ESPE Abstracts

Background: CNS tumors are the most frequent solid tumors in pediatric population. The IGF system of ligands and receptors are known to play an important role in both normal and neoplastic growth. Recently, we have shown that in paediatric gliomas, IGF-1R nuclear localization was significantly associated with both high grade tumours and increased risk of death, suggesting that nuclear IGF-1R localization may contribute to an aggressive behaviour of these tumours.<p class="...

Background: Gliomas are the most common subgroup of CNS tumours in children. Histologic grading is a means of predicting the biological behavior of these tumours and survival is strongly correlated with tumour gradation. The IGF system of ligands and receptors are known to play an important role in both normal and neoplastic growth. Recently, nuclear translocation of the type 1 IGF1R has been demonstrated in tumour tissues. Although the IGF1R expression has been described in C...

Introduction: Gliomas are the most common solid tumours during childhood. In children with neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) and optic pathway glioma (OPG), growth hormone excess has been described. However, this phenomenon has not been reported in children with OPG without NF1. We aimed to describe the growth and IGFs/IGFBP3 levels in a large cohort of paediatric patients with non-NF1- associated central nervous system (CNS) tumours.Method...

Background: Isolated persistence of Müllerian ducts in an otherwise normally virilised 46,XY newborn, a condition known as PMDS, is a disorder of sex development (DSD) due to a defect limited to AMH-dependent Müllerian duct regression.Objective and hypothesis: We report the case of a patient with PMDS and extremely low serum AMH in whom no mutations were detected in the AMH gene coding sequences. A single base deletion identified in th...

Background: Hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) deficiencies are frequent in childhood brain tumor survivors (CBTS) after cranial radiation. There is currently no consensus on the most optimal way to screen for HP dysfunction regarding diagnostic tests or time interval. It is not known whether MRI changes in time in the HP-region or in brain volume are predictive of HP dysfunction.Aim: To quantify changes in the HP-region and in brain volume on MRI in CBTS after...

Background: In paediatric patients with metabolic bone diseases, measurement of the concentrations of minerals including inorganic phosphate is often indicated, and hypophosphataemia is a clinically manageable biochemical disorder. The clinical interpretation of plasma or serum phosphate concentrations depends, to a certain extent, on the age- and gender-specific reference intervals applicable to the laboratory methods employed.Whereas h...

Background: Genital abnormalities are a source of concern and anxiety to parents and patients and in some cases, for the physicians who may have difficulty making pathological and eventually genetic diagnosis. They range from simple small penis and labial adhesions to the complex genital ambiguity and disorders of sex development.Hypothesis: To determine the genital abnormalities presenting in the Paediatric endocrinology unit of the University of Port H...

Introduction: X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH), due to PHEX mutation, is the most common genetic form of rickets in children. This rare disease is characterized by decreased tubular reabsorption and increased renal loss of phosphorus due to increased FGF-23 levels. In children, XLH is often manifested by short stature, rickets and bowel limbs deformity. Conventional treatment with oral phosphorus salts and calcitriol is not always well tolerated which has a pro...

Background: Approximately one baby in 2000-3000 is born with congenital hypothyroidism (CHT). Newborn screening of CHT is conducted in different countries by the measurement of either thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) of free thyroxine (FT4) or both. Whereas most Western countries screened CHT by using a blood spot collected on day 3 to 5 of life, some countries' programmes measure umbilical cord blood TSH or FT4 for the screening of CHT. In our maternity ...

Background: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) inhibits the in utero growth of the Müllerian structures in female fetuses. In neonates with suspected disorders of sexual development (DSDs), the presence of testicular tissues and functioning Sertoli cells can be investigated by testing for serum AMH concentration.Objective: To evaluate the performance of two new AMH assays in a hospital laboratory.Method: The technical performan...