Skip to content

Study · Case report or series · n = 1 · 2026

2 results

Case Report: Effect of setmelanotide treatment in a young patient with acquired hypothalamic obesity following Escherichia coli sepsis and meningoencephalitis with brain abscess.

Dauleh H, Hussain K

Frontiers in endocrinology8 Jun 2026

PMID42339090 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC13283790 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.3389/fendo.2026.1796227 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-42339090
Download PDFPubMedAsk about this study
Jump to 2 results

Summary

Acquired hypothalamic obesity (aHO) is a rare and severe condition caused by injury to hypothalamic centers regulating appetite, energy balance, and neuroendocrine function. It is characterized by rapid weight gain, hyperphagia, and significant metabolic complications, and current treatment options remain limited. We report the case of a 22-month-old child who developed severe acquired hypothalamic obesity following neonatal Escherichia coli sepsis complicated by meningoencephalitis and brain abscess. Treatment with the melanocortin-4 receptor agonist setmelanotide was initiated at 0.25 mg daily and gradually titrated to 1.5 mg. Over 13 months of treatment, the patient experienced stabilization and a subsequent reduction in body weight, improvement in liver enzymes and lipid profile, increased motor activity, and marked improvements in interaction and quality of life. The most pronounced clinical response occurred at doses ≥1.25 mg daily. This case represents, to our knowledge, the youngest reported patient treated with setmelanotide and the first case of inflammation-related acquired hypothalamic obesity treated with this therapy. These findings suggest that setmelanotide may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for selected patients with acquired hypothalamic obesity beyond currently approved genetic indications.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study2

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. 2 results from people.

  1. 01HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome

    In a child with acquired hypothalamic obesity, setmelanotide accompanied weight stabilization then reduction, improved liver enzymes and lipids, increased motor activity, and improved interaction and quality of life.

    In plain wordsIn a child with hypothalamic obesity, weight, liver tests, lipids, movement, interaction and quality of life improved during setmelanotide treatment.

    Peptide
    Setmelanotide
    Outcome
    MixedBody weight, liver enzymes, lipids, activity, interaction and quality of life
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Cardiometabolic risk factors · Whole body
    Studied dose
    0.25 mg daily titrated to 1.5 mg · 13 monthsAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Over 13 months of treatment, the patient experienced stabilization and a subsequent reduction in body weight, improvement in liver enzymes and lipid profile, increased motor activity, and marked improvements in interaction and quality of life.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We report the case of a 22-month-old child who developed severe acquired hypothalamic obesity following neonatal Escherichia coli sepsis complicated by meningoencephalitis and brain abscess.
    Summary · context
    Treatment with the melanocortin-4 receptor agonist setmelanotide was initiated at 0.25 mg daily and gradually titrated to 1.5 mg.
  2. 02HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome

    In a child with acquired hypothalamic obesity, the most pronounced setmelanotide response occurred at doses ≥1.25 mg daily.

    In plain wordsIn a child with hypothalamic obesity, the strongest clinical response occurred with setmelanotide doses ≥1.25 mg daily.

    Peptide
    Setmelanotide
    Outcome
    Not applicableDose-related clinical response
    Study

    n = 1

    Outcome group
    Cardiometabolic risk factors · Whole body
    Studied dose
    ≥1.25 mg dailyAs given in this study (human).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    The most pronounced clinical response occurred at doses ≥1.25 mg daily.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    We report the case of a 22-month-old child who developed severe acquired hypothalamic obesity following neonatal Escherichia coli sepsis complicated by meningoencephalitis and brain abscess.
    Summary · context
    Treatment with the melanocortin-4 receptor agonist setmelanotide was initiated at 0.25 mg daily and gradually titrated to 1.5 mg.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 2Current

    28 Oct 2026, 02:03 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    27 Oct 2026, 16:36 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.