MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by silencing or degrading messenger RNAs. Many of the approximately 2,500 miRNAs discovered in humans are known to regulate vital biological processes, including cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and embryonic tissue development. Aberrant miRNA expression may have pathological and malignant consequences. Therefore, miRNAs have emerged as novel diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets for various diseases. Children undergo various stages of growth, development, and maturation between birth and adulthood. It is important to study the role of miRNA expression in normal growth and disease development during these developmental stages. In this mini-review, we discuss the role of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in various pediatric diseases.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by silencing or degrading messenger RNAs. Many of the approximately 2,500 miRNAs discovered in humans are known to regulate vital biological processes, including cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and embryonic tissue development. Aberrant miRNA expression may have pathological and malignant consequences. Therefore, miRNAs have emerged as novel diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets for various diseases. Children undergo various stages of growth, development, and maturation between birth and adulthood. It is important to study the role of miRNA expression in normal growth and disease development during these developmental stages. In this mini-review, we discuss the role of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in various pediatric diseases.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by silencing or degrading messenger RNAs. Many of the approximately 2,500 miRNAs discovered in humans are known to regulate vital biological processes, including cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and embryonic tissue development. Aberrant miRNA expression may have pathological and malignant consequences. Therefore, miRNAs have emerged as novel diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets for various diseases. Children undergo various stages of growth, development, and maturation between birth and adulthood. It is important to study the role of miRNA expression in normal growth and disease development during these developmental stages. In this mini-review, we discuss the role of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in various pediatric diseases.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by silencing or degrading messenger RNAs. Many of the approximately 2,500 miRNAs discovered in humans are known to regulate vital biological processes, including cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and embryonic tissue development. Aberrant miRNA expression may have pathological and malignant consequences. Therefore, miRNAs have emerged as novel diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets for various diseases. Children undergo various stages of growth, development, and maturation between birth and adulthood. It is important to study the role of miRNA expression in normal growth and disease development during these developmental stages. In this mini-review, we discuss the role of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in various pediatric diseases.

MicroRNA (miRNA) are small, noncoding RNA molecules that play pivotal roles in gene expression, various biological processes, and development of disease. MiRNAs exhibit distinct expression patterns depending on time points and tissues, indicating their relevance to the development, differentiation, and somatic growth of organisms. MiRNAs are also involved in puberty onset and fertility. Although puberty is a universal stage in the life cycles of most organisms, the precise mechanisms initiating this process remain elusive. Genetic, hormonal, nutritional, environmental, and epigenetic factors are presumed contributors. The intricate regulation of puberty during growth also suggests that miRNAs are involved. This study aims to provide insight into the understanding of miRNAs roles in the initiation of puberty by reviewing the existing research.

Neonatal hyperinsulinism, whether permanent or transient, results in prolonged hypoglycemia, which increases the risk of hypoglycemic brain injury. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and management of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia is important. Drawing a “critical sample” at the time of hypoglycemia is useful for diagnosis. Genetic testing for defective insulin-regulating genes in pancreatic beta-cells might also be helpful in cases of prolonged hypoglycemia. High-calorie feeding or glucose infusion is necessary to maintain normoglycemia. Diazoxide is the treatment of choice for hyperinsulinism and should be continued until the hypoglycemia resolves. We describe a case of transient neonatal hyperinsulinemia hypoglycemia in a small-for-gestational-age preterm infant who underwent diazoxide treatment and achieved a favorable outcome.

Neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) is defined as hyperglycemia that persists for more than 2 weeks and requires insulin therapy. NDM principally occurs before 6 months of age. Transient NDM (TNDM) is a clinical form of NDM that persists for a median of 12 weeks and resolves completely by 18 months. However, it may relapse as type 2 DM during early adulthood. The major causes of TNDM are mutations in chromosome 6q24 or the KCNJ11 or ABCC8 genes; the latter encode the two subunits of the pancreatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium channel (KATP-channel). This condition responds well to oral sulfonylurea therapy. Herein, we report a neonate who was small for gestational age and exhibited TNDM symptoms. Genetic analysis revealed a nonspecific mutation in ABCC8; he was successfully treated with oral sulfonylurea.

PURPOSE: We studied the changes in subtypes of diabetes mellitus (DM) in children and evaluated the characteristics of each group over the past 20 years. In addition, we also examined the correlation between the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values at the time of diagnosis and lipid profiles. METHODS: The patients were divided into 2 groups: there were a total of 190 patients under 20 years of age firstly diagnosed with DM in Ajou University Hospital. The patients in groups I and II were diagnosed from September 1995 to December 2004 and from January 2005 to April 2014, respectively. RESULTS: The characteristics were compared between the 2 groups of patients. The result showed an increase in percentage of type 2 diabetes and maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) patients between the 2 groups. HbA1c and total cholesterol level had statistical significances to explain increasing the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level among age, HbA1c, total cholesterol level, and z-scores of weight and body mass index (BMI) in type 2 diabetes. R-square was 0.074. However, z-score of BMI and total cholesterol level, not HbA1c, had statistical significances in type 1 diabetic patients. R-square was 0.323. CONCLUSION: The increase in the proportions of both type 2 diabetes and MODY in the last 10 years needed to be reminded when diagnosing the subtypes of DM, and the dyslipidemia should be attended more as a common problem of pediatric diabetic patients.
Adolescent ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Cholesterol ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diagnosis ; Dyslipidemias ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Lipoproteins

PURPOSE: We studied the changes in subtypes of diabetes mellitus (DM) in children and evaluated the characteristics of each group over the past 20 years. In addition, we also examined the correlation between the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values at the time of diagnosis and lipid profiles. METHODS: The patients were divided into 2 groups: there were a total of 190 patients under 20 years of age firstly diagnosed with DM in Ajou University Hospital. The patients in groups I and II were diagnosed from September 1995 to December 2004 and from January 2005 to April 2014, respectively. RESULTS: The characteristics were compared between the 2 groups of patients. The result showed an increase in percentage of type 2 diabetes and maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) patients between the 2 groups. HbA1c and total cholesterol level had statistical significances to explain increasing the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level among age, HbA1c, total cholesterol level, and z-scores of weight and body mass index (BMI) in type 2 diabetes. R-square was 0.074. However, z-score of BMI and total cholesterol level, not HbA1c, had statistical significances in type 1 diabetic patients. R-square was 0.323. CONCLUSION: The increase in the proportions of both type 2 diabetes and MODY in the last 10 years needed to be reminded when diagnosing the subtypes of DM, and the dyslipidemia should be attended more as a common problem of pediatric diabetic patients.
Adolescent ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Cholesterol ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diagnosis ; Dyslipidemias ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Lipoproteins