ESPE Abstracts

Background: The ‘External Masculinization Score’ (EMS) is an objective method of scoring undervirilized genitalia in infants but may require further adaptation to capture the appearance of the genitalia more comprehensively across the phenotypic spectrum.Objective: To develop and validate a non-binary, standardized score that describes the range of appearance of external genitalia.Method: The external genitalia score (EGS...

Background: The majority of children diagnosed with idiopathic isolated growth hormone deficiency (IIGHD) show a normal growth hormone (GH) secretion (assessed by GH stimulation tests) when retested at near adult height (NAH). It appears plausible that if normal stimulated GH secretion is observed in mid-puberty, continuing recombinant human GH (rhGH) treatment may only have a minor effect on NAH. The effect on NAH has never been investigated in a prospective ...

Introduction: Gonadotoxicity associated with chemotherapy of hematologic malignancies has been described mainly in adults, focused on the sensitivity of germ cells. Little attention has been placed on Sertoli cells during childhood and puberty, even though Sertoli cell development is essential for adult spermatogenesis.Objective: To assess function of the pituitary-testicular axis, with emphasis on Sertoli cell function,...

Background: The aetiology of congenital hypopituitarism (CH) is unknown in the majority of patients. In our cohort of 200 cases, it was possible to establish the genetic cause in only 13 patients (6.5%). Copy number variants (CNVs) have been implicated as the cause of genetic syndromes with previously unknown aetiology.Objective: To study the presence of CNVs and its relevance in patients with CH of unknown cause associated with complex phenotypes.<p...

Objectives: The etiopathogenetic of childhood obesity is related to genetic and environmental factors: not only caloric intake or physical activity have an important influence, but also circadian rhythms, including healthy sleep.The objectives of this study were: a) to analyze the different patterns and duration of sleep, eating habits, meal schedules, time dedicated to exercise and screens of obesity children; b) to evaluate its possibl...

Objective: KIMS (Pfizer International Metabolic Survey) was a postmarketing surveillance study of growth hormone (GH) replacement in adults and adolescents with GH deficiency (GHD) that concluded in October 2012. This analysis aimed to evaluate the overall safety outcomes from the full cohort of GH-treated patients of KIMS.Methods: Data were collected on adults and adolescents with confirmed GHD and closed epiphyses trea...

Background: Steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) is the most common form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Patients present with cortisol and aldosterone deficiency as well as with hyperandrogenism, leading to virilisation in females and early adrenarche in both sexes. Requiring life-long glucocorticoid (GC) replacement, patients frequently experience daily fluctuations between GC overexposure and deficiency. Increased prevalence of metabolic disease con...

We report on a 17-year-old female patient with cramps in hands and legs since 6 months. She showed hypokalemia with high need of potassium substitution (128mmol K= 1.3 mmol/kg/d), arterial hypertension (mean 154.5/92 mmHg), polydipsia and polyuria without nocturia or salt craving. Her PMH revealed neuroblastoma stage III with high-dose chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation and obesity (36.8 kg/m2). Further investigation showed aldosterone 77.5 ng/dl (norm values: 2-10ng/dl),...

Introduction: Physical examination remains the cornerstone of medical practice. However, its importance has been underestimated during COVID-19 pandemic because of concerns related to exposure risk and use of personal protective equipment. Solitary median maxillary central incisor (SMMCI) may be an isolated clinical trait or associated with other anomalies and endocrine pathologies including hypopituitarism, hypothyroidism, isolated growth hormone (GH) deficie...

The zebrafish is established as an important model system for studying development and disease, and characterisation of the developmental and functional roles of steroids is crucial for its effective employment in this remit. Whilst oestrogens are known to be essential for female development in zebrafish, the roles of androgens in the development, maintenance and function of the male reproductive system remain unclear.In order to investigate these proces...