ESPE Abstracts

Background: IGF1 and IGF2 are major regulators of somatic growth acting mainly through the IGF1R. Variants in IGF1 and in IGF1R were identified to cause intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation but variants in IGF2 have not yet been reported.Method: In a multigenerational family four affected members (two siblings, one first degree cousin and the daughter of one sibling) exhibited severe growth retardation with heights between −4.2 and −...

Introduction: Bone Health Index (BHI) determined by measurement of cortical thickness of metacarpalia II-IV in x-rays of the left hand represents a method to estimate bone health in children. Aim of this study was to investigate changes of BHI SDS in the course of growth hormone (GH) treatment.Method: 256 consecutive children with short stature (isolated GH deficiency (IGHD) n = 121, multiple pituitary hormone deficiency...

Aims/hypothesis: The Wolfram syndrome, also known as the DIDMOAD syndrome (Diabetes Insipidus, early-onset Diabetes Mellitus, progressive Optic Atrophy, and Deafness), is mostly associated with recessive mutations in the WFS1 gene. However, dominant mutations in the WFS1 gene were described as causing less severe Wolfram-like syndrome, or isolated optic atrophy, or low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss.Method...

Background: SGA-SS, defined as birth weight and/or birth length below -2SD for gestational age and postnatal statural height below -2.5SD according to age- and sex-specific standards, is a heterogeneous condition reflexing exogenous (maternal, placental) or endogenous (foetal) inadequacies. Within the past two decades, a handful of genetic causes of SGA-SS have been elucidated. However, how each genetic aetiology impacts individual GH treatment outcomes awaits...

Background: SGA-SS is a heterogeneous condition defined as birth weight and/or birth length below -2SD for gestational age and postnatal height below -2.5SD, according to age-and sex-specific normative values. Despite being an indication for growth hormone (GH) therapy for 15 years, aetiology and prediction of treatment outcomes in most of SGA-SS children awaits elucidation.Aim: To decipher genetic aetiologies among a la...

Background: Approximately 10% of children born small for gestational age (SGA) fail to catch-up nd remain short (SGA-SS). Although several mechanisms causing SGA-SS have been elucidated, the primary cause remains speculative in most cases.Aim: To decipher genetic causes of SGA-SS defined as birth length and/or birth weight <-2 SD for gestational age, and body height <-2.5 SD after the 3rd year of life within a larg...

Introduction: Familial short stature (FSS) describes vertically transmitted growth disorders. Traditionally, polygenic inheritance is presumed, but monogenic inheritance seems to occur more frequently than expected. Clinical predictors of monogenic FSS have not been elucidated thus far. The aim of the study was to identify the monogenic etiology and its clinical predictors in FSS children.Patients and Methods: Of 747 pat...

Introduction: The genetic investigation of tall stature (TS) is routinely indicated only in children with clinical suspicion of a specific syndrome associated with TS. After ruling out an endocrine disorder, the remaining tall children mostly receive a clinical diagnosis of “idiopathic” (ITS) or “familial” tall stature (FTS). The aetiology of their TS remains unknown.Aims: To elucidate genetic cau...

Introduction: The diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is complex, involving the combination of auxological, laboratory, and radiological findings. This includes growth hormone (GH) stimulation tests, which are done to confirm the diagnosis. It has been discussed that these tests have low specificity, potentially leading to false positive results. Therefore, children with GHD are regarded as a heterogeneous group with varied causes of short stature. Ne...

Introduction: C-type natriuretic peptide receptor encoded by NPR2 gene stimulates chondrocyte differentiation and hypertrophy and extracellular matrix production within the growth plate. The phenotypical spectrum of NPR2 mutations is broad, from severe autosomal recessive acromesomelic dysplasia to milder autosomal dominant growth disorders. Some children with NPR2 variants are treated with growth hormone (GH), however, with the inco...