ESPE Abstracts

Delayed puberty (DP) is defined as a retardation of sexual maturation beyond the expected age, which conventionally is between 8 and 13 years in females. Since DP due to hypogonadism requires a specific treatment, it is crucial to promptly define the underlying pathogenesis and identify a tailored program of care. Hormonal therapy is essential to promote the development of secondary sexual characteristics, bone, muscle, and social, sexual, and psychologic skills. Despite the o...

Background: AAAS is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by adrenal insufficiency, alacrimia, achalasia and neurological symptoms. The disease-causing AAAS gene encodes for the ALADIN nuclear pore protein.Case presentation: Case 1: A girl (born to unrelated parents) presented at age 3.9 years with fatigue and hyperpigmented skin. Clinical examination was normal, clumsy gait was noted. Endocrine studies confirmed adrenal insufficiency (F=9 mg/ml,...

Background: X-Linked Adrenoleucodystrophy (X-ALD) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterised by impaired peroxisomal beta-oxidation of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA; ≧C22) which is reduced to about 30% of control levels. Consequently, there is an accumulation of VLCFA in plasma and tissues, including the white matter of the brain, the spinal cord and adrenal cortex. It is caused by mutation in the ABCD1 gene encoding a peroxisomal transmembrane protein (ALD...

Congenital Central Hypothyroidism (CeH) is a rare and heterogenous disease that can be part of a combined pituitary hormone deficit (CPHD) condition. The immunoglobulin superfamily member 1 (IGSF1) is the gene more frequently involved in these inherited forms and responsible for the so called X-linked IGSF1 deficiency syndrome, characterized by an estimated incidence of 1: 100.000. The main features are CeH, delayed/disharmonic pubertal development, macroorchidism, va...

Background: Pubertal induction in girls with hypogonadism through estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) aims at the development of secondary sexual characteristics, cognitive functions, uterine growth and maturation, bone mass accrual and linear growth. To date, the best induction regimen, capable of assuring both physiological gradual progression through Tanner stages and effective uterine development, is still to be established.Patients a...

Background: Central hypothyroidism (CeH) is a rare thyroid hormone deficiency due to an insufficient stimulation of a normal thyroid gland. Candidate genes for isolated CeH include TSHβ, TRH receptor (TRHR) or IGSF1 genes while the combined pituitary hormone deficits (CPHDs) are the consequence of defects in embryonic pituitary transcription factors or in the prokineticin receptor 2 (PROKR2).Patients series: Here we report nine males (M) and 15 fema...

Background: Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, a condition of central hypogonadism secondary to deficiency of gonadotropin releasing hormone and/or gonadotropins, is a rare disease affecting approximately 1 in 5000-15,000. A key step in improving understanding of best practice in this condition is the collection of geographically widespread data. Standardised and accessible international data collection can facilitate this, with implementation of established proto...

Background: Prenatal dexamethasone treatment (Pdex) has been used since the 1980s to prevent virilization in female offspring suspected to have congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). However, due to lack of strong evidence for its best practice as well as limited data regarding long term adverse effects, use of dex is highly controversial. This study reveals the current medical practice regarding Pdex in female fetuses at risk of CAH due to 21 hydroxylase defic...