Endocrinopathies in paediatric-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder with aquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibody
Hacohen Y., Messina S., Gan H-W., Wright S., Chandratre S., Leite MI., Fallon P., Vincent A., Ciccarelli O., Wassmer E., Lim M., Palace J., Hemingway C.
<jats:p> The involvement of the diencephalic regions in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) may lead to endocrinopathies. In this study, we identified the following endocrinopathies in 60% (15/25) of young people with paediatric-onset aquaporin 4-Antibody (AQP4-Ab) NMOSD: morbid obesity ( n = 8), hyperinsulinaemia ( n = 5), hyperandrogenism ( n = 5), amenorrhoea ( n = 5), hyponatraemia ( n = 4), short stature ( n = 3) and central hypothyroidism ( n = 2) irrespective of hypothalamic lesions. Morbid obesity was seen in 88% (7/8) of children of Caribbean origin. As endocrinopathies were prevalent in the majority of paediatric-onset AQP4-Ab NMOSD, endocrine surveillance and in particular early aggressive weight management is required for patients with AQP4-Ab NMOSD. </jats:p>