ESPE Abstracts

Background: The current screening test for adrenal insufficiency (AI) involves patients traveling to attend hospital for an “early” morning serum cortisol (EMC) sample, generally taken some considerable time after the child has woken. This risks missing the morning cortisol peak, leading to false positive results and necessitating further testing, usually by the Short Synacthen Test (SST). Both EMC and SST require venepuncture, which is resource in...

Background: Cortisol is a hormone critical for good health. Concentrations of cortisol are reported to be increased in people born small for gestational age and obese children. Cortisol excess and deficiency are associated with growth disturbances and changes in blood pressure (BP). Salivary cortisol (SC) and cortisone (SCn) correlate strongly with serum cortisol. In this study we investigated the relationship between SC and SCn, auxological parameters, BP, ag...

Objective: Low birthweight (bw) and unfavourable intrauterine conditions have been associated with metabolic and cardiovascular sequelae in later life. Although it is already well known that DHEAS is increased in formerly small-for-gestational-age singletons and in smaller twins compared to their normal-weight co-twin, less is known concerning other adrenal hormones. We analysed diurnal salivary profiles in prepubertal six to eight years old monozygotic twins ...

Background: Cortisol (SerC) is generally measured in serum. However, blood tests require attendance at a healthcare provision and can be distressing and inconvenient. Cortisol (SC) and cortisone (SCn) can be measured in saliva. Saliva sampling is patient-friendly, minimally invasive and can be performed at home. We present correlations between paired SC and SCn and SerC measurements in a large paediatric cohort.Methods: ...

Introduction: The steroid metabolism of the newborn and infant is subject to rapid changes and is extremely difficult and complex to assess. Of all analytical techniques, the platform technology of GC-MS allows the most comprehensive assessment of the entire steroid metabolome and this approach is also non-invasive.Method: In order to characterize the essential changes in steroid metabolism during infancy, a total of 355...

Background: Congenital disorders of adrenal steroidogenesis (CDAS) result in various adverse clinical outcomes including adrenal insufficiency, hypertension, androgen excess, or differences in sex development, depending on the specific enzyme deficiency involved. Rapid and precise diagnosis of these conditions facilitates improved short-term and long-term clinical management. The requirement for clinical expertise may lead to delays in the diagnostic process.<...