ESPE Abstracts

Background: Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic disorder characterised by developmental and growth abnormalities, insatiable appetite, and excessive eating (hyperphagia). Hyperphagia is thought to be driven by supraphysiological levels of the appetite stimulating hormone ghrelin; however, the underlying causes of hyperghrelinaemia in PWS are currently unknown. Recently, ghrelin-reactive autoantibodies (isotype IgG) were identified in non-genetic obesity and were f...

Background: Poor temperature regulation in Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) suggests dysautonomia probably secondary to hypothalamic dysfunction. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) has control over orexigenic ghrelin.Objective and hypotheses: We aim to assess ANS function in PWS and its association with acyl ghrelin.Method: We recruited 16 genetically-confirmed children with PWS and 16 controls. Exclusion criteria were diabetes mellitu...