ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: The phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) hamartoma tumour syndrome (PHTS) groups related multi-system genetic disorders linked to germline mutations in the PTEN gene. There is an increased risk of thyroid cancer in PHTS, with some cases arising in childhood. Annual surveillance for thyroid cancer by ultrasound is recommended.Case report: A 15 year old female was referred to Paediatric Endocrinology by Clinical Genetics fo...

Background: Mutations in BRAF are a rare cause of cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome (CFC). Recently, BRAF mutations have been reported in papillary craniopharyngiomas, but have not been described in patients with other hypothalamo-pituitary abnormalities. We describe three patients with CFC and septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) associated with heterozygous BRAF mutations.Cases: Patients presented in childhood with clinical features of ge...

Introduction: We report two siblings presenting with pre-pubertal gynaecomastia and macro-orchidism, who were later diagnosed with Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (PJS) secondary to a STK11 gene variant. Importantly neither child fulfilled the clinical criteria for diagnosis at presentation, with no muco-cutaneous pigmentation nor gastrointestinal symptoms.Case report: Sibling 1 was referred to Paediatric Endocrinology aged 4 years with ...

Background: Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous syndrome, characterized by pre- and postnatal growth restriction among other features. Pathogenic variants in genes involved in the HMGA2-PLAG1-IGF2 pathway have been found to cause an SRS phenotype. Here we present four individuals with variants in the PLAG1 gene, exhibiting features of SRS. Two siblings of the same family inherited the PLAG1 variant from...

Background: There is increasing recognition that the in utero environment might influence obesity risk.Objective and Hypotheses: We explored the hypothesis that smoking and alcohol consumption in pregnancy are associated with offspring body composition using the Southampton Women’s Survey mother-offspring birth cohort study.Method: At 34 weeks’ gestation, maternal smoking and any alcohol intake in the preceding 1...

Background: Recent studies using data from the International Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) Registry (www.i-cah.org) (1), have provided valuable insight into the determinants of reported acute adrenal insufficiency (AI) related adverse events, demonstrating that the I-CAH Registry can be used as a tool to create clinical benchmarks in CAH care.Methods: Care quality reports were created for 32 centres who participat...

Background: Neonatal vitamin D deficiency (VDD) can result in symptomatic hypocalcemia, seizures and cardiomyopathy and has been associated with reduced bone mineralization in childhood, but is potentially preventable with antenatal cholecalciferol supplementation. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the vitamin D metabolism pathway are associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in adulthood. We assessed whether maternal and/or offspring SNPs in ...

Background: In later life, osteoporosis and poor cognitive function often co-exist. This has commonly been attributed to post-menopausal estrogen loss, but there is increasing recognition of cross-talk between the brain and bone. For example, in animal models, bone derived osteocalcin has positive associations with brain volume and cognitive function whilst brain-derived neurotransmitters appear to influence bone mass. Despite this, a common early life origin ...

Background: In selected cohorts, a genetic cause is found in up to 40% of children presenting with severe short stature (height <-3 SDS) and 30% with multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD). Since 2020, to inform diagnosis and tailor management, three NHS England genomic laboratory hubs (GLHs) have offered clinicians access to gene panels as part of routine care for short stature: R147 ‘Growth failure in early childhood’ (e...

Introduction: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is associated with long-term health problems. However, little is known about co-morbidities and their onset in children and young persons (CYP).Objective: To establish the health status of CYP with CAH across the United Kingdom.Methods: A multi-centre prospective study recruited 102 patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency targeting...