ESPE Abstracts

Objective and hypotheses: A retrospective review of bone morbidity in a contemporary cohort of boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) managed in a Scottish tertiary neuromuscular centre.Method: Clinical details and results of bone surveillance were obtained in 47 boys, aged 9 years (2–16). DXA bone mineral content (BMC) at total body (TB) and lumbar spine (LS) were adjusted for bone area. Fractures were classified based on radiological confirma...

Background: C-peptide secretion is the most accurate measurement of residual β-cell function in type 1 diabetes (T1D) and even residual levels seem to positively correlate with a lower probability of complications.Objective and hypotheses: Identify key determinants to the evolution of the β pancreatic cell function, measured by fasting C-peptide (FCP).Method: Prospective study of patients diagnosed with T1D, with evaluati...

Background: Severe obesity (SO), defined as BMI ≥95th percentile, has increased worldwide among adolescents. American studies estimated that 1.3–2.8% of 12–19-year-old individuals have a BMI >40 kg/m2 or a BMI >35 kg/m2 with at least one serious co-morbidity. The immediate and long-term risks associated with SO in adolescents include cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, obstructive sleep apnoea, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disea...

Background: The correlation between obesity and depression is well established. Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid that acts as substrate for serotonin and melatonin biosynthesis, both know to play a role in satiety, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, low plasma Trp levels have been associated with obesity.Objective: To investigate the effects of Trp supplementation as a conjunctive therapy to conventional life-style intervention on weight lo...

Background: Acute painful neuropathy (APN) is a rare manifestation of diabetic neuropathy (DN) in T1D adolescents, associated with poor metabolic control. Eating disorders (ED) often present in T1D patients in association with metabolic derangement, leading to the development of diabetic complications.Case presentation: A teenage girl aged 12 years with a recently diagnosed T1D (duration: 9 months) was admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis...

Objective: To present the novel finding of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, pubertal progress and molecular alterations in two sisters with variable phenotype.Case Presentation: Two Greek sisters were investigated. The eldest was referred for investigation of short stature, at the age of 9 and 5/12 years. There was no positive family history for short stature. Physical examination revealed no dysmorphic features, and she was prepubertal according to Tanne...

Hypothyroid patients post-thyroidectomy require 1.6-1.8 mg/kg/die of Levothyroxine (L-T4). A persistent TSH level above the upper limit despite a daily dose >1.9 mg/kg/die is defined as “refractory” hypothyroidism in adults. Malabsorption and “pseudo-malabsorption” need to be investigated in case of therapeutic failure. L-T4 absorption test (LT4AT) is useful in distinguishing these two conditions but it has only been described in adult age. We ...

Background: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is an inborn disease with an incidence rate of 1 case per 3,600 newborns of which 15-20% cases are associated with thyroid dyshormonogenesis. The TPO gene encodes thyroid peroxidase. Disease associated with this gene is usually transmitted in an autosomal recessive mode. Hypothyroidism-associated TPO variants are usually biallelic, limited evidence for cases in patients with heterozygous variants exists.Method...

Introduction: Failure to thrive (FTT) is a common entity encountered by pediatricians. It can be caused by inadequate energy intake or “organic causes” such as inborn errors of metabolism or disorders of the endocrine system. One cause that is rarely seen is a deficiency of aldosterone.Case presentation: A set of 3-month-old monozygotic male twins presented with failure to thrive and dehydration. Initially, they were evaluated ...

Introduction: The pathogenetic process in type 1 diabetes mellitus includes a complex mechanism between genetic and immunological factors. Chronic autoimmune reaction relies upon the detection on autoantibodies in the patient’s serum long before initiation of the disease. Autoimmune markers include mainly 4 types of antibodies - GAD65, IAA, ICA and IA-2, some present in children less than 10 years (IAA, ZnT8), and some later in life (GAD, IA-2).The presen...