ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: There is no valid evidenced-based recommendation for the optimum basal insulin dose in type-1 diabetes mellitus when supplied either by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) or multiple daily injections (MDI). We studied this previously by evaluating the dose associated with successful fasting. Another way of looking at this is by evaluating the association between basal insulin dose and HbA1c. To this end we performed a retrospective study of 89 childr...

Background: GH insensitivity (GHI) encompasses growth failure, low serum IGF-1 and normal/elevated serum growth hormone (GH) (basal level >5 μg/L and/or peak on provocation testing >10 μg/L). In a significant number of children the molecular cause is unknown.Objective: To investigate the genetic etiology of GHI in a cohort of children by candidate gene (CGS) and whole exome (WES) sequencing.Methods: About 109 pati...

Introduction: We report two siblings presenting with pre-pubertal gynaecomastia and macro-orchidism, who were later diagnosed with Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (PJS) secondary to a STK11 gene variant. Importantly neither child fulfilled the clinical criteria for diagnosis at presentation, with no muco-cutaneous pigmentation nor gastrointestinal symptoms.Case report: Sibling 1 was referred to Paediatric Endocrinology aged 4 years with ...

Background: There is significant disparity in pediatric endocrinology and diabetes care between developed countries and developing countries. Over the years nevertheless, the diagnosis and management of pediatric endocrine conditions has improved. However, there is paucity of data on clinical presentation and incidence trend amongst pediatric endocrine conditions in sub-Saharan Africa.Methods: A hospital-based retrospect...

Background: Cardiometabolic (CM) risk is linked to being small for gestational age (SGA, birthweight <-2SDS). Fetal growth restriction (FGR) may not result in SGA. We focused on potential CM risk in children born following pregnancies at higher risk for FGR.Aims: To identify associations between fetal and childhood weight trajectory quartiles and CM risk markers. 2.To define molecular pathways potentially associated w...

Background: Resistance to thyroid hormone beta (THRβ) is a clinical spectrum which varies in presentation even between individuals with the same mutation. Life-threatening cardiac dysfunction is recognized in homozygous THRβ state but never reported in cases of inherited heterozygous THRβ defects.Aim: We report the first case of familial inherited heterozygous (THRB) beta mutation presenting with ...

Introduction: Very little is known about the development of the immune system during puberty. Autoimmune diseases, like juvenile onset systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE), have an unexplained female bias and a higher incidence after puberty. IFN alpha (IFNα) is a potent antiviral cytokine, and jSLE has a strong IFNα transcriptional signature. Toll like receptors 7 and 9 (TLR7/9) sense viral RNA and DNA respectively, and trigger plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) to p...

Introduction: There are well described sex differences in the immune system. It has been shown in both innate and adaptive immunity that females have a more robust response than males. Various autoimmune diseases have a strong sex bias towards females. It is the accepted dogma that oestrogen in females relates to an increased risk of autoimmunity, but evidence to this end is scarce. Interferon alpha (IFNα) is a potent anti-viral innate cytokine, and many autoimmune diseas...

Background: Over-dosing and under-dosing of vitamin D in children and young people appears to be common, based on our audit of current practice. The contribution of ethnicity, skin colour, and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) genotype has not been fully explored during vitamin D treatment.Objective: To investigate how ethnicity/skin colour and genetic variation affect the response to 150 000 units of vitamin D administered to young adults of White Caucas...

Introduction: International guidelines for management of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) advise active screening for vertebral fractures (VF), complications of which include pain, scoliosis and impact on ambulation. Vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) is a technique of visualising thoracic and lumbar vertebrae with a lateral view on dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to identify VF. This is at reduced cost and radiation exposure when compared to spinal ...