ESPE Abstracts

Background: Human IGF1 gene defects are characterized by intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation, sensorineural deafness, microcephaly and intellectual disability. Seven cases have been reported so far, and the underlying pathophysiology has been characterized in only three.Objective: To describe a patient with severe short stature presenting a novel homozygous IGF1 gene mutation and its underlying pathogenic mechanism.<p clas...

Introduction: Overgrowth syndromes comprise an heterogeneous group of rare disorders characterized by generalized or segmental excessive growth commonly associated with additional features, such as developmental delay, visceromegaly and macrocephaly. They may present with inherent health concerns and, in some instances, an increased risk of tumor development requiring prompt diagnosis and appropriate referral.Objective: ...

Puberty is a crucial biological process normally occurring at a specific time during the lifespan, during which sexual and somatic maturation are completed, and reproductive capacity is reached. Pubertal timing is not only determined by genetics, but also by endogenous and environmental cues, including nutritional and metabolic signals. During the last decade, we have learned much regarding the essential roles of kisspeptins and the neuropeptide pathways that converge on these...

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: Several genetic defects (GHR, SHOX, GHSR, NPR2, IGFALS) have been reported in children classified as ISS. ISS children are GH sufficient and about one third of them show low IGF-I levels, suggesting some degree of GH insensitivity.Objective: To explore potential genetic defects in ISS children suspicious of GH insensitivity, selected by low IGF-I levels and low response to IGF generation test.<...

Introduction: Noonan syndrome (NS) is a relative frequent genetic disorder, mainly characterized by dysmorphic face features, congenital heart defects and short stature. Though delayed pubertal development has been described in both sexes, the physiopathological root remains unclear. This study aims at characterizing puberty development in Noonan syndrome.Materials and Methods: The study population included 111 individuals with a molecul...

Background: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders that includes diseases of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system. The latter are missed on TSH based screening programs leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Additional T4 determinations, allows an early detection of CH of central origin (CH-C).Objective and hypotheses: To report the findings of a neonatal screening program based on determination of TSH...

In a retrospective study (1), we found that a GH<6.5 μg/L, IGF-I-WHO87/518 <30 μg/L and IGFBP-3<0.8 μg/mL confirmed GHD diagnosis with high diagnostic accuracy in neonates with clinical suspicion of GHD. GH and insulin negatively regulate IGFBP-2, and it was proposed to reflect GH status in the diagnostic work-out of GHD in childhood and adults. The accuracy of IGFBP-2 has not been set for neonates.Objective: To prospectively v...

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: Heterozygous GHR gene variants were found in 5–8% of idiopathic short stature (ISS) children. Frequent polymorphisms within GHR coding regions, but not intronic SNPs, have been investigated in ISS.Objectives: To characterize GHR gene variants in ISS children, and to test their influence on height and the peripheral GH/IGF1/IGFBPs system.Methods: GHR gene (coding/intronic flanking...