Purpose: We aimed to compare the final adult height (FAH) of male patients with central precocious puberty (CPP) after treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa). Specifically, we compared FAH with the target height (TH) and the predicted adult height (PAH) before and after GnRHa treatment to quantify height gain and identify predictive factors. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 92 male patients with CPP and known FAH after GnRHa treatment at the Department of Pediatrics of Severance Children’s Hospital between January 2000 and June 2024. Results: The mean duration of GnRHa treatment was 2.7±1.3 years. A significant 1.1±0.9 years narrowing was observed in the difference between bone age (BA) and chronological age (CA) during treatment (P<0.001). TH was 172.4±3.4 cm. FAH was 173.6±6.4 cm. FAH was greater than TH by 1.2±5.9 cm (P=0.047). PAH before and after treatment was 179.9±8.1 and 181.2±7.4 cm, respectively. PAH was increased by 1.3±4.9 cm (P=0.012) after treatment. As the PAH standard deviation score (SDS) before GnRHa treatment increased, FAH tended to exceed TH. In contrast, higher testosterone levels before treatment are associated with FAH falling below TH. A longer duration of treatment and taller TH are associated with an FAH SDS greater than height SDS before treatment. Conversely, a greater weight SDS, BA–CA difference, and testis size before treatment are associated with FAH SDS being less than height SDS before GnRHa treatment. Conclusion GnRHa treatment improved FAH and inhibited bone maturation in male patients with CPP.

Background: Studies on predictive markers of insulin resistance (IR) and elevated liver transaminases in children and adolescents are limited. We evaluated the predictive capabilities of the single-point insulin sensitivity estimator (SPISE) index, metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), the triglyceride (TG)/ high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, and the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) for IR and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation in this population. Methods: Data from 1,593 participants aged 10 to 18 years were analyzed using a nationwide survey. Logistic regression analysis was performed with IR and ALT elevation as dependent variables. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to assess predictive capability. Proportions of IR and ALT elevation were compared after dividing participants based on parameter cutoff points. Results: All parameters were significantly associated with IR and ALT elevation, even after adjusting for age and sex, and predicted IR and ALT elevation in ROC curves (all P<0.001). The areas under the ROC curve of SPISE and METS-IR were higher than those of TyG and TG/HDL-C for predicting IR and were higher than those of HOMA-IR, TyG, and TG/HDL-C for predicting ALT elevation. The proportions of individuals with IR and ALT elevation were higher among those with METS-IR, TyG, and TG/ HDL-C values higher than the cutoff points, whereas they were lower among those with SPISE higher than the cutoff point. Conclusion SPISE and METS-IR are superior to TG/HDL-C and TyG in predicting IR and ALT elevation. Thus, this study identified valuable predictive markers for young individuals.

Background/Aims: To evaluate the associations between pediatric fatty liver severity, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and magnetic resonance imaging parameters, including total psoas muscle surface area (tPMSA) and paraspinal muscle fat (PMF). Methods: Children and adolescents who underwent BIA and liver magnetic resonance imaging between September 2022 and November 2023 were included. Linear regression analyses identified predictors of liver proton density fat fraction (PDFF) including BIA parameters, tPMSA, and PMF. Ordinal logistic regression analysis identified the association between these parameters and fatty liver grades. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the relationships between tPMSA and muscle-related BIA parameters, and between PMF and fat-related BIA parameters. Results: Overall, 74 participants aged 8 to 16 years were included in the study. In the linear regression analyses, the percentage of body fat was positively associated with PDFF in all participants, whereas muscle-related BIA parameters were negatively associated with PDFF in participants with obesity. PMF and the PMF index were positively associated with PDFF in normalweight and overweight participants. In the ordinal logistic regression, percentage of body fat was positively associated with fatty liver grade in normal-weight and overweight participants and those with obesity, whereas muscle-related BIA parameters were negatively associated with fatty liver grade in participants with obesity. The PMF index was positively associated with fatty liver grade in normal/overweight participants. In the Pearson correlation analysis, muscle-related BIA parameters were correlated with tPMSA, and the fat-related BIA parameters were correlated with PMF. Conclusions BIA parameters and PMF are potential screening tools for assessing fatty liver in children.

Background: Studies on predictive markers of insulin resistance (IR) and elevated liver transaminases in children and adolescents are limited. We evaluated the predictive capabilities of the single-point insulin sensitivity estimator (SPISE) index, metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), the triglyceride (TG)/ high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, and the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) for IR and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation in this population. Methods: Data from 1,593 participants aged 10 to 18 years were analyzed using a nationwide survey. Logistic regression analysis was performed with IR and ALT elevation as dependent variables. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to assess predictive capability. Proportions of IR and ALT elevation were compared after dividing participants based on parameter cutoff points. Results: All parameters were significantly associated with IR and ALT elevation, even after adjusting for age and sex, and predicted IR and ALT elevation in ROC curves (all P<0.001). The areas under the ROC curve of SPISE and METS-IR were higher than those of TyG and TG/HDL-C for predicting IR and were higher than those of HOMA-IR, TyG, and TG/HDL-C for predicting ALT elevation. The proportions of individuals with IR and ALT elevation were higher among those with METS-IR, TyG, and TG/ HDL-C values higher than the cutoff points, whereas they were lower among those with SPISE higher than the cutoff point. Conclusion SPISE and METS-IR are superior to TG/HDL-C and TyG in predicting IR and ALT elevation. Thus, this study identified valuable predictive markers for young individuals.

Background/Aims: To evaluate the associations between pediatric fatty liver severity, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and magnetic resonance imaging parameters, including total psoas muscle surface area (tPMSA) and paraspinal muscle fat (PMF). Methods: Children and adolescents who underwent BIA and liver magnetic resonance imaging between September 2022 and November 2023 were included. Linear regression analyses identified predictors of liver proton density fat fraction (PDFF) including BIA parameters, tPMSA, and PMF. Ordinal logistic regression analysis identified the association between these parameters and fatty liver grades. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the relationships between tPMSA and muscle-related BIA parameters, and between PMF and fat-related BIA parameters. Results: Overall, 74 participants aged 8 to 16 years were included in the study. In the linear regression analyses, the percentage of body fat was positively associated with PDFF in all participants, whereas muscle-related BIA parameters were negatively associated with PDFF in participants with obesity. PMF and the PMF index were positively associated with PDFF in normalweight and overweight participants. In the ordinal logistic regression, percentage of body fat was positively associated with fatty liver grade in normal-weight and overweight participants and those with obesity, whereas muscle-related BIA parameters were negatively associated with fatty liver grade in participants with obesity. The PMF index was positively associated with fatty liver grade in normal/overweight participants. In the Pearson correlation analysis, muscle-related BIA parameters were correlated with tPMSA, and the fat-related BIA parameters were correlated with PMF. Conclusions BIA parameters and PMF are potential screening tools for assessing fatty liver in children.

Background: Studies on predictive markers of insulin resistance (IR) and elevated liver transaminases in children and adolescents are limited. We evaluated the predictive capabilities of the single-point insulin sensitivity estimator (SPISE) index, metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), the triglyceride (TG)/ high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, and the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) for IR and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation in this population. Methods: Data from 1,593 participants aged 10 to 18 years were analyzed using a nationwide survey. Logistic regression analysis was performed with IR and ALT elevation as dependent variables. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to assess predictive capability. Proportions of IR and ALT elevation were compared after dividing participants based on parameter cutoff points. Results: All parameters were significantly associated with IR and ALT elevation, even after adjusting for age and sex, and predicted IR and ALT elevation in ROC curves (all P<0.001). The areas under the ROC curve of SPISE and METS-IR were higher than those of TyG and TG/HDL-C for predicting IR and were higher than those of HOMA-IR, TyG, and TG/HDL-C for predicting ALT elevation. The proportions of individuals with IR and ALT elevation were higher among those with METS-IR, TyG, and TG/ HDL-C values higher than the cutoff points, whereas they were lower among those with SPISE higher than the cutoff point. Conclusion SPISE and METS-IR are superior to TG/HDL-C and TyG in predicting IR and ALT elevation. Thus, this study identified valuable predictive markers for young individuals.

Background/Aims: To evaluate the associations between pediatric fatty liver severity, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and magnetic resonance imaging parameters, including total psoas muscle surface area (tPMSA) and paraspinal muscle fat (PMF). Methods: Children and adolescents who underwent BIA and liver magnetic resonance imaging between September 2022 and November 2023 were included. Linear regression analyses identified predictors of liver proton density fat fraction (PDFF) including BIA parameters, tPMSA, and PMF. Ordinal logistic regression analysis identified the association between these parameters and fatty liver grades. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the relationships between tPMSA and muscle-related BIA parameters, and between PMF and fat-related BIA parameters. Results: Overall, 74 participants aged 8 to 16 years were included in the study. In the linear regression analyses, the percentage of body fat was positively associated with PDFF in all participants, whereas muscle-related BIA parameters were negatively associated with PDFF in participants with obesity. PMF and the PMF index were positively associated with PDFF in normalweight and overweight participants. In the ordinal logistic regression, percentage of body fat was positively associated with fatty liver grade in normal-weight and overweight participants and those with obesity, whereas muscle-related BIA parameters were negatively associated with fatty liver grade in participants with obesity. The PMF index was positively associated with fatty liver grade in normal/overweight participants. In the Pearson correlation analysis, muscle-related BIA parameters were correlated with tPMSA, and the fat-related BIA parameters were correlated with PMF. Conclusions BIA parameters and PMF are potential screening tools for assessing fatty liver in children.

Background: Studies on predictive markers of insulin resistance (IR) and elevated liver transaminases in children and adolescents are limited. We evaluated the predictive capabilities of the single-point insulin sensitivity estimator (SPISE) index, metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), the triglyceride (TG)/ high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, and the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) for IR and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation in this population. Methods: Data from 1,593 participants aged 10 to 18 years were analyzed using a nationwide survey. Logistic regression analysis was performed with IR and ALT elevation as dependent variables. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to assess predictive capability. Proportions of IR and ALT elevation were compared after dividing participants based on parameter cutoff points. Results: All parameters were significantly associated with IR and ALT elevation, even after adjusting for age and sex, and predicted IR and ALT elevation in ROC curves (all P<0.001). The areas under the ROC curve of SPISE and METS-IR were higher than those of TyG and TG/HDL-C for predicting IR and were higher than those of HOMA-IR, TyG, and TG/HDL-C for predicting ALT elevation. The proportions of individuals with IR and ALT elevation were higher among those with METS-IR, TyG, and TG/ HDL-C values higher than the cutoff points, whereas they were lower among those with SPISE higher than the cutoff point. Conclusion SPISE and METS-IR are superior to TG/HDL-C and TyG in predicting IR and ALT elevation. Thus, this study identified valuable predictive markers for young individuals.

Background/Aims: To evaluate the associations between pediatric fatty liver severity, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and magnetic resonance imaging parameters, including total psoas muscle surface area (tPMSA) and paraspinal muscle fat (PMF). Methods: Children and adolescents who underwent BIA and liver magnetic resonance imaging between September 2022 and November 2023 were included. Linear regression analyses identified predictors of liver proton density fat fraction (PDFF) including BIA parameters, tPMSA, and PMF. Ordinal logistic regression analysis identified the association between these parameters and fatty liver grades. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the relationships between tPMSA and muscle-related BIA parameters, and between PMF and fat-related BIA parameters. Results: Overall, 74 participants aged 8 to 16 years were included in the study. In the linear regression analyses, the percentage of body fat was positively associated with PDFF in all participants, whereas muscle-related BIA parameters were negatively associated with PDFF in participants with obesity. PMF and the PMF index were positively associated with PDFF in normalweight and overweight participants. In the ordinal logistic regression, percentage of body fat was positively associated with fatty liver grade in normal-weight and overweight participants and those with obesity, whereas muscle-related BIA parameters were negatively associated with fatty liver grade in participants with obesity. The PMF index was positively associated with fatty liver grade in normal/overweight participants. In the Pearson correlation analysis, muscle-related BIA parameters were correlated with tPMSA, and the fat-related BIA parameters were correlated with PMF. Conclusions BIA parameters and PMF are potential screening tools for assessing fatty liver in children.

Purpose: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used for assessing the morphology of the pituitary gland in children with short stature. The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine if pituitary volume (PV) can distinguish patients with growth hormone (GH) deficiency from those with idiopathic short stature (ISS), (2) to validate an association between PV and severity of GH deficiency, and (3) to compare PV between good and poor response groups in children with GH deficiency or ISS after 1 year of treatment. Methods: Data were collected from the medical records of 152 children with GH deficiency or ISS who underwent GH stimulation test, sella MRI, and GH treatment for at least 1 year. Estimated PVs were calculated using the formula of an ellipsoid. We compared the PVs in patients with GH deficiency with those of patients with ISS. In addition, we assessed the association between PV and severity of GH deficiency, and we assessed growth response after treatment. Results: No difference was observed in PV between patients with GH deficiency and those with ISS. The severity of the GH deficiency seemed to be associated with PV (P=0.082), and the height of the pituitary gland was associated with severity of GH deficiency (P<0.005). The PV in the good response group was less than that of the poor response group in patients with GH deficiency (P<0.005), and PV showed no association with responsiveness to GH treatment in patients with ISS (P=0.073). Conclusion The measurement of PV cannot be used for differential diagnosis between GH deficiency and ISS. In patients with GH deficiency, PV tended to be smaller as the severity of GH deficiency increased, but the difference was not significant. PV may be a good response predictor for GH treatment. Further studies, including a radiomics-based approach, will be helpful in elucidating the clinical implications of pituitary morphology in patients with short stature.