ESPE Abstracts

The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) pathway is critical for the regulation of hunger, energy balance, and weight regulation. Individuals who carry variants in MC4R pathway genes may present with early-onset severe obesity and hyperphagia. Historically, genetic testing in individuals with severe obesity has been limited. The Rare Obesity Advanced Diagnosis™ genetic testing program aims to enhance access to genetic testing for European individuals with suspected rare geneti...

Introduction and aims: MEST (Mesoderm-specific transcript), a candidate gene for Silver-Russell syndrome, is a paternally expressed imprinted gene that positively regulates foetal growth. MEST has also been shown to promote adipose tissue expansion in conditions of positive energy balance. In this context, our objective was to study the possible relationship between placental MEST gene expression and postnatal growth and obesity para...

Background: Hypoglycemia etiology in children is heterogeneous and varies by age. Both growth hormone (GH) and cortisol deficiencies may present with hypoglycemia; the latter may result in an adrenal crisis that may be fatal.Objectives: To evaluate responses of cortisol and GH to spontaneous hypoglycemia in infants and children, and to assess the rate of true cortisol deficiency in children, defined as cortisol<500 nm...

Introduction: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a lifelong condition associated with long term medical and psychosocial issues, which can adversely affect Quality of Life (QoL). There is paucity of high-grade evidence on health-related QoL in children and adolescents with CAH, with available studies being limited by small study samples. We conducted a systematic-review(SR) and meta-analysis(MA) to assess factors associated with health-related QoL among c...

Introduction: Telemedicine was adopted during the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the follow-up of patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Because of its potential to reinforce self-management support outside health care settings it was used still after the lockdown.Objectives: Longitudinal and observational study aimed to investigate effectiveness of telemedicine in the follow-up of young people with T1D over the ...

Introduction: HNF1B gene (OMIM*189907) encodes the transcription factor HNF1B, which is expressed early in embryogenesis, controls gene expression and is involved in multiple tissue and organ development. Mutations of HNF1B account for a complex disorder with multisystemic manifestations (Renal Cysts and Diabetes syndrome, OMIM #137920). Congenital urinary tract abnormalities and HNF1B MODY, a rare cause of diabetes mellitus (DM) (≤5% of M...

Background: The timing of puberty is influenced by different factors, one of which is body composition. The aim of the current study was to investigate if anthropometric indicators of body composition, body mass index(BMI), waist circumference(WC), subscapular skinfold(SSF) and body fat percentage(BF%) were differentially associated with occurrence of breast development, pubic hair and menarche in Norwegian girls.Methods:</strong...

Introduction: Linear growth is a complex process involving the interplay of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Current knowledge sheds importance to the GH-IGF-1 axis, chondrocyte regulation and extra-cellular matrix in the growth plate, and other fundamental intracellular processes. Despite these advancements, the genetics of short stature are not fully understood. This study aims to contribute by investigating a unique cohort of children from co...

Background: Long-term outcome studies on bilateral testicular regression (BTR) are currently lacking, hampering counseling of patients and parents. Although a vascular origin was initially reported, recent studies revealed a genetic origin in a subset of patients (i.e. DHX37 gene variants). How this relates to patient outcomes remains unclear.Methods: Thirty-five patients with BTR were recruited in eight Belgian centers ...

Introduction: Accumulating evidence indicates various but significant effects of human milk IGF1 (HMIGF1) on infantile and childhood linear growth and weight gain. Studies on maternal factors affecting the level of HMIGF1 need to be clarified.Objectives and Methods: We performed electronic literature systematic review using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Sciences with the aim to provide an update on maternal factors ...