ESPE Abstracts

Background: Standard assays for serum cortisol measurements determine total cortisol (TC) concentrations but not the unbound biologically active serum free cortisol (sFC). Measurement of TC would be greatly influenced by alteration in cortisol-binding globulin (CBG) concentrations. It is, therefore, important to determine sFC levels when CBG levels are either decreased or increased.Objective and hypotheses: To determine basal and glucagon-stimulated sFC ...

Background: In 2017, the Endocrine Society published guidelines for the endocrine treatment of gender dysphoria/ gender incongruence. Adolescents who meet diagnostic criteria for gender dysphoria undergo pubertal suppression using gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHa) and induction of puberty with gender-affirming hormonal therapy. Blood pressure (BP) monitoring prior to and during treatment with GnRHa in transgender adolescents is recommended. This r...

Background: Mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MGD) is the second most frequent cause of XY disorders of sex development (DSD). Genotype is either X/XY or XY, while the phenotype ranges from partial to complete gonadal dysgenesis, and from female to male external genitalia. Müllerian remnants are present in these patients because of insufficient or untimely foetal secretion of Müllerian inhibiting factor (MIF).Aim: To assess the therapeutic policy of ph...

Background: The polyethylene glycol (PEG) method, which utilizes the addition of PEG to precipitate immunoglobulin fractions in order to measure free thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), has been implemented as a tool for investigating incongruities in TSH measurement.Aim of the study: To investigate the practical application of PEG-TSH testing in pediatric scenarios with a discrepancy between elevated TSH and normal free ...

Background: Recent guidelines suggest that NCCAH subjects stop their glucocorticoid therapy after achieving adult height. However, these guidelines do not differentiate between genotype groups within the NCCAH population.Aim: Compare ACTH stimulated cortisol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) levels, and the rate of partial cortisol insufficiency in NCCAH subjects carrying one mild and one severe (mild/severe) mutation v...

Context: Synthetic corticosteroids are medications frequently prescribed for a wide range of medical indications. Various preparations differ in their biological effect, mode of administration, potency and duration of action. Comprehensive knowledge is essential in order to prescribe corticosteroids in an efficient yet safe manner.Objectives: To explore pediatricians' practices and attitudes regarding corticosteroid ...

Context: Non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCCAH) diagnosed in childhood, whether treated or untreated, could pose an increased risk of obesity and metabolic derangements in adolescence and early adulthood. Both sustained hyperandrogenism and chronic glucocorticoid therapy may affect body composition. However, little is known about the body composition of subjects with NCCAH and its contribution to the development of adverse metabolic outcomes. <...

Context: Given the importance of sex hormones in metabolic regulation, dynamics in body composition and cardiometabolic alterations may occur in transgender persons receiving gender-affirming hormone (GAH) therapy.Objectives: Our aim was to explore the association between muscle-to-fat ratio (MFR) and the risk for metabolic syndrome components in transgender youth.Methods: In 71 tr...

Context: Higher frequency of atypical gender identity, non-heterosexual fantasies and sexual relationships, and cross-gender role behavior has been reported in females with the more severe salt wasting form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Data on these aspects and quality of life (QOL) among the milder, more prevalent form, the non-classic CAH (NCCAH) is scarce.Objective: To assess gender identity, gender role, ...

Context: Premature adrenarche (PA) could pose an increased risk of obesity and metabolic derangements in adolescence and early adulthood. However, little is known about the body composition of children with PA and its association to the development of adverse metabolic outcomes.Aim: To describe the body composition of children with PA and explore the interaction between PA and metabolic syndrome components.<p class="...