ESPE Abstracts

Background: Normal thyroid function is necessary for the optimal growth promoting effects of GH. Changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis following GH have been reported in subjects initially thought to be euthyroid. A specific group of patients, children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), are thought to have a ‘vulnerable’ HPT axis.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate the impact of paediatric GH therapy on thyroid hormone statu...

Background: Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome (CCHS) is a rare disorder of respiratory control resulting from heterozygous polyalanine repeat expansions within the Paired-Like Homeobox 2B (PHOX2B) gene. A hypoglycaemic seizure in a 4-year-old girl with CCHS, lead to a more detailed examination of glycaemic control in a cohort of children with CCHS.Objective: To describe glucose homeostasis in children with CCHS.M...

Background: Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic disorder characterised by developmental and growth abnormalities, insatiable appetite, and excessive eating (hyperphagia). Hyperphagia is thought to be driven by supraphysiological levels of the appetite stimulating hormone ghrelin; however, the underlying causes of hyperghrelinaemia in PWS are currently unknown. Recently, ghrelin-reactive autoantibodies (isotype IgG) were identified in non-genetic obesity and were f...

Background: Normal TF is necessary for optimal growth. Changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis following GH therapy are reported. GH therapy has been suggested to centrally inhibit TSH production as well as peripherally increasing T4 to T3 conversion which increases negative feedback on TSH production. Hypothalamic dysfunction is a feature of PWS, therefore these patients may be at risk of developing central hypothyroidism associated with GH therapy.<p cla...