Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Endocrinology

Christopher S. Kovacs, MD, is a Professor of Medicine (Endocrinology and Metabolism), Obstetrics & Gynecology, and BioMedical Sciences at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada. He obtained his MD and trained in Internal Medicine at Queen’s University, and did his clinical fellowship in Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of Alberta. Dr. Kovacs did a postdoctoral research fellowship in bone and mineral metabolism at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. His clinical practice focuses on osteoporosis, disorders of bone metabolism, thyroid disorders, and general endocrinology. His basic, translational, and clinical research focuses on adaptations in calcium and bone metabolism that occur during reproduction and fetal development. Dr. Kovacs has received over a dozen national and international awards for excellence in research, including the 2003 Gold Medal in Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; the 2003 Young Investigator Award from the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism, and Young Investigator Awards from the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research and Advances in Mineral Metabolism (AIMM). He is also past President of AIMM. Cheri L. Deal, PhD, MD, is a Professor of Endocrinology in the Department of Pediatrics, University of Montreal, and the Chief of the Endocrinology Service at the Ste-Justine Mother-Child University Teaching Hospital in Montreal, Canada. Her training took her to McGill University, University of Montreal, and finally Stanford University for her endocrine research fellowship in placental growth. Past President of both the Canadian Pediatric Endocrine Group and the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism, she now chairs the Education Committee of the International Society of Endocrinology. Her awards include the Young Investigator Award from the Pediatric Endocrine Society (previously LWPES), and most recently the Harvey Guyda Educator of the Year Award and the Robert Volpé Service Award from the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Her major research interest is in the contribution of the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor (GH-IGF) axis to the regulation of human growth. She has a strong commitment to patient-driven research, and has helped to elucidate the molecular defects associated with a wide range of rare pediatric endocrine disorders as well as participated in clinical studies aimed at ameliorating outcomes in a variety of pediatric endocrine diseases.

Section 1: THE MOTHERA. Normal endocrine physiology of the mother during pregnancy and lactation1. Hypothalamus 2. The pineal gland and its function in pregnancy and lactation3. Pituitary4. Physiology of the Thyroid during Pregnancy, Postpartum and Lactation5. Physiology of Calcium, Phosphorus, and Bone Metabolism During Pregnancy, Lactation, and Post-Weaning6. Gestational Glucose Metabolism: Focus on the Role & Mechanisms of Insulin Resistance7. Intestinal and neuroendocrine hormones8. Adrenal cortex and medulla physiology during pregnancy, labor and puerperium9. Ovarian Function During Pregnancy and Lactation10. The physiological roles of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system and vasopressin in human pregnancy11. Central role of adipose tissue in pregnancy and lactation12. Hormonal regulation of the menstrual cycle and ovulation13. Maintenance of pregnancy and parturition14. Hormonal regulation of milk production15. Postpartum Lactational Amenorrhea and Recovery of Reproductive Function and Normal Ovulatory Menstruation

B. Maternal endocrine disorders during pregnancy and lactation16. Hypothalamic17. Pineal18. Pituitary disorders (hyper and hypofunction, tumors)19. Thyroid (hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism)20. Thyroid Cancer during Pregnancy and Lactation21. Disorders of Mineral and Bone Metabolism During Pregnancy and Lactation22. Gestational and type 2 diabetes23. Type 1 Diabetes: During preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding24. Gut and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in pregnancy and lactation25. Adrenal pathologies during pregnancy and post-partum26. Hypertension in pregnancy27. Obesity

C. Other28. Fertility, pregnancy, and chest feeding in transgendered individuals

Section 2: THE CHILDD. Normal endocrine development and physiology of the fetus and neonate29. Endocrinology of implantation30. Hypothalamus and pituitary 31. Pineal 32. Thyroid33. Physiology of Calcium, Phosphorus, and Bone Metabolism During Fetal and Neonatal Development34. Developmental Physiology of Carbohydrate Metabolism and the Pancreas35. Developmental Origins and Roles of Intestinal Enteroendocrine Hormones36. Adrenal cortex and medulla 37. Ovaries and Testes 38. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and vasopressin 39. Origins of Adipose Tissue and Adipose Regulating Hormones40. Fetal growth physiology 41. Placental production of steroid and peptide hormones

E. Endocrine disorders affecting the fetus or neonate42. Hypothalamus and pituitary 43. Pineal 44. Thyroid (agenesis, hypothyroidism, fetal Graves’, etc.)45. Disorders of Calcium, Phosphorus and Bone Metabolism During Fetal and Neonatal Development46. Pancreas and carbohydrate metabolism (diabetes and hypoglycemia)47. Intestinal enteroendocrine disorders48. Adrenal disorders of the fetus and neonate49. Disorders of Sex Differentiation50. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and vasopressin51. Obesity / perinatal origins of obesity52. Fetal growth failure53. New Technologies in Pre- and Post-natal Diagnosis