ESPE Abstracts

Purpose: The anogenital distance (AGD) is androgen action dependent. It is sexually dimorphic and seems to be shorter in androgen-action related diseases like hypospadias. In this study we sought to determine whether the AGD is predictive for surgical outcome in hypospadias repair.Material and Methods: Patients were collected prospectively. AGD was measured in OR prior to surgery by 2 surgeons (blinded, each 3 times). Ou...

Background: Few studies have described the phenotypic spectrum of Septo-Optic Dysplasia (SOD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the range of H-P structural abnormalities and the endocrine morbidity of children with SOD and related disorders.Methods: Retrospective longitudinal single centre study of children with SOD (n:171), Multiple Pituitary Hormone Deficiency (MPHD) (n:53) and Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH) (n:35).<p class="ab...

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism is a common finding in Down syndrome (DS) patients and transition towards overt hypothyroidism can occur, but there are no predictor factors to identify patients that will need replacement therapy later in life.Objective and hypotheses: This is a retrospective cohort study on a population of DS paediatric patients. This study was designed to evaluate possible early predictive features of hypothyroidism development.<...

Background: Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) is an important cause of hypopituitarism, although less common than multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD). Children with optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) are at risk of hormone and neurocognitive disturbances.Objective and Hypotheses: We describe clinical and neuroradiological findings of these three overlapping conditions, aiming to understand their pathophysiology.Method: Retrospective a...

Background and objective: Children with Thickened pituitary stalk (TPS) and/or Idiopathic central diabetes insipidus (ICDI) present to different (endocrine, oncology, and ophthalmology) specialists. Their rarity, absence of agreed radiological criteria or consensus guidance, make their management problematic. Biopsy is too dangerous and cases may remain undiagnosed or evolve over decades. We aimed: i) to longitudinally characterize a large childhood cohort presenting with TPS ...

Background: GH deficiency (GHD) in adults has been consistently associated with increased adiposity and decreased lean mass. Data in childhood are still scanty and the most appropriate tools to assess body composition in these children remain to be established.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate the effects of GHD and GH replacement therapy (GHRT) on body composition in GHD children and make a comparison between DXA and anthropometric measures in evalu...

Background: Mutations in the 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17βHSD 3) result in 46,XY disorder of sex development (DSD). Biochemical hallmark of 17βHSD 3 deficiency is a Testosterone/Androstenedione ratio (T/A ratio) <0.8. 17βHSD 3 mutations have been associated with a wide spectrum of phenotypes, ranging from under-virilized male to a female appearance of genitalia at birth. Indeed, 17βHSD 3 deficiency in prepubertal patients is often clinicall...

Background: Recent studies demonstrate that children with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) may develop visceral adiposity and insulin-resistance. Data on adipocytokines are scanty and contradictory.Objective: To evaluate leptin and adiponectin concentrations in CAH adolescents and investigate their correlation with glucocorticoids and hormonal and metabolic profile.Methods: Leptin, adiponectin, insulin and HOMA were evaluated i...

Background: Birth weight (BW) is associated with the development of obesity, insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes in adulthood. The results of studies on the correlation between BW and the severity of obesity and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) among obese children are contradictory. The objective of our study was to evaluate the association between birth weight and the presence of CVRF in genetically homogeneous group of obese children and adolescents.</...

Background: Hypopituitarism in children is a complex condition and its hierarchical evolution at different developmental windows is unpredictable. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is helpful but largely a subjective assessment of anomalies of the hypothalamo-pituitary (H-P) structures. We aimed to test the utility of a quantitative measure of pituitary and stalk in predicting neuroendocrine phenotypes.Patients and Methods:</stron...