ESPE Abstracts

Background: Recent interest has focused on a unique subgroup of overweight and obese individuals who have normal metabolic features (MHO) despite increased BMI. According to the WHO obesity is considered a disease itself. In the light of the WHO statement it is most strange to speak about healthy and unhealthy obesity. Nevertheless, we all know that a certain portion of obese persons are free from some (most frequently investigated) obesity-related metabolic consequences.<...

Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1, NR5A1) is a key regulator of adrenal and gonad development, and controls transcription of many genes in these endocrine axes. A role for SF-1/NR5A1 in human endocrine conditions was first established 15 years ago when rare individuals with adrenal hypoplasia and 46,XY DSD (testicular dysgenesis, Müllerian structures) were reported. Although it was felt that adrenal failure would be a key feature of SF-1 disruption, in the pa...

Background: Obese children are often taller than non-obese ones before puberty. Reports on the GH/IGF system in obese children are not consistent and do not explain the increased height observed. Changes in IGF1 bioavailability/bioactivity have been claimed as a possible explanation, however, no data is available regarding the expression of the IGF type 1 receptor (IGF1R) gene.Objective and hypotheses: To study the expression of IGF1R gene in obese child...

Background: Early-onset severe obesity due to leptin deficiency typically results from a defect of leptin production or secretion due to mutations in the leptin gene. Recently we described a new form of leptin deficiency caused by bioinactivity of the hormone and associated with high circulating leptin levels (New England Journal of Medicine 2015 372 48–54).Method: Serum leptin was measured by ELISA. The leptin gene was seq...

Background: Craniosynostosis, defined as the premature fusion of the cranial sutures, presents many challenges in aetiology. One known form associated to steroid biosynthesis impairment is the Antley-Bixler Syndrome (ABS). ABS-phenotype and normal steroidogenesis have FGFR mutations, whereas those with ambiguous genitalia and altered steroidogenes should be recognized as possibly having P450 oxidoreductase deficiency, with mild do moderate 17 OH progesterone (17HOP) elevation ...

Background: Mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MGD) is the second most frequent cause of XY disorders of sex development (DSD). Genotype is either X/XY or XY, while the phenotype ranges from partial to complete gonadal dysgenesis, and from female to male external genitalia. Müllerian remnants are present in these patients because of insufficient or untimely foetal secretion of Müllerian inhibiting factor (MIF).Aim: To assess the therapeutic policy of ph...

Background: Studies examining vitamin D levels in association with childhood obesity usually do not concurrently measure levels of vitamin D-binding protein and do not calculate the unbound, bioavailable vitamin D, that is considered the fraction of 25-hydroxyvitamin D able to exert biological activity.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate in a group of children for the most part obese i) the concentrations of both total 25-hydroxyvitamin D and of the bi...

Background: Obesity is a worldwide epidemic affecting adults and children. Social changes throughout history have contributed to modifications in nutrition and physical activity levels. These changes in lifestyle affected health, increasing the number of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Obese children already have a low grade systemic inflammation as well as markers of increased cardiovascular risk. The endothelial function is an important and early marker of atheroscler...

Keywords: Bariatric surgery, Pregnancy, Maternal obesity, Small for gestational age, fetal growth, Nutritional deficiencies.Background: Maternal obesity is known to have many detrimental effects on pregnancy. Bariatric surgery represents the most efficient therapy for severe obesity. Although it is known to positively impact many pregnancy outcomes, bariatric surgery can disturb fetal growth due to nutritional deficienci...

Background: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a disorder, leading to hyperandrogenaemia in the period of organogenesis of external genitalia, resulting in the disorders of sex development(DSD) in 46XX patients where external and internal genitalia do not correspond to each other. The aim of current work is to show the barriers and challenges in a 46XX patient in choosing the sex for up-bringing the child.Case presentation:<...