ESPE Abstracts

Background: In gender dysphoric adolescents GnRH agonists can be used to suppress pubertal development of the natal sex. Subsequently cross sex hormones can be given to induce pubertal development of the experienced gender. Only few data are available on the safety of this treatment. Lipid levels are known to increase during puberty and pubertal suppression may alter this increase. In gender dysphoric male-to female (MtF) adults oestrogens has been shown to result in a more fa...

Background: CHARGE syndrome (acronym for coloboma of the eye, heart defects, atresia of the choanae, retardation of growth and/or development, genital hypoplasia, and ear abnormalities) is caused by a mutation in the CHD7 gene. CHARGE syndrome shares features with Prader-Willi syndrome, especially regarding hypothalamic-pituitary abnormalities. In Prader-Willi syndrome, central adrenal insufficiency (CAI) during stressful conditions has been described in a large number of pati...

Background: In gender dysphoric adolescents GnRH agonists can be used to suppress pubertal development of the natal sex. The metabolic implications of the pubertal suppression have not yet been explored. Insulin sensitivity is known to be influenced by pubertal changes. During puberty a decrease in insulin sensitivity is normally observed.Objective and hypotheses: The effects of GnRH agonists on insulin sensitivity during 2 years of treatment in adolesce...

Background: Central diabetes insipidus may result from mutations in the preproAVP gene, most often heterozygous and occurring de novo or inherited in an autosomal dominant mode; in these cases, intracellular accumulation of the misfolded product of the mutated allele slowly destroys the AVP-producing neurons, so that the onset of symptoms may be delayed for up to 28 years by which time the posterior pituitary hyperintense signal is no longer visible on magnetic resonance imagi...

Background: Congenital panhypopituitarism is associated with a variety of gene mutations. Abnormalities in the Gli2 gene were only recently described to be associated with congenital panhypopituitarism (Franca et al. 2010). Gli2 is a gene that encodes a transcription factor downstream of the Sonic Hedgehog pathway – known to play an important role in morphogenesis during embryology.Objective and hypotheses: Although Gli2 mutations were described to ...

Background: IGFI regulates early postnatal growth of preterm infants and also plays an important role in growth in childhood. Very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants are at risk for reduced growth in early childhood.Objective and hypotheses: To compare IGFI and the correlation to growth parameters in infancy and early childhood in VLBW and term appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants.Method: We included 41 VLBW children and 64 t...

Background and Objectives: Childhood obesity is a global public health threat, with an alarming rise in incidence. Obesity at young age has short-term consequences, as well as long-term morbidity. It is, therefore, important to determine body composition longitudinal throughout infancy and childhood to prevent excess adiposity. Multiple methods are used to determine body composition in infants and young children, but none are described as suitable for longitud...

Background: A growth prediction model would not only allow patients with growth disorders the opportunity to see the expected effect of their recombinant human growth hormone (r hGH) treatment, but also support healthcare professionals to individualise treatment to optimise growth outcomes.Aim: To develop a growth prediction model in children with growth disorders.Patients and Methods: Height and c...

Background: In bilateral anorchia or vanishing testes syndrome, testicular function is normal during the embryonic period, as shown by the absence of Müllerian remnants and of hypospadias. Although normally differentiated, the penis may be small due to decreased testosterone secretion during the fetal period. In a normally virilised boy with non-palpable testes, with or without micropenis, the diagnosis is established by undetectable plasma anti-Müllerian hormone (AM...

Background: Treatment for growth disorders requires daily injections of recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) over multiple years, and automated devices may help in this regard. The ability to adjust injection device settings, which are pre-set as default unless changed by healthcare professionals, may improve patient comfort and needle anxiety and thereby improve adherence.Aim: To study the association between inject...