ESPE Abstracts

Background: Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) is an important cause of hypopituitarism, although less common than multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD). Children with optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) are at risk of hormone and neurocognitive disturbances.Objective and Hypotheses: We describe clinical and neuroradiological findings of these three overlapping conditions, aiming to understand their pathophysiology.Method: Retrospective a...

Background: Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) is a highly heterogeneous condition with a variable phenotype, defined as two or more features of the classical triad: i) optic nerve hypoplasia, ii) midline brain defects, and iii) pituitary hormone abnormalities.Objective and hypotheses: To describe the clinical, endocrine, and neuroimaging features in eight children with SOD.Method: Eight (six males) consecutive patients, diagnosed with SO...

Introduction: Mitochondrial-derived peptide (MOTS-c) is originated from the 12S ribosomal region of mitochondrial DNA. MOTS-c functions as an activator of AKT and AMPK, which are involved in the insulin signaling pathway. In experimental studies, MOTS-c administration was shown to reduce insulin resistance and obesity. Besides, MOTS-c levels were decreased and negatively correlated with insulin resistance in obese male children. In male cases, the MOTS-c</...

Background: Genetic variants are identified in a small proportion (~10%) of patients with Congenital Hypopituitarism (CH), with variable associated phenotypes. We aimed to phenotypically characterise a large cohort of patients with genetically proven CH.Patients and methods: 1684 CH patients were screened (Sanger or whole exome sequencing) over a 20-year period (1998-2018) for mutations in genes regulating pitui...

Introduction: Ceratonia siliqua L. (CS) is from the legumes (Fabaceae) family, and different forms such as carob extract and flour are preferred by parents because it is a natural sweetener and a source of vegetable carbohydrates. CS is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids. When we questioned histories of the cases of early puberty and puberty variants who applied to our clinic, we noticed long-term and regular use in some cases. We planned to experimen...

Background: Mutations in BRAF are a rare cause of cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome (CFC). Recently, BRAF mutations have been reported in papillary craniopharyngiomas, but have not been described in patients with other hypothalamo-pituitary abnormalities. We describe three patients with CFC and septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) associated with heterozygous BRAF mutations.Cases: Patients presented in childhood with clinical features of ge...

Background: The hallmark of congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is the demonstration of detectable plasma insulin during hypoglycaemia. Insulin can be undetectable in a significant proportion of patients with CHI. Plasma samples for insulin requires rapid and careful handling for reliable results. There is little published data on the value of C-peptide in the diagnosis of CHI.Objective and hypotheses: To assess the usefulness of C-peptide in the diagnosis ...

Three patients from two unrelated families in Malta; one consanguineous (siblings: Patient 1, male and Patient 2, female) and one non-consanguineous (Patient 3, male), manifested hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with delayed puberty, intellectual disability, scoliosis, and ataxia with cerebellar hypoplasia on MRI. GnRH tests revealed low peak LH and FSH concentrations in the patients: Patient 1; LH 2.3 IU/L, FSH 4.4 IU/L (14.3y), Patient 2; LH 3.6 IU/L, FSH 6.4 IU/L (12.5y), Pati...

Background: A mutation in EIF2S3 (NM_001415; Xp22.11) was previously associated with microcephaly and developmental delay in a single pedigree. EIF2S3 encodes the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit 3 (eIF2γ), the largest of three EIF2 subunits. EIF2 initiates protein synthesis by forming a ternary complex with GTP and initiator methionyl-tRNA which then binds to the 40S ribosomal subunit, enabling scanning of mRNA from the 5′ end to...

Introduction: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is associated with Covid-19. MIS-C was first reported in April 2020 with similar symptoms to Kawasaki disease and has several treatment options, one of which is glucocorticoids.Autopsy studies in Covid-19 patients have shown degenerative adrenal changes.It has been reported that rarely Covid-19 may affect adrenal function and cause both primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency.Here we prese...