ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Linear growth is a complex process involving the interplay of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Current knowledge sheds importance to the GH-IGF-1 axis, chondrocyte regulation and extra-cellular matrix in the growth plate, and other fundamental intracellular processes. Despite these advancements, the genetics of short stature are not fully understood. This study aims to contribute by investigating a unique cohort of children from co...

Introduction: The ZSWIM6 gene was first described with a unique de-novo heterozygous variant causing acromelic frontonasal dysostosis, characterized by craniofacial, brain, and limb malformations. Another de-novo heterozygous variant was later described causing severe intellectual disability, hypotonia amd seizures but without craniofacial or limb malformations. These findings suggest a clear genotype-phenotype correlation for ZSWIM6. Gene in...

Introduction: Monogenic diabetes accounts for approximately 3.5% of patients manifesting diabetes till 30 years. Majority of these patients had subtypes of Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) caused by disruption of the genes encoding glucokinase (GCK), hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-alpha (HNF1A) or 4-alpha (HNF4A), respectively. However, also rare forms of monogenic diabetes could be detected particularly thanks to massive par...

Background: Approximately 5 % of children are born SGA (birth weight/length below -2 SDS), anyway most experience an early spontaneous catch-up growth (CUG). About 15 % remain short during childhood and end up as short adults. Growth hormone (GH) treatment in general improves their growth.Objectives: We analyzed growth patterns in four SGA cohorts from two large databases: Those with spontaneous CUG, those who failed to ...

Introduction: Monogenic diabetes has been estimated to be 1 - 6% of all diabetic cases in European countries which are primarily non consanguineous populations, while the incidence in highly consanguineous areas is insufficiently defined. However, the genetic aetiology of monogenic diabetes has been shown to be widely different in areas with prevalent consanguinity compared to areas with lower rates. In this single-centre study, we aimed to evaluate the preval...

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: Skeletal maturation is the most reliable indicator of biological age in children and adolescents. The evaluation of hand and wrist X-Ray according to Tanner-Whitehouse (TW3) or Greulich-Pyle (GP) are the most commonly used methods for biological age assessment. Automated bone age assessment has recently become increasingly popular, however a large independent study comparing automated and manual evaluation of bone age is still missing. The aim of this study was to ...

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is an extremely rare condition (estimated incidence 1:4–8 million), caused by mutations in LMNA gene, which leads to premature aging. Median life expectancy is shortened to 13 years due to vascular complications such as stroke or myocardial infarction. We present below the history of a child born with a pathogenic LMNA variant c.433G>A (p.Glu145Lys). A male patient was referred due to failure to thrive and low growth velocit...

Background: Congenital hyperinsulinism of infancy represents a group of heterogeneous disorders characterized by over-secretion of insulin from pancreatic β cells causing severe hypoglycemia. Genetically, congenital hyperinsulinism is caused by defects in key genes regulating insulin secretion (ABCC8, KCNJ11, GLUD1, GCK, HADH, SLC16A1, UCP2, HNF4A, and non-constantly HNF1A). The aim of our pr...