ESPE Abstracts

Background: Mirror movements (MM) are frequently associated to Kallmann syndrome (KS). They are mainly observed in patients with ANOS1 (KAL1) mutations. MM have never been reported in ANOS1 mutated females. A defect in the contralateral inhibition of the pyramidal tract has been proposed as the mechanism of MM in KS but never demonstrated.Objective and hypotheses: To investigate the molecular mechanism of a familial case of gonadotropic deficiency in whi...

Background: POMC deficiency is an extremely rare monogenetic obesity syndrome generally characterized by early onset hyperphagia, red hair and adrenal insufficiency. So far treatment of obesity and hyperphagia with MSH substitution failed, either due to ineffectiveness or side effects of available MC4R agonists.Objective and hypotheses: We hypothesized that the new MC-4R agonist setmelanotide might be a treatment option in POMC deficient patients.<p ...

Background: Actual surgical procedures for the treatment of patients with VSD (Variation of Sex Development), in particular severe hypospadias, are associated with frequent post-operative complications.Objective and hypotheses: Tissue engineered collagen tubes are a promising alternative.Method: We elaborated a new, two layered, collagen based tube that can be sutured. Mechanical testing proved a better resistance of those tubes co...

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that repress target gene expression via post-transcriptional mechanisms.Objective and hypotheses: To study the expression of miRNA-25, miRNA-216, miRNA-21, miRNA-93, miRNA-377 in a sample of 100 type 1 diabetic patients with and without microalbuminuria to probe their role in development of diabetic nephropathy.Methods: Hundred type 1 diabetic patients, 50 with microalbuminur...

Background: Prediction of adult height is a standard procedure in pediatric endocrinology, but it is associated with considerable interrater variability.Objective and hypotheses: To compare the new adult height prediction (PAH) method by automated bone age determination (BoneXpert™) with the conventional PAH method by Bayley Pinneau (BP) based on bone age determination according to Greulich & Pyle. Furthermore, to assess measures of bone health ...

Background: Sclerostin is secreted by the osteocyte and inhibits bone formation by osteoblasts and is thus a negative regulator of bone formation. In adults, sclerostin levels increase after weight loss, which may be prevented by exercise training. The effect of weight loss on sclerostin in children is unknown.Objective and hypotheses: To compare sclerostin levels in children before and after a 10 weeks stay at a weight loss camp (WLC).<p class="abst...

Background: Familial PTC manifesting in childhood has been described only in single cases, mainly in the context of rare syndromes (APC-associated-syndrome, PTEN-hamartoma syndromes etc). PTC in Grave’s disease (GD) has been described in adults, but not in familial cases including young children.Objective and hypotheses: We investigated the association of large metastatic papillary carcinoma (PTC) in a 10 years old female and her mother evolving rap...

Background: Children born small for gestational age (SGA) are predisposed to metabolic abnormalities. While the therapeutic benefit of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy in improving height is widely recognised, it can affect carbohydrate metabolism, potentially inducing diabetes.Objective and hypotheses: This ongoing, prospective study aims to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of Omnitrope® (somatropin) in children ...

Background: In Nigeria, where malaria is endemic, hypertension is common. We reported that exposure to maternal malaria resulted in smaller babies with lower BP at birth, but a greater change (Δ) in BP to 12 months of age.Objective and hypotheses: To now present BP measurements out to 3 years of age.Method: Height, weight, and blood pressure (BP) were measured on 164 babies (75 males and 89 females) at birth, 12, 24, and 36 mo...

Background: Puberty is characterised by important changes of brain networks. The glutamate system plays a main role in modulating the onset of puberty as shown for NMDA receptor agonists. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Metabotropic mGlu5 receptors (mGluR5) are tightly linked to NMDA receptors. The effect of mGluR5 blockade on neurohormonal mechanisms in puberty initiation were not studied yet.Objective and hypotheses: To invest...