ESPE Abstracts

Background: Many cross-sectional studies have demonstrated that serum testosterone concentration is an important biochemical predictor of bone mineral density in young males, but to our knowledge, no longitudinal studies have been carried out to support these cross-sectional data.Aims: to examine the associations between serum testosterone concentration at the age of 12 and the following gain in bone mineral density unti...

Background: Individuals born with a 45,X/46,XY karyotype can present with diverging phenotypes from normal male, Turner-like to ambiguous genitalia, the latter classically being called mixed gonadal dysgenesis. No correlation between phenotype and degree of mosaicisms in the karyotype could be ascertained so far, making clinical management of these patients difficult.Objective: To understand, if androgen action through the androgen receptor (AR) is compr...

Background: Nutrient deprivation during early development has been associated with the predisposition to metabolic disorders in numerous epidemiological studies. Experiments with rodents also indicate a developmental plasticity of neuropsychological characteristics following alterations of early postnatal nutrition.Objective: Considering its interaction with metabolism and regulation of appetite and behavior, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) may represen...

Background: Actual surgical procedures for the treatment of patients with VSD (Variation of Sex Development), in particular severe hypospadias, are associated with frequent post-operative complications.Objective and hypotheses: Tissue engineered collagen tubes are a promising alternative.Method: We elaborated a new, two layered, collagen based tube that can be sutured. Mechanical testing proved a better resistance of those tubes co...

Background: In the last decade, an increase in the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) has been observed worldwide, as well as an increase in the incidence of allergies in childhood. Both diseases are characterized by an imbalance between Th1- and Th2 cells. Autoimmune disorders are considered to be associated with a Th1 immune response while allergic diseases with a Th2 response. However, studies conducted to find a correlation between T1D and atopic diseases are hete...

Background: Folate and cobalamin are needed for synthesis of methionine, a substrate of methylation in epigenetic, and epigenomic pathways. Methyl donor deficiency (MDD) leads to hyperhomocysteinemia, which has been related to osteoporosis in humans and disruption of epiphyseal cartilage and bone development in rodents. Recent studies have revealed evidence for association between 25(OH)D3 and homocysteine levels, however, underlying mechanisms remain elusive.<p...

Introduction: As successful rates of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are on the rise, late endocrine and metabolic effects of these survivors have become more prevalent.Aims: We aimed to characterise the endocrine abnormalities observed following HSCT.Subjects and methods: A retrospective descriptive study in paediatric post-HSCT patients (< 18 years-old) follow...

Background: Liver steatosis (LS) results from ectopic fat deposition and can be present in obesity even at early ages. Similar to insulin resistance, the onset of LS does not seem to depend exclusively upon the severity of obesity and shows a large interindividual variability.Objective: Our objective was to develop a predictive normogram for LS in children and adolescents with obesity ba...

Background: Patients with disorders of sex development (DSD) require multidisciplinary team management for etiology identification and gender assignment. Identification of mullerian structures is an important part of the evaluation process. Ultrasonography remains the first-line imaging modality to delineate mullerian structures; while the importance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is insufficiently studied.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate the d...

Background: Diabetes is the third commonest chronic disease of childhood. When a child or an adolescent is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D), adaptation to a new life is usually a challenge for the whole family. There are specific challenges posed by T1D on the affected children, and their families, at different developmental age groups. The correlation between HbA1c and age specific psychological challenges, to our knowledge, has not been previously explored in the Middle ...