200 Children and Families Help Advance Research into Early Puberty and PMOS
A ground-breaking study investigating hormone imbalances in youngsters at our Children’s Hospital could help to detect future health risks.
The DUCHESS Phenome Study focuses on conditions that may be linked to early androgen excess – where the body produces higher levels of certain hormones and causes early pubertal changes in children.
Eight-year-old Felicity Bourne, from Walsall, is the 200th youngster to be recruited into the study carried out by researchers at our Trust (BWC).
Her mum, Catherine Thompson, said: “Felicity was being tested for early androgen excess when we heard about the study and we jumped at the chance of taking part. It helped us understand what this might mean for Felicity as she grows older.
“I would really encourage other families to take part, as they can help healthcare professionals better understand and help children like Felicity. The research team at the hospital were so lovely and it was a really interesting day.”
Researchers want to understand how hormonal changes may affect children's future health and whether they can increase the risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as PCOS, later in life.
This could help improve the early detection, prevention and treatment.
Asha Marichetty Rameshbabu, Clinical Research Practitioner at our Trust, shared: "Every participant in the DUCHESS Phenome Study is helping us answer important questions about the future health of children with early androgen excess.
“By understanding how these hormonal changes progress and identifying early biochemical markers of metabolic risk, we hope to improve the early detection and prevention of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and PMOS.
“We are incredibly grateful to every family who has contributed to this DUCHESS research study."
The DUCHESS research team, led by Dr Jan Idkowiak as Principal Investigator, is looking for girls aged 4 to 18 years and boys aged 4 to 9 years, including both healthy volunteers and children who experience significant hormone-related symptoms such as acne, excessive facial or body hair growth, and irregular periods.
Taking part involves a visit to our Children's Hospital’s Clinical Research Facility.
The involvement of healthy volunteers is essential to the success of the study.
Catherine added: “If no one takes part in research trials, the study can’t take place, so it’s really important that participants come forward.”
Families interested in learning more about the DUCHESS Phenome Study or taking part are encouraged to contact the research team at the NIHR Clinical Research Facility (CRF) at 0121 333 9550.