ESPE Abstracts

We evaluated growth parameters and endocrine disorders in relation to the quantity of liver iron (LIC) measured by the Ferriscan method and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) level in a cohort of adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) (n=40) and beta thalassemia major (BTM) (n=52) receiving nearly the same protocol of transfusion and iron chelation therapy since early childhood. Before transfusion, hemoglobin concentration had not been less than 9 g/dl ...

Background: Abnormalities of cervical spine have been described in association with pituitary anomalies in the context of malformative syndromes with midline defects. Several genes are involved in the control of pituitary gland development, differentiation and function. In particular, the presence of os odontoideum has been reported in one case of pituitary hypoplasia, associated with leg anomalies, renal dysplasia and no aberrations of the BMP4, BMP2 and PTX1 genes. In anothe...

Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF1), encoded by plays a central role in sex development, steroidogenesis, and reproduction in both males and females. NR5A1 mutations have been described in a diverse spectrum of disorders of sex development (DSD). We report on a case of XY Partial Gonadal Dysgenesis with paternal inheritance of a NR5A1 variant. A 17-year-old girl was referred to us due to primary amenorrhea and absence of secondary female sex characteristics. She was...

Introduction: Only 1.8% of thyroid malignancies occur during childhood, explaining very limited pediatric data. Most frequent in children are papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), occurring after exposure to radiation, and presenting as a thyroid nodule ± cervical lymph nodes. PTC may present as diffusely infiltrating disease of the thyroid with microcalcifications. We report an uncommon presentation of a PTC in a 7 year old boy.Case report: The boy wa...

Background: Type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) is the product of a single-copy gene located on chromosome 15 and is ubiquitously expressed in humans. Increased hepatic IGF-1R gene expression is found in hepatocellular carcinoma and in chronic hepatitis C, making parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells more susceptible to the mitogenic effects of IGF-1.Objective and hypotheses: As we have previously demonstrated that IGF-1 and IGF-2 circula...

Background: Acquisition and maintenance of fertility in mammals rely on the function of Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) neurons. During the juvenile period, GnRH neurons undergo morphological maturation, which involves changes in synaptic inputs and neuropeptide activation from afferent neurons. The functional importance of this maturation could be a pre-requisite for puberty onset. However, the mechanisms behind these dynamic changes have yet to be identified.<p cla...

Background: McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS; OMIM#174800) is a rare disorder hallmarked by the triad fibrous osseous dysplasia, cafè-au-lait skin spots and endocrine hyperfunctions, usually peripheral precocious puberty. It is caused by post-zygotic activating mutations at R201 codon of the GNAS gene, which lead to a somatic mosaic state; the clinical manifestations of MAS are highly heterogeneous due to variability of mutation abundance among affected tissues.<p class=...

Background: The TRH receptor (TRHR) is a G-protein coupled receptor activated by hypothalamic TRH. In thyrotropes, TRH-TRHR signalling controls synthesis, secretion and bioactivity of TSH. Human TRHR defects are extremely rare, and only three cases are known with central hypothyroidism and short stature as variable presenting feature.Objective and hypotheses: Phenotypical characterization of a family with suspected central hypothyroidism and inv...

Background: Organic lesions in males with central precocious puberty (CPP) have been reported in 40% of cases. This high prevalence decreases (20–29%) when patients with previously diagnosed alterations of central nervous system (CNS) are excluded. Reported predictors of organic lesions are age at puberty onset, bone age, BMI, LH peak response and testosterone levels.Objective and hypotheses: To determine the prevalence and type of intracranial lesi...

Background: Data on anthropometric outcomes in patients with non-classical 21-hydroxylase deficiency (NCCAH) are sparse.Objective: To investigate long-term effects of NCCAH on height and weight.Method: A retrospective, cross-sectional study of 105 girls with NCCAH aged 8.4±4.1 years (0.4–18), mean follow-up 11.4±7.5 years. Outcome measures were height, weight and BMI, expressed as standard deviation score (SDS), at d...