FOR INFANTS (or those soon-to-be born) AND CHILDREN with Turner Syndrome

INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH STUDIES OF EARLY BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

UNC is currently seeking participants for two studies of early brain development in Turner syndrome (TS). These studies have been expanded to include girls with any TS karyotype except for those who have a Y chromosome component.

Study 1. The purpose of this research study is to learn about brain development in children with TS beginning at two weeks of age. We are interested in whether the size of certain brain structures can tell us something about a child’s development. Your child will have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain in the first month of life at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. An MRI does not use X-rays or radiation. All children will be scanned while sleeping naturally. Your child will also receive a thorough assessment of their behavioral development and a complete physical examination. Children will be invited back for similar follow-up assessments at 6, 12 and 24 months of age. If you were unable to participate in the initial assessment at 2 weeks of life, you may still be eligible to participate.

Study 2. Most children with TS have early growth failure and are treated with growth hormone. The purpose of this research study is to learn what effect growth hormone (GH) has on early brain development in children with TS. Girls will enter the study at 12 months of age and undergo an MRI, behavioral and physical examinations (as in study #1). They will be randomized into two groups: one group will receive GH for the following year while the other group will not (the control group). At 24 months of age, the subjects will return to Chapel Hill for repeat testing. Girls who did not receive GH during the study, will be given GH free of charge for the following year.

There will be no cost to families for participating in either study. The MRI, developmental evaluations, physical examination and GH are free of charge. Air travel and hotel arrangements will be made by research staff. If you travel by car we will reimburse you for the mileage.

To learn more about this study, please call: Dr. Marsha Davenport

919-966-4435 x 232 or visit website