Nope, the newest research results from Dr. Pinnaro are not related to a social media platform formerly represented by a blue bird. Rather, her latest research publication deals with the X-chromosome and how it modifies the risk a person has to develop diabetes. Specifically, the new results show that persons with Turner syndrome who inherited just a single X-chromosome have a higher risk of elevated blood sugar levels if that X-chromosome came from their mother compared to if it came from their father. The manuscript describing the results has been accepted for publication in the journal Hormone Research in Paediatrics (link to article on PubMed). The results may have implications for diabetes in the general population, as males necessarily inherit their X from their mother and for females the impact of risk differences between their two X chromosomes could be influenced by which parent each came from. Dr. Norris from our division also contributed to the manuscript.

Pediatric Research Day 2023 at the University of Iowa was held on the afternoon of April 7th, highlighting six speakers and multiple posters. The Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes was well represented. Faculty Dr. Cat Pinnaro gave a research talk entitled “Explaining phenotypic variability in Turner syndrome: Does X Mark the Spot”. Third year endocrinology fellow Dr. Alexander Tuttle gave an award-winning talk entitled “An Interactive E-Book Resource About Inpatient Pediatrics Diabetes Management for Medical Learners: Preliminary Results of a Pilot Study”. Dr. Graciela Parra Villasmil presented a research “data blitz” and poster entitled “Variability in glycemia measured by CGM in children and young adults with acute recurrent or chronic pancreatitis”. Importantly, these highlight our division’s ongoing efforts to improve the care of children with endocrine conditions.

We were graced today by a clinical grand rounds talk from Philippe Backeljauw, MD. Dr. Backeljauw is Professor at the University of Cincinnati Department of Pediatrics. He is also Director of their Pediatric Endocrine Fellowship Program and Director of the Cincinnati Center for Pediatric and Adult Turner Syndrome Care. He spoke at our Pediatric Grand Rounds. Dr. Backeljauw is an internationally recognized expert in the clinical care of patients with growth disorders and patients with Turner syndrome. He received his MD from the University of Ghent in Belgium, completed pediatric residency at Cleveland Clinic, and pediatric endocrinology fellowship at the University of North Carolina. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts. Recently, he was instrumental in devising clinical practice guidelines related to Turner Syndrome via the International Turner Syndrome Consensus Group. Dr. Backeljauw spoke today on the “Clinical Management of Turner Syndrome”.