ESPE Abstracts

Background: Childhood tumours of the hypothalamic pituitary axis (HPATs) are very rare and hence any single centre experience is limited. Without evidence-based guidance, treatment is individualised on a case basis. Survival rates are high, but at the expense of significant morbidity. Centralised care or wider multi-professional consultation may improve neuroendocrine and visual outcomes.Objective and hypotheses: i) To facilitate multi-professional dialo...

Background: With improved survival of childhood allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), there is increasing need for surveillance, including assessment of endocrine late effects in this cohort1,2.Aim: To evaluate endocrine late effects after chemotherapy and radiation in survivors of childhood allogeneic HSCT.Methods: Multi-site evaluation via medical recor...

Background: With improved treatment and survival of childhood hematological malignancies, the issue of fertility in survivors has become an important domain of holistic care. Haemopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) survivors were reported to have reduced fertility as compared to siblings, with 4/170 adult female allogeneic HSCT survivors achieving successful pregnancy.1 Of 532 female survivors, median age of 17.8 years at HSCT, who had TBI conditioning, 13 pregnanc...

Background: The adrenal cortex undergoes constant cellular renewal and any effect from recombinant adeno-associated vectors (rAAV) targeting differentiated cells will be transient as extra-chromosomal DNA will be lost by dividing cells. A novel option is to use rAAV to express ectopic adrenocortical enzymes in a stable organ outside the adrenal gland. Our aim was to correct the biochemical phenotype in a mouse model for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) wit...

Background: DMD is an X-linked recessive disorder, due to mutations of the DMD gene on Xp21, encoding dystrophin, characterized by high cytokines and progressive muscle degeneration, with loss of ambulation, increasing immobility and complicated by late cardio-respiratory failure. Use of high dose corticosteroid aims to prolong mobility, delay/reduce complications and to increase lifespan but adverse effects on bone health include bone loss and increased vertebral and long bon...

Aims: To examine growth, body composition and glucose metabolism during childhood in children born small for gestational age (SGA).Methods: Single centre cohort study of 150 children (63 boys), identified from newborn records as being born SGA (birth weight SDS <−1.5) and assessed between the age of 4 and 7 years. Data collected included: anthropometric parameters (height, weight, BMI: transformed into age- and sex-adjusted SDS), lean and fat m...

Objective: Children are usually mildly affected by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 infection (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19). However, the pandemic has impacted negatively on children with non-COVID-19 diseases. We aimed to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation of newly diagnosed childhood-onset type 1 diabetes.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted over a one-year period. ...

Background: Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is the screening test of choice for Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes (CFRD). HbA1C is considered unreliable in diagnosing CFRD because of increased cell turn over in children and adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis (CF).Objective: To determine the validity of HbA1C as a predictive tool for future abnormal OGTT in CF.Material & Methods: Data were colle...

Background: Delayed puberty is defined as the absence of physical signs of puberty 2 to 2.5 standard deviations greater than the mean and affects 2% of the adolescent population. We present a male patient aged 16, presenting with delayed puberty. On direct questioning the patient revealed he had been taking regular Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA). These supplements appeared to suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis.<st...

Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1(NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder caused by NF1 mutation. The condition is typified by the development of benign and malignant tumours in both the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. We present two siblings diagnosed with NF1 who presented at an early age with isolated menarche.Case Presentation: Sibling 1 – A 7-year-old patient w...