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Introduction Several studies on obese youths and adults have reported increased hepcidin levels, which seems to be related to metabolic and iron metabolism alterations. The complete mechanisms involved in hepcidin increase remain to be elucidated, and particularly its role in the development of other known complications such as Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). NAFLD in prepubertal children might be of special interest in understanding the underlying mechanisms. Methods Anthropometric measurements, liver ultrasonography, lipid profile, liver function, oxidative stress, inflammatory state, and iron metabolism were studied in 42 obese prepubertal children and 33 healthy controls. We, therefore, evaluated the presence of possible correlations between Hepcidin and the other metabolic variables, and the possible association between NAFLD and iron metabolism. Results Hepcidin levels were significantly increased in the obese prepubertal children (p=0.001) with significant differences between obese children with and without NAFLD (p=0.01). Blood iron was lower in obese children (p=0.009). In the obese group, a negative correlation between hepcidin and both blood iron levels (p=0.01) and LagPHASE (p=0.02) was found. In addition, a positive association between hepcidin and NAFLD (p=0.03) was detected. Conclusions We suggest that an increase in hepcidin levels may represent an early step in iron metabolism derangements and metabolic alterations, including NAFLD, in prepubertal obese children.

Many etiological factors causing short stature have already been identified in humans. In the last few years, the advent of new techniques for the detection of chromosomal and molecular abnormalities has made it possible to better identify patients with genetic causes of growth failure. Some of these factors directly affect the development and growth of the skeleton, since they damage the epiphyseal growth plate, where linear growth occurs, influencing chondrogenesis. In particular, defects in genes involved in the organization and function of the growth plate are responsible for several well-known conditions with short stature. These genes play a pivotal role in various mechanisms involving the extracellular matrix, intracellular signaling, paracrine signaling, endocrine signaling, and epigenetic regulation. In this review, we will discuss the genes involved in extracellular matrix disorders. The identification of genetic defects in linear growth failure is important for clinicians and researchers in order to improve the care of children affected by growth disorders.

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Disorders of sexual development (DSDs) are characterized by a heterogeneous group of congenital conditions associated with atypical development of the sex chromosomes, gonadal or anatomical sex. We report the case of a child with an isolated micropenis, a typical feature of the 46,XY DSD showing low basal testosterone levels and post-stimulation with the hCG test. Molecular analysis using a next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel of 50 genes involved in DSDs was performed, revealing a heterozygous mutation, c.1040G > ANM_000102.4, in the CYP17A1 gene. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the gene variant detected by NGS; it was also performed to his parents, revealing the presence of the same mutation in the mother, who presented no features of the disease. Then, the serum steroid profile was determined by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Interestingly, this analysis highlighted low levels of testosterone, progesterone, and dehydroepiandrostenedione, as also confirmed by a stimulus test with ACTH. These results suggest that, in some cases, heterozygous mutations in recessive genes involved in adrenal steroidogenesis can also affect the patient’s phenotype.