ESPE Abstracts

Background: Coeliac disease (CD) can be associated with impaired growth in children after a prolonged period of Gluten-free diet (GFD). A small percentage of CD patients does not show catch-up growth during GFD because of GH secretion deficiency (GHD) that could be associated with antipituitary autoantibodies (APA).Objective and hypotheses: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of recombinant human GH (rhGH) therapy on final adult height in children w...

Background: GH has been shown to influence glucose homeostasis through a negative effect on insulin sensitivity followed by a compensatory increase of insulin secretion. However it has been recently reported, in animals and in humans, that GH might stimulate insulin secretion also through a direct effect on the growth and on the function of the pancreatic β cell.Objective and hypotheses: To study longitudinally the insulin sensitivity (HOMA-S), the ...

Background: Pubertal gynecomastia is a common condition appearing in up to 65% of adolescent boys. However, if male breast development is over B3–B4 and lasts more than 2–3 years, persistent pubertal gynecomastia (PPG) may be the sign of serious endocrine disease and the source of considerable psychological discomfort.Objective and hypotheses: We investigated a cohort of 24 adolescents with PPG followed at the Pediatric Endocrinogy Unit over a ...

Background: The onset of physiological puberty in females is characterized by physical, hormonal, and genital changes. However, a single specific parameter to early identify these modifications does not exist; its identification could be extremely useful in the evaluation of pubertal development disorders. The uterine artery pulsatility index (PI), defined as systolic peak – diastolic peak/average speed of maximum flow, is an expression of vascular compliance in the uteri...

Background: GnRH analogs (GnRHa) have been used in the management of central precocious puberty (CPP). The response to GnRHa treatment are evaluated by clinical, hormonal, and ultrasonographic criteria. However, a single parameter to define the adequacy of therapy is not defined. The uterine artery pulsatility index (PI), defined as systolic peak – diastolic peak/average speed of maximum flow, is an expression of vascular compliance in the uterine artery. Circulating estr...

Context: Heterozygous mutations in TSH recepter (TSHR) have been described associated with mild TSH resistance characterized by non autoimmune hyperthyrotropinemia (NAH). The prevalence of this condition varies in different reports.Objective: To determine the prevalence of TSHR variants in pediatric NAH.Subjects and methods: Thirty-five non obese unrelated children with NAH (18 girls, aged 1–19 years) were enrolled. A...

Background: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency is reported to be common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and associated with disease activity, physical disability, and cardiometabolic intermediates; data in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) are inconsistent.Objective and hypotheses: To assess serum 25(OH)D in children, adolescents, and young adults with JIA, and to identify the risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in JIA patie...

Background: GH has several effects on lipid and glucose homeostasis. In adults GH deficiency (GHD) has been associated to increased mortality for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In childhood few studies have investigated the effect of GHD and recombinant human GH (rhGH) therapy on metabolic parameters that may increase the risk of CVD.Objective and hypotheses: To assess changes of lipid profile, insulin-resistance indexes, and CVD risk in children and adol...

Background: Hypocalcemia is a common metabolic disorder in the neonatal period and may involve life-threatening situations. The aim is to analyze the main causes of hypocalcemia and its management.Objective and hypotheses: The aim is to analyze the main causes of hypocalcemia and its management.Method: Retrospective descriptive study by reviewing reports of 75 patients diagnosed of neonatal hypocalcemia (total Ca <7.6 mg/dl and...

Background: With improvements in assays and an increasing need for non-invasive out-patient based investigations, there is a renewed interest in the use of urinary gonadotrophins (uGn) for assessing pubertal progress.Objective and hypotheses: This study aims to establish the correlation between serum and urinary LH and FSH in patients with pubertal concerns.Method: 36 boys and girls aged 14.9 years (range 7.8–17.3) and 9.5 yea...