ESPE Abstracts

Background: The transient postnatal activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, also called “minipuberty,” is a phenomenon during which gonadal hormone levels increase up to adult levels.Results: In boys gonadotropin and testosterone levels peak at one moths of age and are significantly higher in preterm than in full-term boys. Simultaneously, there is penile growth and the levels of prostate specific antigen increase, indicati...

Background: Both undernutrition and chronic inflammation impair linear growth through resistance to GH. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is known as an important regulator of the metabolic adaptation to fasting. Elevated expression of FGF21, secondary to prolonged undernutrition has been identified to develop GH resistance and subsequent attenuation of skeletal growth and growth plate chondrogenesis in both mice and human. However, the mechanism of FGF21&#1...

Background: Delta-Like Homologue 1 (DLK1) is a gene encoding a transmembrane protein, which may also be secreted into the circulation. DLK1 levels are known to rise in maternal serum during late gestation and our genetic studies in the mouse have shown that this DLK1 arises from the conceptus. However, the cell population that secretes DLK1 into the maternal circulation has not been identified. Since DLK1 has been shown to be differentially expressed in intrauterine growth res...

Background: Antibiotics have direct effects on human gut, and infant’s intestinal microbiota is particularly vulnerable for perturbation. In mice it was shown that antibiotics increased body fat mass due to changes in composition of the intestinal microbial community. Therefore, antibiotic exposure during infancy could be associated with increase in body mass also in man.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate impact of antibiotic exposure, and its ti...

Background: The ideal pattern of postnatal growth for preterm infants is unknown. Existing preterm growth charts are based on cross-sectional birth size data, and fail to describe longitudinal growth adequately.Objective and hypotheses: We collected longitudinal growth data of healthy preterm infants and constructed growth references from birth to term equivalent age (TEA). Our aim was to describe optimal growth under contemporary neonatal care, in compa...

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are used frequently in infants with recurrent wheezing. They may have potential adverse effects as treatment of childhood asthma with ICS decreases growth velocity and adult height. ICS treatment in infancy is thought to alter linear growth only little, but however, studies on ICS use in infancy and linear growth are practically lacking.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate the impact of ICS on linear growth duri...

Objectives: Several different pathogenic mechanisms may converge on a final common pathway to produce the phenotype of delayed pubertal timing. In our cohort of patients with familial self-limited delayed puberty (DP) we have demonstrated mutations in IGSF10 leading to mis-regulation of the embryonic migration of GnRH neurons (Howard et al, EMBO MM 2016). We aimed to discover novel genetic mutations in pathways regulating GnRH neuronal migration and developme...

Background: Growth charts provide excellent help to the pediatric team in identifying abnormal growth patterns. However, the evaluation is highly dependent on the skills of the clinician. A computerized automatic screening system will add quality and patient safety in finding children with disorders affecting growth. Such screening system has been developed and tested in Finland and resulted in earlier detection of growth disorders1-3.Aim: To ...

Background: Hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis activates soon after birth, and this ‘minipuberty’ provides a transient phase for evaluation of the function of the HPG axis in early infancy. Substantial differences in postnatal gonadotropin secretion have been reported between preterm (PT) and full-term (FT) boys and girls. Therefore, when evaluating gonadotropin levels in infants, time from birth (calendar age), maturity (postmenstrual, PM age) and s...

Background: Self-limited delayed puberty (DP) often segregates in an autosomal dominant pattern, suggesting that inheritance is conferred by a small number of genes. However, the underlying genetic background is mostly unknown. By comparison, many genes have been identified where loss-of-function mutations lead to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH). Despite likely overlap between the pathophysiology of delayed puberty and conditions of GnRH deficiency, few studies have examine...