ESPE Abstracts

Background: In the published literature, eating disorders appear as a cause of pubertal delay/arrest in young girls. Furthermore, several studies associate anorexia nervosa (AN) with epigenetic changes that may heighten the risk of the disorder and lead to clinical signs as functional hypothalamic amenorrhea. In the present study we investigated whether AN correlates with a distinct DNA methylation profile compared to normal-eating pubertal girls.<p class=...

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is a biochemical condition defined by increased TSH serum concentration above the upper limit of the reference range associated with normal concentrations of T4 and Free T4. Depending on the degree of TSH elevation SH can be defined mild for TSH values between 4.5-10 mIU/l and severe for TSH levels >10 mIU/l.The major cause of SH is chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, other causes are persistent neonatal hyperthyrotropinem...

Background: Among children with idiopathic short stature, Italian data reported a prevalence of short stature homeobox-containing gene (SHOX) deficiency disorders (SHOX-D) near to 1/1.000-2.000 (1.1-15%) with a wide phenotypic spectrum. Current guidelines support recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy in SHOX-D children, but long-term data are still lacking. This national survey aims to evaluate long-term efficacy and safety of rhGH therapy in Italian...

Background: GH secretion is classically assessed by provocative tests and, indirectly, by IGF-1 serum levels. However, their diagnostic accuracy is low. The aim of the study was to evaluate the adult height (AH) in short patients with IGF-1 ≤-1,5 SDS.Method: 52 short patients (height-SDS -2.6 (-3.1- -2.3), age 12.2 (10.2-13.7) y, 36 boys), with low height velocity(HV)-SDS (-1.6 (-3.2- -0.9)) and IGF-1 ≤-1,5 SDS (-2...

Background: It is well known that GH deficiency (GHD) in adulthood is associated with detrimental cardiovascular (CV) effects. Although data are controversial, adolescents with childhood-onset GHD (COGHD) and reconfirmed GHD may have increased metabolic risk after GH treatment withdrawal at final height (FH).Aim: Aim of our study is to compare growth response and metabolic profile in idiopathic COGHD adolescents with rec...

Background: Several studies have investigated the effects of GH replacement therapy (GHRT) on thyroid function in children with GH deficiency (GHD) leading to contrasting results. Indeed, GHRT has been reported to affect the peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones, to alter TSH secretion by pituitary and to unmask secondary hypothyroidism.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate long-term effects of GHRT on thyroid function in a large cohort of GHD childr...

Background: GH deficiency (GHD) in adults has been consistently associated with increased adiposity and decreased lean mass. Data in childhood are still scanty and the most appropriate tools to assess body composition in these children remain to be established.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate the effects of GHD and GH replacement therapy (GHRT) on body composition in GHD children and make a comparison between DXA and anthropometric measures in evalu...

Background: Mutations in the 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17βHSD 3) result in 46,XY disorder of sex development (DSD). Biochemical hallmark of 17βHSD 3 deficiency is a Testosterone/Androstenedione ratio (T/A ratio) <0.8. 17βHSD 3 mutations have been associated with a wide spectrum of phenotypes, ranging from under-virilized male to a female appearance of genitalia at birth. Indeed, 17βHSD 3 deficiency in prepubertal patients is often clinicall...

Background: Recent studies demonstrate that children with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) may develop visceral adiposity and insulin-resistance. Data on adipocytokines are scanty and contradictory.Objective: To evaluate leptin and adiponectin concentrations in CAH adolescents and investigate their correlation with glucocorticoids and hormonal and metabolic profile.Methods: Leptin, adiponectin, insulin and HOMA were evaluated i...

Background: Despite neonatal screening, children with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) may still display behavioural problems such as inattention, distractibility, hyperactivity and restlessness.Objective and hypotheses: The aim of present study was to evaluate attention and sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms in 32 children with CH compared to 32 matched healthy controls.Method: The study population consisted of 32 CH children a...