ESPE Abstracts

Background: Mutations in the gene encoding the natriuretic peptide receptor-2 gene (NPR2) are responsible for monogenic growth disorders. Loss-of-function variants cause extreme short stature and skeletal dysplasia. Gain-of-function mutations cause tall stature with - in some cases - macrodactyly of the great toes, a Marfanoid habitus, arachnodactyly and scoliosis. We describe a novel gain-of-function mutation in exon 8 of NPR2 in a family wi...

Background: Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is caused by deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Patients with CDI are at risk for fluid balance disturbances, especially when there is impaired thirst perception or inability to access water freely. Serum sodium measurement gives a good reflection of the actual fluid balance but is generally not available in the home situation. For patients in which CDI is difficult to manage sodium measurement at home may be a good instrumen...

Background: Pancreatic epithelial cells represent an attractive cell source for replacement therapy of type 1 diabetes. Previously, we designed a protocol for expansion of human pancreatic duct-derived cells (HDDCs) and showed their β-cell engineering potential.Objective and hypotheses: In this study, we reprogrammed HDDCs into β-cell-like lineage by over-expressing mRNAs of key pancreatic transcription factors (TFs).Meth...

Background: Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is a rare group of congenital adrenal diseases with an estimated prevalence of about ten newly diagnosed patients in the Netherlands per year. Morbidity and mortality improved significantly in the last 20 years mainly due to improvement of multidisciplinary care and education of patients and parents. In the last years the role of the nurse practitioner (NP) as case manager in the care and follow up of patients with chronic disea...

Background: Solidarity-based healthcare systems face significant challenges due to the rising costs of new and highly expensive medicines for cancer and rare diseases. The Dutch government introduced the Coverage Lock (CL) policy in 2015 to restrict access to reimbursement for such drugs. The CL has raised controversy around its ethical acceptability. Some claim the CL is necessary to secure solidarity while others have pointed out that its leads to unfair ine...

Background: Germline mutations in SDHB gene are associated with the familial paraganglioma (PGL) syndrome that carries the highest malignant potential. Although penetrance is lower than initially described, lack of effective treatments for metastatic PGLs makes screening essential for early tumour detection, surgical removal and improved outcome. However, no consensus exists in relation to timing and mode of screening.Objective: To assess publis...

Purpose: Transgender adolescents are treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (GnRHa), followed by the addition of gender-affirming hormones. Since during puberty the body reaches maturation, concerns have been risen that the treatment may have negative outcome later in life. The aim of this study is to determine whether treatment with GnRHa and subsequent addition of hormones results in a more atherogenic profile than peers at the age of 22.<p class="abstext"...

Background: Wolfram syndrome features diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, optic nerve atrophy, and deafness (DIDMOAD). Especially the neurological degeneration usually leads to a very poor prognosis. We present two cases of Wolfram syndrome, an autosomal dominant and an autosomal recessive type, caused by heterozygous mutations in the WFS1 gene.Case report: Case 1: a 13-year-old girl with a history of progressive sensorineuronal hearing loss ...

Background: Pseudohypoparathyroidism represents a group of clinical and molecular heterogeneous disorders, characterized by functional hypoparathyroidism, caused by end-organ resistance to the action of PTH. Pseudohypoparathyroidism manifests as hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia and elevated plasma levels of PTH. A combination of features, also known as Albright osteodystrophy including disproportionate short stature, obesity, dysmorphia, may co-exist.Case...

Background: Testicular Adrenal Rest Tumours (TARTs) are benign tumours that frequently occur in male patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. They exhibit both testicular and adrenal characteristics, but their aetiology is unknown. Additionally, TART resembles Leydig cell tumours (LCTs), while no marker exist to discriminate between these testis tumours. GATA transcription factors play an important role in eukaryotic development and are expressed in foetal and adult adren...