ESPE Abstracts

Background: In North-Eastern Italy, a newborn screening for congenital adrenal hyperlpasia (CAH) has been taking place since 2001 to diagnose the classical form of 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD). Thanks to the screening program based on 17-OHP levels in dried blood spots, early diagnosis of CAH is possible, allowing appropriate precocious treatment and reducing mortality rates. Unfortunately, a high false positive rate, especially in preterm, low-birth-wei...

Background: Hypospadias is one of the most common congenital abnormalities in male. Nowadays, hypospadias surgical repair has become highly demanding and deeply investigated with more than 300 corrective procedures. Its success is assessed by the "reoperation rate" that occurs short after the surgery within a brief follow-up (6-12 months). However, short-term outcomes may not reflect the long-term ones, as hypospadias repair may influence adolescence a...

LHX3, a member of the LIM-homeodomain transcription factors family, regulates pituitary development in vertebrates and the maintenance of mature anterior pituitary cells. Nineteen mutations in LHX3 gene have been reported in HGMD database, in homozygous and compound heterozygous patients. The phenotype may present with pituitary dysfunction only or with syndromes involving also nervous and skeletal systems. The MRI images include aplasia or hypoplasia of pitui...

KBG syndrome (OMIM 148050) is a an emerging autosomal dominant disorder caused by heterozygous mutations in the ANKRD11 gene or deletions of 16q24.3, characterized by developmental delay, short stature, dysmorphic facial features and skeletal anomalies. Patients and methods: We report 22 patients with dysmorphic features, learning disabilities, behavior problems and macrodontia, where a clinical diagnosis of KBG was suspected. An ANKRD11 defect was confirmed in 12 patients. In...

Background: Different formulations of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) are available for the treatment of central precocious puberty (CPP). Currently there are few data on quarterly formulation depot (11.25 mg) during treatment.Aim: The purpose of this study is to analyse the effect of Triptorelin 11.25 mg 3-months depot in comparison with the monthly 3.75 mg formulation at the beginning and during the treatment of CPP.<p class="abstext...

Background: Central precocious puberty (CPP) may affect quality of life (QOL) due to premature body and psychological changes that characterize this pathology. Few data are available on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and social, emotive and behavioral competences in CPP children treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa). This study aimed to investigate these aspects in a group of CPP girls during therapy.Methods: Fifty-four CPP...

Background: Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at increased risk of developing secondary malignant neoplasms (SMN). Radiotherapy is one of the main risk factors, and secondary thyroid cancers (STC) are likely to occur among irradiated CCS.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate frequency, characteristics, and of STC in the cohort of CCS treated and in follow-up at the Istituto Giannina Gaslini.Method: Survivors treated between 1975...

Background: There is an emerging evidence that the ovary may be an important site where genes such as LIN28b, whose polymorphisms has been strongly associated to age at menarche, could modulate the timing of puberty. Recent data suggest that the endocannabinoid system plays a role in folliculogenesis and ovulation, through cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) expressed in the ovary. On the other hand childhood obesity is associated with increased likelihood of early menarche,...

Background: Apparent mineralocorticoid excess (AME) is a rare congenital autosomal recessive disorder resulting from mutations in the HSD11B2 gene, which encodes the kidney isozyme of 11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, inactivating circulating cortisol to the less-active metabolite cortisone. Less than 100 cases of AME have been reported in the literature so far. Affected individuals have elevated renal concentrations of cortisol, which can cross-react and activate...

Background: Cyclic treatment with bisphosphonates (BP) is now considered a ‘standard care’ for children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Vitamin D is a necessary nutrient for bone health for all children but especially for those with OI. In the literature few studies have considered the relationship between bone mineral density, vitamin D and pubertal stage in children treated with BP for OI.Objective and hypotheses: The purpose of this study...