ESPE Abstracts

Background: The short stature homeobox-containing (SHOX) gene, located in the telomeric pseudoautosomal region 1 (PAR1) on the short arm of both sex chromosomes, is important for linear growth.Objective and hypotheses: The aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of SHOX gene deletions/point mutations in children with short stature in order to understand the role of SHOX gene in idiopathic short stature (ISS) and estimate its frequency.<p class=...

Preliminary results:Objective: Although low birthweight (bw) and unfavourable intrauterine conditions have been associated with metabolic sequelae in later life, little is known about their impact on steroid metabolism. We studied genetically identical twins with intra-twin bw-differences from birth to adolescence to analyse the long-term impact of bw on steroid metabolism.Methods:...

Introduction: Italy was the first EU country to be affected by COVID-19 outbreak. The sudden change in everyday life was challenging for children and young people (CYP) who rely heavily on peer connections for emotional and social support. Concerns for consequences in CYP with type 1 diabetes (T1D) rose.Objectives: To compare the diabetes-specific health-related quality of life (D-HRQOL) of CYP with T1D and their parents...

Background: Rare genetic diseases of obesity are often driven by gene variants in the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) pathway. The MC4R agonist setmelanotide demonstrated significant reductions in body weight in patients ≥6 years old with various rare genetic diseases of obesity, including proopiomelanocortin (POMC), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1), or leptin receptor (LEPR) deficiency and Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS). While these condit...

Stress is increasingly associated with cardiac disease. Glucocorticoids are primary stress hormones that regulate homeostasis through two nuclear receptors, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). Cardiomyocytes express both receptors but little is known concerning their specific and coordinated actions in heart physiology and pathology. To examine the in vivo function of glucocorticoid signaling in the heart, we generated mice with cardi...

Background: P450 oxidoreductase (POR) mutations can present with disordered sexual development (46,XX virilisation as well as 46,XY under-masculinisation), perturbed steroidogenesis and mild to severe skeletal malformations. As POR is an obligate electron donating cofactor to many P450s, and as this interaction may vary from partner to partner, the phenotypic spectrum of PORD is extremely broad. Therefore, to characterize novel POR mutations, specific testing is required.<...

Introduction: Quality of life (QoL) is a multidimensional indicator including several functions and represents an important evaluator of patient’s health, especially in chronic diseases. Treatment with aGnRH in Central Precocious Puberty (CPP) is source of stress for patients and families. The aim of our study is to evaluate QoL and levels of therapy-related stress in patients with CPP and in their families during and after treatment.Material and me...

Background: Disorders of androgen synthesis are rare causes of 46,XY disorder of sex development (DSD) that present with undervirilization or sex reversal.Objective: A history of a female adolescent with 46,XY DSD, initially suspected to have complete androgen insensitivity is presented.Methods: Patient history was obtained from the medical records. Urinary steroid profile was preformed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. T...

Background: Patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are at risk of developing an unfavorable cardiovascular risk (CVR) profile. Data on the CVR profile in pediatric CAH patients are scarce.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate the CVR profile of pediatric CAH patients.Method: A cross-sectional study in CAH patients (8–16 years) was performed (n=27). Blood was taken to evaluate several circulating CVR marker...

Background: Consultations for infantile hypercalcaemia have increased at Sydney Children’s Hospital since guidelines for vitamin D3 supplementation during pregnancy were introduced in 2006. Recent nationwide shortages of low-calcium formula (LCF) suggest this problem may be widespread.Aim: To determine if infantile hypercalcaemia is occurring more commonly, identify potential aetiologies and clinical significance.Me...