ESPE Abstracts (2019) 92 P1-99

ESPE2019 Poster Category 1 Pituitary, Neuroendocrinology and Puberty (24 abstracts)

Eating Behavior and Oxytocin in Childhood-onset Craniopharyngioma Patients: An Exploratory Study

Anna M. Daubenbüchel 1 , Jale Özyurt 2 , Monika Warmuth-Metz 1 , Maria Eveslage 3 & Hermann L. Müller 1


1University Childrens Hospital, Klinikum Oldenburg AöR, Würzburg, Germany. 2Biological Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany. 3Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University Münster, Münster, Germany


Background: Childhood-onset craniopharyngioma patients (CP) often suffer from tumor or treatment-related hypothalamic lesions (HL). These lesions may alter production of oxytocin, which plays a major role in the regulation of eating behavior and body composition.

Objective: In CP with different degrees HL, we investigated associations between HL, eating behavior/eating attitudes, and oxytocin saliva concentrations (OSC).

Methods: In a cross-sectional case-control study on 34 CP and 73 healthy controls, OSC were measured before, and 60 min after breakfast by immunoassay. Eating behavior, attitudes and habits were assessed by standardized questionnaires.

Results: CP with anterior+posterior HL presented with more adverse eating behaviors/symptoms of eating disorders than CP without HL, CP with anterior HL, and controls. Eating behavior in CP with anterior HL was similar to controls, except for their tendency towards high dietary restraints. Decreases in postprandial compared to fasting OSC were associated with adverse eating behavior in CP and controls and with higher BMI in CP.

Conclusions: CP with anterior HL and CP with anterior+posterior HL present with distinct patterns of eating behavior. Reduced postprandial compared to fasting OSC is associated with weight problems in CP and with adverse eating behavior and symptoms of eating disorders in both CP and controls.

Volume 92

58th Annual ESPE

Vienna, Austria
19 Sep 2019 - 21 Sep 2019

European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology 

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