ESPE Abstracts

Context: Off-label and unlicensed use is widespread in medical therapy of children. Since 2007 there is an EU regulation, which includes the need for a pediatric investigation plan (PIP) in the drug approval process. In 2018, hydrocortisone granules in capsules for opening (Alkindi®) became the first medicine to be approved for the treatment of adrenal insufficiency in children from birth.Methods: An anonymised onli...

Context: Children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) require hydrocortisone replacement from birth. The highest ACTH driven endogenous production of androgens happens in the early morning. To achieve a good therapy control, immediate release hydrocortisone is given early in the morning or late at night. In year 2021 the hydrocortisone modified-release hard capsule (Efmody®) was approved by the European medicine agency and from September 2021 it is l...

Background: Treatment of CAH in children is compromised by the pharmacokinetic of available hydrocortisone (HC) preparations resulting in un-physiological early morning rise of ACTH followed by elevated androgens. HC substitution usually follows a fixed dosing scheme (50%–25%–25%) monitored by blood sampling.Objective and hypotheses: We describe the individualized optimization of HC treatment by 17-OHP saliva profiles and the effects of the res...

Context: Prenatal dexamethasone (Dex) therapy is used in female foetuses with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) to suppress adrenal androgen excess and prevent virilisation of the external genitalia. The prenatal dexamethasone dose of 20 µg/kg/d has been used for decades in prenatal CAH. Despite the risks for the treated mother and potentially for the unborn child, no clinical study or evaluation had been conducted in order to determine a Dex dose with a scientific rat...

Introduction: Children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and adrenal insufficiency (AI) rely on lifelong hormone replacement with hydrocortisone (HC). Alkindi® is the first HC licensed for children from birth to 18 years with AI, available in small doses of 0.5, 1, 2 and 5mg required for the needs of neonates, infants and children.Objectives: Primary: long-term safety of Alkindi®; Secondary: long-term d...

Context: Alkindi® (Hydrocortisone Granules, Diurnal Ltd, UK), was recently licensed for oral administration to children with adrenal insufficiency (AI) from birth to 18 years. Previously, children received compounded hydrocortisone to achieve age appropriate dosing, however almost 25% of batches were out of specification for mass and content uniformity and clinically evident under- and over-dosing was reported.Objectives: Primary: long-te...

Context: Children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and adrenal insufficiency (AI) require hydrocortisone replacement from birth. Continuous monitoring of therapy during growth is necessary. Until now, children were dependent on off label use with divided hydrocortisone tablets or pharmacy compounded capsules. A licensed paediatric formulation that allows accurate dosing down to 0.5mg is now available.Objective: ...

Background: Adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) develop an adverse metabolic and cardiovascular risk profile. Both over- and undertreatment with glucocorticoids are associated with these adverse metabolic effects. There is limited data available of changes in cardiovascular parameters during lifetime.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate unfavorable changes in cardiovascu...

Background: Differences in sexual development (DSD) are rare diagnoses, which affect the chromosomal, anatomical or gonadal sex differentiation. Although comprehensive counseling of patients and parents/carers is necessary to ensure a positive coping with the diagnosis and a well-informed decision-making, standardised programmes are lacking. Empower-DSD is a government-funded project, which developed an age-adapted multidisciplinary education programme to impr...

Introduction: Classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency results in impaired synthesis of gluco- and often also of mineralocorticoids. Early treatment with glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids prevents life-threatening crises. In some centres, additional salt is prescribed in the first year. However, until now the use of salt is controversial and not proved to result in better outcome in studies.<s...