ESPE Abstracts (2014) 82 P-D-3-3-786

ESPE2014 Poster Category 3 Fat Metabolism & Obesity (2) (13 abstracts)

Hypothalamic Obesity in Children and Adolescents: a Multi-Disciplinary Approach and Novel Therapeutic Tools

Daniele Tessaris a , Antonella Tuscano a , Ivana Rabbone a , Antonella Lezo b , Giorgia Fenocchio c , Fabio Broglio d , Alessandra Spinardi e , Roberto Lala a & Patrizia Matarazzo a


aPediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Regina Margherita Children Hospital, University of Turin, Torino, Italy; bPediatric Clinical Nutrition, Regina Margherita Children Hospital, University of Turin, Torino, Italy; cClinical Psychology, Regina Margherita Children Hospital, Torino, Italy; dEndocrinology, Health and Science City, University of Turin, Torino, Italy; eSUISM, University of Turin, Torino, Italy


Background: Hypothalamic obesity (HO), due to midline congenital malformations, genetic diseases or hypothalamo-hypophysis tumours, is severe and difficult to treat. Patients are scarcely compliant to diet and physical activity, for disabilities often affecting them. Drugs have been rarely employed.

Objective and hypotheses: Aim of the study was to treat hypopituitaric children and adolescents affected by severe HO with a multidisciplinary approach including endocrine, dietary, physical exercise, psychological measures and, in case of failure, pharmacological and surgical treatment.

Method: Fourteen hypopituitary (five congenital and nine acquired) subjects (six males and eight females), age range from 8 to 16 years, have been enrolled between July 2013 and February 2014. At 0–3–6 months, height, weight, BMI, serum glucose, insulin, triglycerides, cholesterol, and HOMA-index have been evaluated. At time 0 they received: personalized diet, USB digital support monitoring daily physical exercise, psychological evaluation. Therapeutic efficacy was defined after 6 months: ‘good’ in case of BMI improvement; ‘inefficacy’ in case of BMI worsening and/or HOMA index >4. In the four not responsive adolescents, we employed metphormine (500 mg twice/daily) for 3 months, when they were re-evaluated and shifted to GLP-analogue if still not responsive.

Results: Time 0: 14/14 BMI >90° (of whom 11>97°), HOMA >4 in 3/14 patients. At 3 months: 2/10 BMI stability or reduction and/or HOMA improvement. At 6 months: 0/5 BMI stability or reduction and/or HOMA improvement, 4/5 started metphormine treatment. After 3 months of metphormine treatment 2/4 showed BMI stability or reduction and/or HOMA improvement. Patients that are not responsive are starting GLP-analogue. The follow-up of the other patients is ongoing.

Conclusion: Multidisciplinary approach to HO including physical exercise, diet, psychological support and drugs can give partial favourable results in these challenging condition. This kind of treatment should be started as soon as possible to prevent severe deterioration of BMI and metabolism.

Article tools

My recent searches

No recent searches.