ESPE Abstracts

Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) is a rare, potentially life-threatening, condition due to abnormalities of steroid biosynthesis or of adrenal gland development and responsiveness. PAI is characterized by impaired secretion of glucocorticoids and can be accompanied by mineralocorticoid and adrenal androgens deficiency or excess, depending on the underlying cause. In adults, the most common etiology is represented by autoimmunity. In contrast, the disease in children is more...

Background: It is well known that GH deficiency (GHD) in adulthood is associated with detrimental cardiovascular (CV) effects. Although data are controversial, adolescents with childhood-onset GHD (COGHD) and reconfirmed GHD may have increased metabolic risk after GH treatment withdrawal at final height (FH).Aim: Aim of our study is to compare growth response and metabolic profile in idiopathic COGHD adolescents with rec...

Background: Several studies have investigated the effects of GH replacement therapy (GHRT) on thyroid function in children with GH deficiency (GHD) leading to contrasting results. Indeed, GHRT has been reported to affect the peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones, to alter TSH secretion by pituitary and to unmask secondary hypothyroidism.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate long-term effects of GHRT on thyroid function in a large cohort of GHD childr...

Background: GH deficiency (GHD) in adults has been consistently associated with increased adiposity and decreased lean mass. Data in childhood are still scanty and the most appropriate tools to assess body composition in these children remain to be established.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate the effects of GHD and GH replacement therapy (GHRT) on body composition in GHD children and make a comparison between DXA and anthropometric measures in evalu...

Background: Mutations in the 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17βHSD 3) result in 46,XY disorder of sex development (DSD). Biochemical hallmark of 17βHSD 3 deficiency is a Testosterone/Androstenedione ratio (T/A ratio) <0.8. 17βHSD 3 mutations have been associated with a wide spectrum of phenotypes, ranging from under-virilized male to a female appearance of genitalia at birth. Indeed, 17βHSD 3 deficiency in prepubertal patients is often clinicall...

Background: Recent studies demonstrate that children with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) may develop visceral adiposity and insulin-resistance. Data on adipocytokines are scanty and contradictory.Objective: To evaluate leptin and adiponectin concentrations in CAH adolescents and investigate their correlation with glucocorticoids and hormonal and metabolic profile.Methods: Leptin, adiponectin, insulin and HOMA were evaluated i...

Background: The effects of GH deficiency (GHD) and GH replacement therapy (GHRT) on body composition and functional measures of physical fitness are largely unknown particularly in children.Study aim: To evaluate body composition, muscular strength and flexibility, and exercise tolerance in GHD children at baseline and after one-year GHRT.Patients and methods: We enrolled 19 children and adolescents with untreated ...

Background: Thyroid hormone plays a key role in bone mineral homeostasis and significant alterations in its circulating levels have been associated with an impairment in skeletal growth during childhood. To date, the effects of subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) on bones have not been studied and the management of this condition is still debated.Aim: To evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) in children with mild, persistent S...

Background: Autoimmune’s thyroiditis (AT) is the most common cause of thyroid diseases in children and adolescents with a peak in early to mid-puberty (prevalence of 0.3–1.2%). Previous studies showed a high rates of familiarity for autoimmune disease (AD) and co-existing autoimmunity in AT subjects.Objective and hypotheses: Aim of our study is to investigate familiarity for AD and co-existing autoimmunity in a large cohort of pediatric AT pati...

Background: The benefits of levothyroxine (L-T4) therapy in subjects with mild SH (TSH between 5 and 10 mU/l with normal FT4 values) are controversial. Current recommendations in adults suggest to start on treatment selected groups of subjects with mild SH and evidence of atherosclerotic CV disease. Data in children are lacking.Objective and hypotheses: To investigate the effect of L-T4 treat...