Objective:To provide a normal reference range for anogenital distance (AGD) in full-term neonates and to investigate factors possibly affecting neonatal AGD.Methods:Neonates with gestational age ≥37 weeks who were delivered in the Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from November 2017 to March 2019 were enrolled.General information on mothers and newborns were collected and neonatal AGD were measured.The distance from the male anus center to the base of the scrotum was determined to be the male AGD, and the distance from the female anus center to the posterior labia was recorded as the female AGD.The effects of maternal and neonatal factors on neonatal AGD were analyzed.Results:A total of 1 078 newborns were included, including 586 males and 492 females.Male AGD [(22.90±3.80) mm] was significantly greater than female AGD [(11.80±2.10) mm] ( t=22.316, P<0.05). The AGD of singleton neonates was significantly greater than that of neonatal twins [males: (23.01±3.82) mm vs.(21.18±1.88) mm, females: (11.89±2.08) mm vs.(10.98±1.75) mm, t=26.185, 18.326, all P<0.05]. Neonatal gestational age, birth weight, head circumference and length were significantly associated with AGD (all P<0.05). Maternal factors (including age, height, weight, body mass index, gravidity, parity, occupation, etc.) were not significantly associated with neonatal AGD (all P>0.05). The AGD of 10 children with genital malformation was significantly smaller than that of males with normal genital appearance [(22.89±1.99) mm vs.(23.55±3.78) mm]( t=15.362, P=0.006). Conclusions:The reference ranges of AGD in full-term males and females in Shanghai are(22.90±3.80) mm and (11.80±2.10) mm, respectively.The neonatal gestational age, birth weight, head circumference and length may be the intrinsic factors affecting neonatal AGD.

Objective:To detect the known hotspot mutations of GNAS in children with McCune-Albrigtht syndrome(MAS) by droplet digital PCR, and to explore its application value in the diagnosis of MAS.Methods:A total of 122 children with MAS were enrolled in the pediatric department of Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Shanghai Jiaotong University. For the known mutation hotspot of GNAS gene (R201H/C), dd-PCR, real-time fluorescent pyrophosphatic activation polymerase reaction (PAP) and second-generation sequencing were used to detect the presence of gene mutation and to analyse the relevance with the clinical features.Results:GNAS gene mutation was detected in 89 out of 122 children with MAS and 57 cases were found to have mutations. The positive rates of ddPCR, PAP, and second generation sequencing were 77.42%, 29.03%, and 56.25%, respectively. The GNAS gene mutation was detected in all classical triad patients. Among them, the positive rates of ddPCR in peripheral blood of typical and atypical children were 100% and 73.1% respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the other two methods. The detection rate of GNAS mutation in precocious puberty with bone lesions was higher than that in precocious puberty with skin lesions, suggesting that fibrous dysplasia with precocious puberty is an important basis for clinical diagnosis of MAS in children.Conclusion:Precocious puberty is the most common endocrine manifestation of MAS in children. Bone fibrous dysplasia with precocious puberty is an important factor in clinical diagnosis. ddPCR has high sensitivity, which can be helpful for molecular diagnosis of MAS.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the third-generation aromatase inhibitor letrozole in the treatment of McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) girls with peripheral precocious puberty. METHODS: Twenty-one MAS girls with peripheral precocious puberty treated in Pediatrics Department of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from March 2012 to June 2017 were enrolled in the study. Patients presented with repeated vaginal bleeding, premature breast enlargement, café-au-lait spots or dysplasia of bone fibers, and low levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH); and the congenital adrenal hyperplasia, estrogen-producing tumors, and exogenous estrogen intake were excluded. Letrozole were administrated at a dose of 0.5-2 mg·m ·d for 6 to 12 months. The patients were observed for changes in breast staging, vaginal bleeding, sex hormone levels, liver function and bone age changes, and changes in uterine and ovarian volume. RESULTS: After treatment, bone age/chronological age (BA/CA)was decreased from 1.23±0.30 to 1.11±0.18 ( < 0.01); the predicted adult height (PAH) increased from (156.2±5.9)cm to (158.4±2.1)cm after treatment ( < 0.05); the vaginal bleeding was reduced and the estradiol level decreased, while the teststosterone level and the uterus showed no significant increase, and no adverse reactions such as ovarian torsion and abnormal liver function were observed. CONCLUSIONS Precocious puberty is one of the most common endocrine manifestations in MAS. Our findings suggest that letrozole may be an effective and safe therapy to precocious puberty in girls with McCune-Albright Syndrome.
Aromatase Inhibitors ; Child ; China ; Female ; Fibrous Dysplasia, Polyostotic ; Humans ; Letrozole ; Puberty, Precocious

Objective: To investigate the long-term effects of GnRHa treatment on final height gain, gonadal function, and body mass index(BMI) in children with central precocious puberty(CPP) or early and fast puberty(EFP), and to explore the influencing factors of height gain and early predictors. Methods: Fifty patients with CPP and 44 patients with EFP who were treated with GnRHa for more than 2 years were enrolled(80 females and 14 males). Body height, bone age, BMI, gonads hormone, uterus and ovarian volumes(female), testicular volume(male), and other parameters before and after treatment were measured. Results: (1)For girls: GnRHa plus GH treatment gained more final height compared with GnRHa treatment [(10.69±5.73) cm vs (7.42±5.76) cm, P<0.05]. Height lost >5cm at the initial treatment benefited much more for the final height compared with height lost<5cm [(10.65±3.32) cm vs (6.51±3.40) cm, P<0.01]. The proportion of overweight/obesity decreased when reaching the final height compared with the initial treatment and stopping the treatment. Serum LH level, uterine and ovarian volume were significantly decreased after stopping treatment compared with before treatment, and increased half a year to 1 year after stopping treatment.100% of girls had menarche and 95% reached the regular cycle 3 years after stopping treatment.(2)For boys: GnRHa plus GH treatment and GnRHa treatment gained height by(8.78±5.2) and(7.99±4.82) cm, respectively. Serum LH level and testicular volume were significantly decreased after stopping treatment as compared with those before treatment, and increased for half a year to 1 year after stopping treatment. Conclusion GnRHa treatment can significantly improve the final height for girls with CPP and EFP. The patients with more height lost could gain more height, which can be used as a predictor of height gain.

Objective To explore the etiology and clinical characteristics of short stature. Method Clinical data of 2075 children with short stature treated from May 1995 to July 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The etiology and morbidity of pathological short stature and normal variant short stature were analyzed. The clinical characteristics of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) , idiopathic short stature (ISS) , constitutional delay in growth (CDG) and familial short stature (FSS) were analyzed. The etiological differences between severe short stature [height standard deviation score (SDS) ≤-3] and general short stature (height SDS＞-3) were analyzed. Results Among 2075 children diagnosed with short stature, 1719 (82.84％) were pathological short stature, among which GHD (38.60％) and ISS (22.02％) were more common. Normal variant short stature was found in 356 children (17.16％) , with FSS and CDG accounting for 10.70％ and 6.46％ respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the sex ratio, age at initial diagnosis, height SDS, body mass index (BMI) , bone age and bone age delay among children with four common childhood short stature (GHD, ISS, CDG and FSS) (all P＜0.01) . Boys were more than girls in four kinds of childhood short stature. The height SDS was the lowest in GHD group and the highest in CDG group; BMI was highest in GHD group, but lower in CDG and ISS group. Bone age delay was highest in GHD group and lowest in CDG group. In severe short stature group, the rates of complete GHD, multiple pituitary hormone deficiency, small for gestational age infant, Turner syndrome, hypothyroidism and Russell-Silver syndrome were higher than those in general short stature group, but the rates of partial GHD, ISS, FSS and CDG was lower than those in general short stature group. Conclusion The etiology of short stature is complex. Analysis of the etiology and clinical features is helpful for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

PTPN11 is the most common mutation gene of RAS disease, which is located in the upstream of RAS/MAPK pathway and participates in signal transduction. Because the molecular mechanism of RAS's disease involves the same pathway, it may present a certain commonality in clinic, but the different genotypes with PTPN11 mutation may also express different phenotypes. Therefore, it is not easy to identify and diagnose this disease early in clinic. The present article aims to analyze the correlation between the clinical phenotype and genotype of 4 patients with RAS disease.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and molecular pathological mechanism of McCune-Albright syndrome ( MAS) in order to provide a guidance for the precision medicine of MAS. Method The clinical data and genetic findings of 41 patients with MAS were analyzed retrospectively. Results (1) MAS girls had the phenotype of peripheral precocious puberty with premature sexual development and high estradiol, low LH and FSH, and the increased volume of uterus and ovary. ( 2 ) In 41 MAS cases, there were 17 cases with GNAS1 gene mutation, and the total positive rate was 41. 5%, of which the classic triad was 66. 7%, two signs 56. 3%, and 12. 5% in only one classic sign. GNAS1 gene mutation was found in 78. 6% of patients with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia of bone, while only 55. 0% in patients with cafe au lait skin spots. Children with precocious puberty and fibrous dysplasia of bone is an important basis for clinical diagnosis of MAS, but cafe au lait skin spots does not seem to be the specifical manifestation of MAS. Conclusion Clinically MAS was lack of typical clinical manifestations, and the most important clinical weight factor for the diagnosis of MAS was peripheral precocious puberty with fibrous dysplasia of bone. GNAS1 gene screening may be helpful to improve the clinical accurate diagnosis of MAS.

Objective To explore the clinical manifestations and molecular features of 46,XX male syndrome.Method The clinical and molecular data of five 46,XX male syndrome cases treated in the Department of Pediatrics of Shanghai Ruijin Hospital form August 2010 to August 2014 were retrospectively analyzed.Result The five patients were all sociopsychologically males and came to hospital respectively for short stature,ambiguous genitalia or gynecomastia.They were all below the normal male’s average height,and their karyotype was all 46,XX.One case in five was verified as sex determining region of Y chromosome (SRY gene) positive revealed no abnormality in their external genitalia.He had short stature since childhood,whose SRY gene fragments were shown by FISH transferred to the ends of X chromosome.Three cases in four were SRY gene negative with ambiguous genitalia of cryptorchidism and testicular dysplasia to different degrees.The copy number variations of SOX9 gene was found in one case,the loss of heterozygosity area in DHH gene of one case.Another SRY gene negative patient who had normal male external genitalia,came to the hospital due to puberty gynecomastia,that of SOX9 gene and its upstream gene both increased.Conclusion The main clinical characteristics of 46,XX male syndrome are male phenotype,46,XX karyotype,gonad of testis or ovotestis and no uterus.In addition,short stature,ambiguous genitalia or gynecomastia can be one reason for hospital visits.SRY gene translocation,SOX9 gene and its upstream gene copy number increase all can lead to 46,XX male syndrome.The cause of some may play an important role in 46,XX male syndrome,but has not yet been determined.

Objective To detect the relationship between the molecular defects and their phenotypes in children with growth hormone insensitivity syndrome (GHIS).Methods 21 patients defined as GHIS were enrolled in the study.4 candidate genes (GHR,IGFALS,JAK2,and STAT5B) were analyzed by genomic DNA sequence screening and clinical relevance analysis.Results The statistical descriptions of the patients were showed as an average height standard deviation (SDS)-4.33 ± 1.91 (-9.17 to-2.21),average serum peak values of GH (22.67 ±20.98) tg/L (11.33 to 104.21 μg/L),basal serum insulin-like growth factor-Ⅰ SDS-2.65 ± 0.53 (-3.57 to -1.79),insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 SDS-1.77 ± 1.64 (-4.13 to 0.96).Bone age of backward difference (chronological age-bone age) (43.10 ± 19.54) months (6 to 82 months).One of two children with severe growth failure and mid-face hypoplasia was found to a homozygote for G to A gene mutation in the intron 6 splice donor consensus sequences (IVS6 ds+ 1 G-A) in the GHR gene,causing its functional defect.3 cases with mild dwarf were found gene variations as novel finding:c.1097T＞C c.1098C＞T p.V366A pathogenic variant,c.1229C＞T p.S410L and nt1843707 A→G of 5' UTR region in the IGFALS gene.JAK2 and STAT5b genes mutations were not found.Conclusion Molecular pathology of GHIS is considered as involving the defects of GHR and its signal pathway.The mutation of intron 6 splice donor sequences in GHR gene has been reported which affect the function of GHR.The 3 novel type base variants in IGFALS gene,causing non severe dwarfism,might be suspected with pathogenic roles of GHIS.

Objective To explore the causes of ambiguous genitalia.Methods Clinical data of 106 cases with ambiguous genitalia from Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine were retrospectively analyzed.DNA fragments of related genes from parts of patients were amplified by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and were directly sequenced to detect gene mutations.Results (1)The 106 ambiguous genitalia patients presented a variety of clinical phenotypes.Karyotype of 42 cases(39.6％)were 46,XX,while 62 cases(58.5％)were 46,XY and 2 cases(1.9％)were abnormal.(2)Forty(95.2％)patients with 46,XX were diagnosed with congenital adrenal hyperplasia(CAH) ;one case(2.4％) was adrenal cortical tumor and one case (2.4％) was 46,XX [sex determining region of Y choromosome (SRY) positive] male syndrome.(3) Fifty-three cases (85.5 ％) out of 46,XY karyotype were directly sequenced with steroid-5-alpha-reductase,alpha polypeptide 2 gene (SRD5A2),androgen receptor gene (AR) and steroidogenic factor-1 gene(SF-1).Sequencing analysis of SRD5A2 revealed 8 patients with compound heterozygous or homozygous mutations.A patient carried a novel missense mutation of SF-1 and another patient had a mutation of AR.(4) One abnormal karyotype was 46,XX/46,XY and the other was 46,XX/46,XY/46,X.+ may.ish (DYZ3 +) (DXZ1-).Conclusions (1) CAH is the most common cause of genital ambiguity in 46,XX patients but some rare causes such as adrenal cortical tumors or SRY positive should not be ignored.(2) To find the causes of 46,XY genital ambiguity,direct DNA sequencing analysis of candidate genes would be the better choice because of the complicate pathogenesis.(3)Abnormal karyotype also can lead to ambiguous genitalia.