ESPE Abstracts

Objective: To describe clinical, laboratory and genetic characteristics of 42 short children from 34 consanguineous Turkish families.Design: Descriptive case series.Methods: After collecting clinical information, DNA samples were analysed in three European laboratories. In 18 children (12 families) suspected of a genetic defect in the growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor ...

This presentation provides an overview of genetics relevant to pediatric endocrine nursing practice. A brief genetic primer for nurses will be given followed by discussion of patient and clinician barriers to genetic literacy. Genetic competencies for nursing practice will be reviewed and application will be demonstrated through several pediatric endocrinecase presentations. At completion, participants will be able to incorporate concepts of genetic literacy and apply genetic ...

Background: Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is one of the important hormonal mediators of human growth. Circulating IGF-I exists in a ternary complex bound to the acid-labile subunit (ALS) and one of its six binding proteins (BPs). IGF-I bound to ALS and BPs needs to be liberated by either Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protease A (PAPP-A) or A2 (PAPP-A2) to reach its receptor. Stanniocalcin 2 (STC2) is a potent inhibitor of both PAPP-A and PAPP-A2. Genome-wide association s...

Background: Pituitary gigantism is an extremely rare disorder characterised by GH excess that occurs before fusion of the epiphyseal growth plates.Case summary: A 13 years 6 month old Chinese boy presented to the paediatric endocrine outpatient clinic with tall stature. He was noted by his parents to have a continued growth spurt since 9 years old, and he required new shoes and clothes every school term. He had no headaches or visual disturbances. There ...

Background: Main features of the autosomal dominant form of GH deficiency (IGHD II) include markedly reduced secretion of GH combined with low concentrations of IGF-I leading to short stature.Objective and hypotheses: We report on a girl referred for assessment of short stature (−4.6 SDS) at a chronological age of 7 yr 10 mo. The GH deficiency was confirmed by standard GH provocation tests, which revealed severely reduced GH and IGF-I concentration...

Introduction: The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health1 highlights the importance of growth as a measurement of health and wellbeing in children. Growth measurements in children can only be evaluated if plotted on a growth chart. The use of growth charts was reviewed in Forth Valley Royal Hospital Paediatric department over 10 days in all clinics held in the paediatric outpatient department.Method: Case notes of all c...

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous disorder with multiple aetiologies. Monogenic diabetes accounts for an estimated 2–5% of cases and is often associated with impaired pancreas development and β-cell dysfunction. Heterozygous mutations in the transcription factor, HNF1B, result in multi-system disease including diabetes due to β-cell dysfunction, hepatic insulin resistance and pancreatic hypoplasia. However, the mechanisms that underlie development...

Background: Small for gestational age (SGA) without subsequent catch up growth is an indication for GH treatment in Europe, the US, and Korea but not in Australia. However, many SGA are likely to be included under the ‘short stature and slow growth’ (SSSG) indication. It is unknown to what extent children born SGA are included in the Australian indications or how they differ from non-SGA patients within each indication and gender.Objective and ...

Children with Type 1 diabetes are experiencing higher levels of overweight and obesity as a consequence of intensive insulin therapy as well as background socioeconomic and environmental factors that are contributing to excess adiposity in the general population. The consequences of obesity in people with type 1 diabetes are of particular concern, as obesity in adults increases the risk of both diabetes-related and obesity-related complications, including cardiovascular diseas...

Background: PAPP-A2 (pregnancy-associated plasma protein A2) deficiency, caused by homozygous mutations in the PAPP-A2 gene results in a novel syndrome of significant growth failure. PAPP-A2 cleaves IGF binding proteins 3 and 5, thereby freeing IGF-I from its ternary complex and allowing it to become biologically active. We recently reported the first two families with PAPP-A2 mutations. Response to recombinant human IGF-I (rhIGF-1) in these patients is unknown.<p class="a...