ESPE Abstracts

Title: The making of the EndoWatch: A new device for Early Monitoring of Hypothalamic imbalances. Hulsmann S, Petras S, Fraboulet P, Yuan Lu, van Santen HM (on behalf of the EndoWatch team) Keywords: Paediatric and adolescent cancer survivors, Brain tumour, Quality of Life, Wearable, Hypothalamic Obesity Main goals: Aim for better quality of life

Introduction: Children and adults with a suprasellar (hypothalamic) brain tumour often have excellent survival, but poor outcome due to hypothalamic dysfunction (HD). The hypothalamus is the key-regulator of our body. It not only regulates the anterior pituitary gland, but also regulates core body temperature, circadian rhythm, sodium and energy balance. Patients with HD experience chronic fatigue, recurrent headaches and inactivity due to hypothalamic imbalances. Patients develop (morbid) obesity, due to excessive hunger (hyperphagia) and low energy expenditure. Emotional dysregulation can be present. There is currently no treatment for HD. Patients and families urge us for a solution. Care-givers are overloaded and try to act as the patient's “external hypothalamus” to early detect and prevent imbalances and help to resist hyperphagia and improve activity. Supportive care can decrease the burden for the patient and its family, but is intensive and expensive. Current medical practice is insufficiently making use of the development of new advanced techniques.

Aim: To develop a smart wearable that acts as “external hypothalamus " for brain tumour survivors with HD. This wearable must be available 24/7, monitor body temperature, stress, sleep, daily activity, sodium concentration, give distraction for hyperphagia, and have verbal reminders for the visually impaired. This wearable will improve outcome, self-management, and relieve care-givers.

Methods: The wearable, the Corsano EndoWatch (based on the certified CardioWatch 287-2) will be co-designed by investigators, patients and parents. After development, we will perform a feasibility study, followed by an effectiveness study of the EndoWatch on body mass index (BMI), hypothalamic imbalances and QoL. Simultaneously, a technique for continuous sodium measurements will be developed, as future add-on to the EndoWatch for patients with DI and adipsia.

Results: Funding has been obtained for this 5-year project (Dutch Cancer Society). At ESPE 2023, we hope to share our plans and details for the new external hypothalamus with the endocrine community. As it is still under development, valuable input is appreciated. The new device is expected to be ready for feasibility study in Q2 2024.