipoprotein apheresis in childhood, compared to pharmacotherapy, improves plasma LDL-C level and reduces cardiovascular death.Comment: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH) is a rare inherited disorder, which results in extremely elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and premature atheros...

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is a severe disorder caused by genetic mutations in LDLR (encoding the LDL receptor), APOB or PCSK9. LDL-C levels in HoFH are extremely elevated)>400 mg/dL(even in utero, leading to cardiovascular events, and disability or death during childhood and adolescence. Conventional medications have minimal efficacy, since LDL-C levels cannot be reduced through upregulation of hepatic LDL receptors.<p c...

Brief Summary: Research published in the Christmas issue of The BMJ suggests that Christmas desserts from the television show, “The Great British Bake Off”, are more likely to feature ingredients associated with a reduced risk of death or disease, rather than those that increase it.Comment: Do not miss this article from the Christmas edition of The BMJ! The Great British Bake Off is the ultimate baking competition where passionate amateur baker...