ESPE Abstracts

Whilst several key genetic contributors to the phenotype of central precocious puberty (CPP) have been recognized, many familial cases remain without clear a genetic aetiology. Causal genetic variants are reported in imprinted genes Makorin ring finger protein 3 (MKRN3) and Delta-like homolog 1 (DLK1), alongside Kisspeptin-1 (KISS1) and (KISSR1), implicating mis-regulation of transcriptional control of the kisspeptin and GnRH neuroendocrine systems in onset of CPP. We recently...

Background: The genetic etiology of non-syndromic HI remains unknown in over 20% of all cases, and over 50% of diazoxide-responsive cases. Non-coding variants in HK1 have been suggested to cause HI by linkage-analysis (Pinney et al., 2008). More recently, variants within a regulatory region of HK1 intron 2 were reported in 17 individuals with HI (Wakeling et al., 2022). These variants have been proposed to cause HI by disrup...

Background: Coeliac disease(CD)is a common cause of stunted growth. Despite adherence to gluten-free diet(GFD), short stature may persist in some patients with CD. Studies investigating the growth hormone(GH)-insulin like growth factor-1(IGF1) axis in children and adolescents withCDare scant and inconclusive. Fibroblast growth factor-21(FGF-21)is a181amino acid polypeptide that plays a role in growth, lipid and glucose metabolism. The inhibitory effects of FGF...

NASH is an increasingly relevant finding in the pediatric population affected by obesity. In adults, its evolution from this steatosis to fibrosis and its correlation with metabolic syndrome is increasingly significant. The existence of a rapid and validated screening tool in consultation would be very useful.Main objective: To evaluate if the measurement of intraperitoneal fat measured through nutritional ultrasound, allows the diagnosi...

Steroidogenic enzyme expression in the fetal adrenal and the placenta hints at the production and metabolism of adrenal-derived 11-oxy androgens (11OxyAs) in the fetal-placental unit. Thus, 11OxyAs are present in placental tissue, fetal cord blood and neonatal serum, and could have a particular role during fetal development. The metabolism of the 11OxyAs in the fetal unit, therefore, presents as a focal point of investigation. Adrenal androgens are primarily metabolized by the...

Introduction: Short stature is a common finding that affects per definition about 3% of the population. Isolated, severe short stature may be treated successfully with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH). Currently, rhGH is offered to short children with specific disorders or biochemically proven growth hormone deficiency (GHD). However, biochemical testing for GHD is artificial and therefore controversial. Adding genetic testing may improve the diagnostic...

Objective: Hypothalamic dysfunction is a rare condition and can be encountered in patients who have been diagnosed or treated for a suprasellar brain tumor. Due to its rarity, signs and symptoms of hypothalamic dysfunction may be difficult to recognize, leading to delayed diagnosis of the suprasellar brain tumor or to difficulties in finding the health care expertise for hypothalamic dysfunction after tumor treatment. To improve care and outcome of patients wi...

Background: NR5A1/SF-1 variants result in a wide range of phenotypes including DSD, male infertility, and primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). Little is known of how NR5A1/SF-1 variants affect puberty in individuals with or without DSD. This study aimed to assess the impact of NR5A1/SF-1 variants on pubertal development and investigate whether abnormal puberty is linked to the severity of DSD in an international cohort with NR5A1...

Background: Inhibin consists of two homologous subunits, the α (INHA) and the βA or βB subunits (INHBA/INHBB). Both inhibins play an important role in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis by regulating the follicle stimulating hormone levels. INHA knockout mice develop mixed or incompletely differentiated gonadal stromal tumours. In females, some INHA variants have been associated with primary ova...

Background: Biochemical ratios of precursor-to-product urinary steroid metabolites have been proposed as surrogate markers of steroidogenic enzyme activity to aid the differential diagnosis of inborn disorders of steroidogenesis. Using ratios rather than total amounts facilitates analysis of single spot urine samples, more convenient than 24-h urine collections for young children. Previous studies examining the utility of these biochemical ratios have been lim...