ESPE Abstracts

Liquid chromatography associated with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is currently considered the gold standard for steroid measurement. The aim of this study was to compare traditional immunoassay and LC-MS/MS methods for androgens measurement before and after human recombinant chorionic gonadotrophin (hrCG) stimulation in children with diagnosis of disorder of sex development (DSD) with 46,XY karyotype and past of normal testosterone secretion. We evaluated 19 patients, ...

Introduction: Primary Pseudotumor cerebri (PPTC), also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension, is clinically characterized by increased intracranial pressure in an alert and oriented patient, with no evidence of deformity or obstruction of the ventricular system on neuroimaging. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis is normal except for increased intracranial pressure at lumbar puncture, greater than the 90th percentile (28 cm of H2O) in the pediatric population. Papilledema may...

Background: Insulin resistance precedes metabolic syndrome abnormalities, and may promote cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in obese children. Lifestyle modification programs have been proposed as the gold standard of care in these individuals. However, results have been discouraging and the use of adjuvant strategies has been necessary. Metformin has beneficial effects on weight reduction, favoring a decrease in body mass index (BMI) and insulin resistance in obese n...

Background: The inheritable component of familial Papillary Thyroid Cancer (fPTC) was recently attributed to monogenic defects in a reduced number of genes including DICER1. DICER1 codes for a ribonuclease of the RNaseIII family essential for the biogenesis of microRNAs.Objective and hypotheses: We aimed to identify germline and/or somatic mutations in DICER1 in a familial pedigree with PTC, multinodular goiter (MNG) and other ...

Background: Growth spurt is a major event in central precocious puberty (CPP). GnRH analogue (GnRHa) therapy inhibits gonadal axis and decreases height velocity. However, serum IGF1 and IGFBP-3 remain high as before therapy. Reports on IGF type 1 receptor (IGF1R) in CPP are yet unavailable.Aim: To study IGF1R mRNA expression in girls with CPP before and during GnRHa therapy.Methods: 34 girls with CPP were studied. Sixteen of them (...

Background: The etiological investigation of central precocious puberty (CPP) has improved with more precise clinical approach, neuroimaging, and genetic studies. CPP can be caused by congenital or acquired conditions, with or without central nervous system (CNS) lesions. More recently, genetic and epigenetic disorders have been identified in children with CPP, previously classified as idiopathic.Objective: To update the...

Background: Data regarding epidemiology and management of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) in Italian children with T1D at disease onset are lacking.Method: From 1/1/2012 to 31/12/2013 a survey on DKA was conducted in all paediatric Centres belonging to the Italian Society for Pediatric Diabetology and Endocrinology. DKA was defined according to the ISPAD criteria. The following data were collected: treatment according ISPAD protocol yes or not, type of rehyd...

Children diagnosed with adrenocortical tumors (ACT) have variable prognosis depending on disease presentation at diagnosis. Available therapeutic options render excellent outcome for a subset of patients, but limited improvement in the survival of those diagnosed with non-localized/advanced disease. ACT DNA methylation was recently demonstrated to be a robust and independent prognostic biomarker. Aiming to identify potential therapeutic targets for these children, we compared ...

Abnormal DNA methylation contributes to tumor progression and is emerging as a prognostic marker in several types of cancers. To investigate whether DNA methylation is associated with pediatric adrenocortical tumor (pACT) presentation and patient prognosis, we analyzed the methylation profile of 57 tumors (MethylationEPIC BeadChip Array-Illumina) and patients’ clinicopathological features and outcome. The study comprehended 40 girls and 17 boys, with median age at diagnos...

Background: Impairment of the chromatin remodeling factors ATRX and DAXX and telomeres abnormality play a role in cancer biology, influencing the clinical outcomes. However, their roles in adrenal tumorigenesis require broader investigation.Aim: To evaluate ATRX and DAXX genotype and expression, telomere length, and the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), as well as their clinical significance, in primary adrenoc...