ESPE Abstracts

Background: In vitro fertilisation (IVF) has been widely used during the last decades. Increased susceptibility to birth defects and a higher cardiometabolic risk in children born after IVF than naturally conceived (NC) children have been reported. Also, a higher incidence of hyperthyrotropinemia has been noted in children born after IVF with respect to NC children and has been attributed to an epigenetic modification of the TSH set-point.Object...

Background: Obesity in childhood and adolescence represents a major health problem of our century that has reached epidemic proportions globally during the last decades. In obese subjects, a relatively high cortisol output in urine has been observed compared to nonobese individuals. However, cortisol concentrations in blood, saliva, and urine in association with obesity have not been consistent across studies. Hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) determined in scalp hair provide...

Introduction: The success of rhGH therapy is thought to be dependent on the patient's ability to maximally adhere to their treatment regimen.Aim: To compare the reported (subjective) compliance as it was documented via a questionnaire fulfilled by the parents and/or patients, with actual (objective) compliance as recorded by a delivery device, to rhGH therapy.Material and Methods</stron...

Objectives: The aims of this study were: (1) to evaluate the perception of children with GH Deficiency (GHD) and their parents, regarding their current and future predicted height, as well as the modulating factors; (2) to investigate the relation between perceptions of height and psychosocial functioning in children with GHD.Methods: The study group consists of 322 children/adolescents (219 boys) diagnosed with (isolated) GHD, treated with GH. The mean ...

Objectives: To describe the Health Related Quality of life (HrQoL) of children/adolescents with GH Deficiency (GHD) and to examine the effects of sociodemographic (i.e., patients’ age, sex and family socioeconomic status) and clinical characteristics (i.e. degree of short stature and duration of treatment) on HrQoL from patients’ and their parents’ perspectives. Associations between QoLISSY questionnaire and demographics were evaluated using Mann-Whitney or Krus...

Background: Children’s and parents’ expectations regarding GH therapy results have been previously assessed. However, there are limited data on children’s and adolescents perceptions of their own body size as compared with that of their age-related peers, as well as their expectations of their final stature.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate the perceptions of GH treated children and their families for the child’s stature and to as...

Background: Treatment compliance is one of the most important practical aspects in long-term treatments such as GH therapy.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate the level of compliance and its association with duration of treatment and other demographic factors.Method: A prospective study with the use of validated questionnaires was conducted in the Endocrinology Department of one of the two main Pediatric Hospitals in Athens. The ...

Background: Coping with a chronic medical condition requiring prolonged treatment may have an effect on psychological adaptation and self-esteem of patients.Objective and hypotheses: To identify key factors that influence self-perception and well-being in children and adolescents on GH therapy.Method: A prospective study with the use of validated questionnaires SPP (the Greek version). The patient cohort included 272 Greek children...

Background: Non-compliance is a major issue for treatment failure in childhood obesity.Objective and hypotheses: To identify the barriers of adherence to weight management programs, of obese children and adolescents.Method: A descriptive, ongoing study based on phone recorded questionnaires with the use of information from the medical records. The study group consisted of 85 overweight and obese children and adolescents (M/F=46/39)...