ESPE Abstracts

Background: Loss-of-function mutations in the imprinted gene MKRN3 represent the most common known genetic defects associated with central precocious puberty (CPP). The penetrance of these mutations remains to be established. To date, all reported individuals with MKRN3 mutations were already in puberty or postpubertal and were identified retrospectively.Objective and hypotheses: To report the first case of a prepubertal child with an MKRN3 muta...

Background: We recently identified loss-of-function mutations in makorin ring finger 3 (MKRN3) as a cause of familial central precocious puberty (CPP). Analysis of Mkrn3 expression in the arcuate nucleus of mice showed high expression levels in juvenile mice, with a marked reduction prior to puberty onset, suggesting that MKRN3 inhibits puberty initiation. The function of MKRN3 is not known but based on its amino acid sequence, it is predicted to act as an ubiquitin l...

Introduction: Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is the most frequent endocrine deficit in childhood survivors of brain tumours. However, there is insufficient evidence to guide the timing of growth hormone replacement (GHR). At Great Ormond Street Hospital timing is based on clinical need rather than in relation to oncological treatment. Therefore, sufficient variability in GHR timing is available to analyze its effect on tumour progression and recurrence.<p...

Context: Heterozygous mutations in TSH recepter (TSHR) have been described associated with mild TSH resistance characterized by non autoimmune hyperthyrotropinemia (NAH). The prevalence of this condition varies in different reports.Objective: To determine the prevalence of TSHR variants in pediatric NAH.Subjects and methods: Thirty-five non obese unrelated children with NAH (18 girls, aged 1–19 years) were enrolled. A...

Background: Differential diagnosis between XY partial (PGD) and mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MGD) was initially established by histological evaluation; however, when there is a 45,X lineage there are differences not only in clinical aspects but also in prognosis.Objective and hypotheses: The aim of this work was to analyze clinical picture of patients with genital ambiguity due to testicular dysgenesis, with and without a 45,X lineage, and compare these con...

Background: Growth hormone (GH) treatment is indicated for children who are born small for gestational age (SGA) and fail to achieve sufficient catch-up growth during infancy and remain short throughout childhood.Aims: To evaluate the effect of GH treatment in a large, multicentric, Portuguese SGA children cohort and to analyze for correlation between GH treatment response and clinical factors.<str...

Introduction: Complete ALS deficiency (ALS-D), caused by inactivating mutations in both IGFALS gene alleles, presents severe IGF1 and IGFBP3 deficiencies associated to moderate growth retardation.Aim: To characterize the molecular defect in a family where the index case and his father presented short stature and IGF1 and IGFBP3 deficiencies.Methods: IGF1, IGFBP3, and GH serum levels were determined by CLIA, ALS by ELISA an...

Background: Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare, genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous, autosomal or x-linked recessive chromosome instability disorder characterized by multiple congenital anomalies, bone marrow failure, and increased susceptibility to specific malignancies. Other findings, including short stature, skin pigmentation, and endocrine abnormalities have been recognized, most notably GH deficiency (GHD), hypothyroidism, and hypogonadism.Case...

Familial Male-limited Precocious Puberty is a rare form of gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and it is caused by mutation in the LH/chorionic gonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) that promotes the production of cAMP without the hormone ligand, causing increased androgen production that determines the onset of puberty. The prevalence reported is less than 1/ 1 000 000. As there are few cases reported in the literature, informa...

Background/Aims: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to investigate the etiology of growth hormone deficiency (GHD). There is a close relationship between structural changes in the pituitary gland and clinical status.We aimed to investigate the relationship between MRI findings and clinical symptoms and treatment response in children with GHD.Methods: The study was conducted in nine Department...