ESPE Abstracts

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...

Aims: The balance between hypo/hypercortisolism and hypo/hyperandrogenism is the main challenge in clinical management of patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OH-D). In adults, it has been established that both over and under-treatment might lead to the development cardiovascular risk factors. To date, only a few studies have addressed weather this risk begins in childhood. Aim of our study is to define the presence of early metabolic risk factors preval...

Objective: The balance between hypocortisolism and hyperandrogenism in patients with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) treated with lifelong glucocorticoid (GC) is challenging. Glucocorticoid receptors are widely expressed in the brain; therefore it has been hypothesized that alterations in the exposure to glucocorticoids may affect cognitive ability in individuals with CAH. Only few studies have addressed this issue in children and results are scan...

Introduction: Familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD) is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by ACTH-resistant isolated cortisol deficiency. FGD usually presents with hypoglycemia, convulsions, prolonged jaundice, and marked skin hyperpigmentation in the early period of life. Several defects in MC2R, MRAP, MCM4, NNT, and TXNRD2 genes are related to FGD. In all these situations, plasma ACTH is high. By contrast, all reported cases of glucocorticoi...

Background: Adrenal insufficiency (AI) is a rare condition caused by an inadequate production of glucocorticoids. Preliminary data in adults suggest that AI could be associated with an increased susceptibility to infections; moreover, AI patients are at risk to develop a severe course of infectious diseases and to experience a life-threatening adrenal crisis. The aim of our study is to evaluate the severity and the outcome of COVID-19 in pediatric AI patients ...

Background: Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) is a rare life-threatening disorder. Data on PAI in children are scanty, with the exception of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD).Objective and hypotheses: Evaluate etiology of PAI in a large cohort of children and characterize clinical presentation in subjects with PAI not due to 21-OHD.Method: Children followed in eight tertiary centers wer...