ESPE Abstracts

Background: Children with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) require glucocorticoid replacement. The measurement of cortisol and steroid precursors in saliva is particularly suitable for pediatric endocrinology. Data on salivary cortisol measurements in patients with CAH is limited.Objective and hypothesis: The cortisol in saliva shows a circadian rhythm even under steroid substitution. This is independent of...

Background: Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is characterised by a central deficiency of arginine vasopressin (AVP) with polyuria and polydipsia. The etiology is heterogeneous. The treatment of choice is the oral or nasal application of DDAVP (synthetic analogue of AVP). CDI in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) has been reported in an individual case.Case report: We present a 9-year old male with CDI of u...

Background: Treatment of pediatric obesity is challenging and especially the long-term outcome has been modest in many previous studies.Objective and hypotheses: We wanted to evaluate the efficacy of obesity treatment in specialist care and to find out factors, which have a major impact on the outcome.Methods: A total of 654 children (302 girls) aged 2–18 years treated for obesity between 2005 and 2012 in three specialist clin...

Background and aims: Existence and diagnostic procedures of neurosecretory dysfunction (NSD) are still a matter of debate. The aim of the study was to analyse prediagnostic data of short-statured children with pathologic and normal spontaneous GH-secretion and to evaluate the effect of GH-therapy in NSD-patients.Methods: Of 90 children aged 3–16 years, in whom 12-hour night profiles for GH-secretion were performed (unicentric), in 49 NSD was diagnos...

Introduction: Turner syndrome (TS) is a rare X-chromosomal disease, which affects one in 2500-3000 female newborns. TS is associated with a distinct cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Arterial hypertension is present in up to 50% of young TS women and closely related to the onset of aortic dilatation and dissection. The effective management of arterial hypertension can be considered as crucial to improve overall cardiovascular outcome of TS women. In the ...

Background: Pharmacologic options for treatment of osteolytic diseases especially in children are limited. Although not licensed for use, denosumab, a fully humanized antibody to RANKL, is used in children and shows good effects. Among others, one indication are giant cell tumors of the bone. Yet, there are reports of severe hypercalcemia after stop of denosumab, an adverse effect which is rarely seen in adults.Case reports: Four patients, aged 6, 13 and...

Introduction: Growth velocity is reduced in patients with GH deficiency and this may result in an increase in Body Mass Index (BMI). Treatment performed with Growth Hormone (GH) while accelerating growth velocity, might reduce BMI. The objective of this study was to evaluate BMI in patients with GHD at diagnosis, 1 y and 2 y after started treatment with GH and to compare if there is difference between the BMI of the patients with and without pituitary abnormalities.<p clas...

Background and aims: The aromatase inhibitor letrozole is used to improve final height in boys with predicted short stature by delaying bone age (BA) maturation due to suppression of estradiol levels. There are few data regarding its effects, especially when used as single medication.Methods: Ten pubertal boys with predicted low final height treated with letrozole 2.5 mg/d p.o. (no other medication) for up to 24 months were analysed for auxological, labo...

Background: Epidemiological evidence in Europe indicates the increasing prevalence of premature puberty, especially in girls. This may be attributed to in utero and early-life exposure to environmental estrogen-like compounds present in pesticides, plastics (bisphenol A, phtalates …) and beauty products.Objective and hypotheses: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of premature thelarche (PT) and central precocious puberty (C...

Background and aims: Glucocorticoid treatment may influence bone and muscle development in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). This study evaluated bone mineral density (BMD), bone geometry and muscle mass longitudinally throughout childhood.Methods: 18 patients (ten males, eight females) with classical CAH were included. BMD, bone geometry and muscle mass were measured using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) in prepubert...