ESPE Abstracts

Background: Differences in hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA-)axis functioning have been proposed to underlie gender-specific cardiovascular and neurocognitive disease susceptibility.Objective and hypotheses: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to test the hypothesis that gender-specific differences in HPA-axis activity are already present in childhood.Method: We searched two electronic databases (PubMed ...

Background: Birth weight (BW) is often used as a proxy for gestational age (GA) by studies on preterm birth. Recent data indicate that the terms very-low-birth-weight (VLBW; BW <1500 g) and very preterm (VP; GA <32 weeks) birth are not equivalent with regard to perinatal outcomes and postnatal growth up until final height. It is unknown whether the differences between these terms could be extended to long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.Objectiv...

Background: The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis displays a diurnal rhythm, peaking in the morning and with a nadir at night. However, not much is known about the development of the HPA- axis, although strikingly some evidence suggests that a rhythm with a peak in the afternoon is already present antenatally. We aimed to describe HPA-axis activity at age 1 month as well as study possible influencing factors.Methods</stro...