ESPE Abstracts

Background: Hypoglycaemia and poor cardiovascular outcomes are described in children and young people (CYP) with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI). In this study, we described cortisol exposure during hydrocortisone replacement therapy, glucose regulation by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and cardiovascular function. Here, we present the final study data.Methods: CYP with PAI underwent CGM for 7 days using Dexcom ...

Background: Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a dominantly inherited syndrome characterised by parathyroid hyperplasia, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNET) and pituitary adenomas, although >20 tumours are described. Clinical guidelines1 recommend annual biochemical surveillance and abdominal imaging from <10yrs and pituitary imaging every 3yrs. Age at start of surveillance is derived from the youngest reported patient with a...

Introduction: Turner’s syndrome (TS) is caused by an abnormality of one of the X chromosomes. Short stature or slow growth is one of the first manifestations of TS and it is recommended that GH therapy should be initiated as soon as it becomes apparent that affected girls are not growing normally to optimise final adult height. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a well-known side effect of GH therapy, and it has also been reported in girls with TS with or witho...

Background: During treatment of adrenal insufficiency (AI) with hydrocortisone (HC), cortisol concentrations are supra-physiological following doses, and low before doses. We speculated that this cortisol profile may result in periods of hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia. We describe glucose profiles in the first 18 children recruited to a study of metabolic and cardiovascular profiles in AI. Methods: Children with primar...

Synacthen tests are used widely in paediatric practice for diagnosis of AI. The standard dose test may be more specific and low dose test (LDSST), more sensitive. The LDSST requires dilution of commercially available Synacthen, which may result in unreliable dosing and over diagnosis of AI.Aim: To determine the prevalence of AI requiring treatment with hydrocortisone (a) daily (peak cortisol <350nmol/l) (b) on sick days only (peak co...

Background: Increased risk of cardiovascular disease and increased subclinical atherosclerosis have been reported in children with primary adrenal insufficiency (AI), including those with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), when compared to healthy children. Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) can be used as an early marker of cardiovascular risk. The severity of adverse metabolic profile has been related to the total hydrocortisone dose and duration of tr...

Background: Childhood adrenal insufficiency (AI) is generally treated with immediate release hydrocortisone (IRH), which has a short half-life, requiring multiple daily doses. Modified-release hard hydrocortisone capsules (Efmody®) (MRH) is licenced for use in children >12yrs with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).Aims: (1) Describe the characteristics of children switched to MRH; (2) Report blood spot 17-hydro...

Background: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis may be suppressed at birth. In most infants this is tolerated well. HPA testing in infancy often generates ‘abnormal’ results although abnormalities of the HPA may not be identified and cortisol measurements often ‘normalise’ over time.[1]Aim: To contribute to the evidence base on neonatal HPA activity by reporting outcomes of infants age &...

Introduction: Proton beam therapy (PBT) is being used increasingly for craniopharyngioma, as it is perceived to be a major benefit. There are some limited data relating to endocrine dysfunction following PBT, but very limited data on hypothalamic disturbance. Here we report two patients who presented with hypothalamic disruption immediately following PBT for craniopharyngioma.Case 1: A 12 year old girl presented with sei...

Introduction: Hypomethylation at the imprinting control region 2 (IC2) on chromosome 11p15.5 is the commonest identifiable cause of Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome (BWS). IC2 is located in KCNQ1 intron 10 and is associated with Long QT syndrome (LQTS). A recent consensus statement on BWS1 recommends annual cardiac evaluation with electrocardiogram (ECG) in these patients. The natural history of LQTS secondary to hypomethylation at IC2 in BWS is...