ESPE Abstracts

Background: Deficiency of 21-hydroxylase (CYP21A2) is responsible of 90-95% of all cases of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). CYP21A2 converts 17OHprogesterone into 11deoxycortisol and is encoded by the CYP21A2 gene on chromosome 6p21.3, within the class III region of the highly polymorphic HLA histocompatibility complex. CAH refers to a group of autosomal recessive disorders. Nonclassic CAH (NCAH) is milder and more common, however it may not be identifie...

Background: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of autosomal recessive genetic defects in cortisol synthesis caused by the deficiency of 21-hydroxylase which convert 17-hydroxyprogesterone to 11-deoxycortisol. A variety of mutations in one or more genes encoding enzymes essential for cortisol synthesis leads to a spectrum of disorders and disease severity. In general, complete or nearly complete enzymatic defects result in overt adrenal insufficien...

Background: Obesity has been associated with perturbations of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Scalp hair cortisol has been recognized as a reliable index of long-term cortisol concentrations.Objective and hypotheses: Aim of this study was to compare indices of HPA axis and SNS activities, such as, respectively, the salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase diurnal patterns, and their relations i...

Background: Adrenal crisis is a life-threatening condition caused by either primary adrenal insufficiencyor hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction, commonly due to chronic use of high-dose glucocorticoids. Clinical presentation, often with gastrointestinal symptoms (weakness, nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain) poses clinical challenges, sometimes leading to an incorrect diagnosis of gastroenteritis.Material:</stron...

Background: Chronic stress and increased adiposity have been associated with each other in children. Further studies are needed, however, to evaluate both the directionality of this association and the mediating metabolic mechanisms.Objective and hypotheses: This study investigates the interrelations between BMI, body composition parameters, indices of the stress response, such as hair and salivary cortisol levels, and, metabolic mediators, such as insul...