Science

Scientific results

The described CrescNet process has produced very significant results. It was and is made possible by the financial commitment of numerous sponsors, who are expressly thanked for their support. Discussions on this can be found in a large number of publications.

Disease-specific Cohorts

Within CrescNet, there are disease-specific cohorts that focus on specific clinical conditions. Special modules have been developed for these cohorts, enabling highly specific and detailed documentation of the respective disease. This allows us to ensure that the data collected meets the specific requirements and needs of those affected.

To ensure the quality and relevance of the data, advisory boards have been set up for selected cohorts. These are composed of renowned experts in the respective field and provide technical and strategic support for the work of the registry. Among other things, the advisory board decides on submitted project agreements, thus ensuring the targeted use of the registry data.

The work of the registry and the individual cohorts is based on clear statutes that ensure transparency and traceability. These statutes are publicly available and offer interested parties the opportunity to find out about the objectives, structures, and processes.

CohortDescription
Achondroplasia

Dedicated to the systematic collection and evaluation of data on achondroplasia, a genetic growth disorder. The aim is to support understanding of the development of affected children and adolescents and to improve their quality of life in the long term.

Click to show advisory board members
  • Prof. Dr. Roland Pfäffle, Head of pediatrics Children's Hospital and scientific leader CrescNet, Leipzig University, Germany
  • Dr. Julieta De Victor, Medical and genetical specialist, Hospital Eva Peron Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • PD Dr. Heike K. Hoyer-Kuhn, Pediatric endocrinologist and clinician scientist, Cologne Univerity Hospital, Germany
  • Prof. Dr. Klaus Mohnike, Pediatric endocrinologist, clinician scientist and initiator ACH registry, Otto v. Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany
  • Prof. Dr. Ioana Streata, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Craiova University and Craiova Hospital, Romania
  • Prof. Dr. Zdenek Sumnik, Head of pediatrics, Charles University Prague, Czech Republic
  • PD Dr. Alexandra Keller, Pediatric endocrinologist, Center for pediatric care Leipzig, Germany
  • Dr. Katja Palm Pediatric endocrinologist, Children's Hospital OvGuericke University Magdeburg, Germany
  • Prof. Dr. Ondrej Soucek, Pediatric endocrinologist and specialist rare bone diseases, Charles University Prague, Czech Republic
  • Christoph Beger, Computer Sciences CrescNet, Children's Hospital Leipzig University, Germany
  • Ruth Gausche, Project coordinator CrescNet, Children's Hospital Leipzig University, Germany

Early detection

Through CrescNet, the detection of growth and developmental disorders is improved. On average, the patients with proven growth hormone deficiency identified by the screening program at the Treatment Centre at the Clinic for Children and Adolescents at Leipzig University Hospital were able to receive the necessary substitution at least two years earlier. ( see list of publications: Die Früherkennung von Wachstumsstörungen - System CrescNet im Behandlungszentrum Leipzig im Deutschen Ärzteblatt)

Monitor for conspicuity rates overweight and obesity

Since CrescNet continuously collects data from practices and clinics, it is possible to determine overweight and obesity rates based on age. This is assessed by the Body Mass Index (BMI). A BMI value between the 90th and 97th percentile is considered overweight. If the BMI value in childhood is above the 97th percentile, it is called obesity. You can look at graphs here that record the development of prevalence rates for overweight and obesity since 1999.

Reference curves and secular trend

Described at annual (or shorter if necessary) intervals are the growth and weight trends of the entire child and adolescent population covered.

The measured values of body size show only marginal differences. to recognised German reference curves according to Kromeyer-Hauschild et al. (2001). The red double lines show the confidence interval for the 3rd, 50th and 97th percentiles from CrescNet data. The blue dashed line denotes the Kromeyer-Hauschild reference percentiles. This picture corresponds to the general observation that body sizes in Central Europe have hardly changed for about 30 years.

However, the development of weight is very different from this. The relationship between height and weight is expressed by the body mass index (BMI) and assessed by percentiles. The differences in BMI percentiles P3 and P50 to reference data of Kromeyer-Hauschild et al. (2001) are marginal. However, there is an increasing upward deviation towards the 97th percentile (P97) from the fourth year of life onwards.

▶ Open Reference Data Collection

Growth curves commonly used in Germany
Authors Year Study type Data collection period Population size
Bayley 1956 Longitudinal Not specified 300
Tanner, Whitehouse 1966 Longitudinal and cross section 1959-1965 2.000
Prader: Züricher Longitudinalstudie 1988 Longitudinal 1954-1976 274
Brandt, Reinken 1980 Longitudinal 1962-1974 1.790
Hesse 1997 Longitudinal and cross section 1978-1993 2.820
Kromeyer-Hauschild 2001 Cross section 1985-1999 34.422
CDC - Growth Charts NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Survey) 2000 Cross section 1971-1995 4.697
WHO Growth standard MGRS (Multicenter Growth Reference Study) 2006 Longitudinal and cross section
Longitudinal (0-24 Months)
883
Cross section
6.669
KIGGS 2011 Cross section 2003-2006 17.079

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