ESPE Abstracts

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) leads to markedly elevated circulating levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and is associated with a significantly increased cardiovascular mortality already in childhood and adolescence. FH is caused by dominant mutations in the genes encoding LDL-receptor (LDLR), ApoB-100 and protein convertase subtilin/kexin9 (PCSK9), whereas rarely recessive forms due to mutations in LDL receptor adaptor protein 1 (LDLRAP1...

Background: Recently PTF1A enhancer mutations have been described in subjects with early-onset exocrine and endocrine pancreas insufficiency.Objective: To describe the clinical course in three children with PTF1A enhancer mutations, in particular anthropometric development, insulin requirement and diabetes control.Method: Retrospective analysis of growth, weight and BMI development as well as insulin requirement and HbA1c level in ...

Background: Arginine HCl infusion is commonly used in the diagnostic workup of GH deficiency. There is a paucity of data whether obesity and/or short stature modulate arginine plasma concentration and associated arginine-stimulated GH secretion following a weight-based arginine infusion protocol.Objective and hypotheses: To study whether auxiological parameters modulate the arginine plasma concentration profile and associated GH secretion in children und...

Background: Several studies observed a positive secular trend for the occurrence of earlier puberty. Genetic background, weight gain, and environmental factors are assumed as contributors. In March 2020, WHO declared a worldwide pandemic of COVID-19. To reduce transmission, Germany and many other countries imposed regulations of social distancing and lockdowns leading to significant changes in daily life for children followed by an increase in obesity but also...

Background: The EU-IGFD registry was established to monitor the safety and effectiveness of recombinant human IGF-I (rhIGF-I) (mecasermin (rDNA origin) injection; Increlex®) for short stature in children with SPIGFD, including those with Laron syndrome (LS).Objective: To report patient characteristics, effectiveness and safety data in clinically relevant patient subgroups.Methods: Data were compiled from this ongoin...

Objective: To report on a pediatric case series of massive insulin overdose, its altered pharmacokinetics and the patients favorable outcome.Cases and results: Case 1: 300 IU of insulin aspart were subcutaneously injected into a non-diabetic eight-year-old boy within an extended suicide. After 16 hours he was found unconscious with generalized convulsions. The initial blood glucose concentration was below detection limit. It normalized o...

Context: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a multisystemic complex genetic disorder. Individuals with PWS are at risk to develop sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive and central sleep apnea syndromes. PWS patients commonly receive Growth hormone (GH) treatment. Concerns have been raised following reports of sudden death shortly after GH initiation. During recent years GH treatment was increasingly initiated earlier – commencing treatment already during the first...

Background: The EU-IGFD registry comprises data for children with severe primary IGF-I deficiency (SPIGFD) receiving rhIGF-I (mecasermin [rDNA origin] injection; Increlex®) for growth failure.Objective: To report patient characteristics, effectiveness and safety data for children receiving rhIGF-I for SPIGFD and achieving AH.Methods: Patients from this ongoing observational study (NCT00903110) were included in analy...

Background: The post-authorization registry, EU-IGFD, was initiated in Dec-2008 to collect data in children with growth failure receiving Increlex® (Mecasermin [rDNA Origin] Injection).Objective and hypotheses: To report patient characteristics, safety and effectiveness data in poor-responders (i.e. with change in year 1 Height SDS <0.3).Method: European, multicentre, open-label, observational study; eCRF data collection.<...

Background: Low birth weight and unfavourable intrauterine conditions are associated with long-term effects on life.Objective and hypotheses: In a longitudinal study, we followed genetically identical twins with intra-twin birth-weight (bw) differences due to twin–twin transfusion syndrome from birth until after puberty. We propose that differences in birth weight lead to differences in hormone levels with effects on personality and cognitive functi...