ESPE Abstracts

Background: Growth is a multifactorial process involving genetic, nutritional and other environmental determinants. Because of a major proportion of ultimate stature is dependent upon an intact GH and IGF1 axis, much attention has been devoted to abnormalities related to these growth factors and their signalling pathways.Objective and hypotheses: At the tissue level, the action of GH result from the interaction of GH with a specific cell surface GH recep...

Background: Noonan syndrome (NS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by specific features including short stature, distinctive facial dysmorphic features, congenital heart defects, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, skeletal anomalies and webbing of the neck. Molecular screening has shown that the majority of individuals with NS have a mutation in the PTPN11 gene. Noonan syndrome children may show an impaired GH/IGF axis. Moreover, recombinant human GH (rhGH) has been sh...

Background: Human GH is a heterogeneous protein hormone consisting of several isoforms, the most abundant being 22 kDa- and 20 kDa-GH. The availability of analytical methods to measure these GH isoforms might represent a valuable diagnostic tool to investigate GH secretion in short stature.Objective and hypotheses: Aim of the present study was to measure circulating levels of 22 kDa- and 20 kDa-GH in children with different diagnosis of short stature suc...

Background: Patients with childhood-onset GH deficiency (GHD) are usually retested in late adolescence or young adulthood, after achievement of final height, to verify whether they need to continue GH treatment. Most of the patients found to have idiopathic GHD when tested as children have normal GH responses when retested in the early or late adolescence. Indeed, the 2007 Consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of GHD adults recommended that idiopathic GHD patien...

Background: α-klotho is a transmembrane protein which can be cleaved and act as a circulating hormone. Since low α-klotho levels were found in organic GH deficiency (GHD) and high levels in acromegaly, an interaction between α-klotho, GH and linear growth has been suggested.Objective and hypotheses: We investigated the role of α-klotho protein as a reliable marker of GH secretion in short children and the factors influencing its secre...

Introduction: Glucose sensor usage is increasing in the paediatric type 1 diabetes population. The sensor downloads can provide valuable information about glycaemic levels over a 90-day period and generate an estimated HbA1c based on the average glucose level.Aim: We aimed to test whether the sensor-estimated HbA1c over 90 days was an accurate prediction of the measured HbA1c and whether its accuracy correlated with perc...

Background: Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) is the most common co-morbidity in association with cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis related diabetes is predominantly an insulin deficiency state it shares features of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, yet there are important differences, which necessitate a unique approach to diagnosis and management. Development of cystic fibrosis related diabetes is associated with a worse lung function, poorer nutritional status, and more...

Background: Premature ovarian failure (POF) is uncommon in pediatrics and when occurs during the adolescence is typically iatrogenic or due to chromosomal anomaly. Also many genes have been identified that contribute to the development of POF, and most of these mutations are extremely rare.Objective: We describe a case of 15 years old female presented short stature and secondary amenorrhea, after a normal puberty but without peak height velocity. She was...

Background: Cushings syndrome is a rare entity in children and generally it presents a female to male predominance. The most common cause in childhood is iatrogenic Cushings syndrome related to chronic administration of glucocorticoids or ACTH. Endogenous Cushings syndrome is divided into ACTH dependent (ACTH overproduction due to pituitary adenoma or ectopic production) and in ACTH independent causes (surrenal adenoma, carcinoma, or bilateral hyperplasia).<p class="abstex...

Background: Macroprolactinomas are rare during childhood. Hypopituitarism is a common feature and recovery of pituitary function was reported following cabergoline therapy.Objective: We present a case of 13 year-old boy with macroprolactinoma who responded to cabergoline therapy with a complete regression of the tumor with a partial empty sella.Results: He complained of a decreased of right vision since 1 year. Evaluation of anteri...