Long-acting growth hormones: innovations in treatment and guidance on patient selection in pediatric growth hormone deficiency.

Long-acting growth hormones (LAGHs) represent a significant advancement in the treatment of pediatric growth hormone deficiency (GHD), offering an alternative to daily recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy. Traditional rhGH treatments, while effective, require daily injections, often leading to poor adherence due to the frequency of dosing, injection pain, and difficulties with storage and travel. In contrast, LAGHs, such as somatrogon, somapacitan, and lonapegsomatropin, are designed for once-weekly administration, improving patient compliance and quality of life.

Long-term safety and effectiveness of a somatropin biosimilar (Omnitrope) in children requiring growth hormone therapy: analysis of final data of Italian patients enrolled in the PATRO children study.

Purpose: Omnitrope (a somatropin biosimilar), used to treat growth disturbances, is considered to have a good safety profile in children. Here, we present the analysis of final data of the Italian cohort of the PAtients TReated with Omnitrope (PATRO) Children study.

Methods: This multicenter, open-label, longitudinal, post-marketing surveillance study enrolled eligible children during 2010-2018.

Perceptions and understanding of family pediatricians regarding the new Italian Type 1 Diabetes screening program.

Aims: Italy is the first country to implement a nationwide Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) screening program aimed at reducing cases of diabetic ketoacidosis and potentially delaying disease progression through early interventions. This study assesses the knowledge, perceptions, and willingness of family pediatricians (FPs) to participate in this program.

Methods: An anonymous online survey was conducted among 113 FPs in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, an area not included in the initial pilot study.

Minimizing unnecessary brain magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric endocrinology: a retrospective cohort analysis.

Background: Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is mandatory or highly recommended in many pediatric endocrinological conditions to detect causative anatomic anomalies and rule out neoplastic lesions. However, MRI can also show findings associated with the underlying clinical condition, as well as unrelated "incidentalomas". These latter findings are often abnormalities with a high incidence in the general population for which there is no clear literature regarding their management, especially in pediatric patients.