ESPE Abstracts

Genomic imprinting in mammals is controlled by DNA methylation. This essential epigenetic phenomenon mediates the mono-allelic expression of about hundred autosomal protein-coding genes and hundreds of regulatory non-coding RNAs, such that these become expressed from one of the two parental alleles only. Although the first imprinted genes were discovered less than thirty years ago, given their key roles in fetal development, homeostasis and brain functions, these exceptional g...

Background: The increase of global childhood obesity has led to an increase of associated co-morbidities also at a young age. The pro-inflammatory state and insulin resistance are two master regulators of several complications, including hypertension and pre-diabetes frequently connected in a complex crosstalk.Aim: To evaluate the relationship between glucose alterations and blood pressure and the pathogenetic involvemen...

Introduction: The human adrenal gland originates from the adrenogonadal primordium at around 4 weeks post conception (wpc) and undergoes marked developmental changes throughout the first half of pregnancy. Several key aspects of adrenal maturation are well-established, such as the formation of a large inner fetal zone (FZ) and synthesis of dehydroepiandrosterone, but many other processes contributing to adrenal gland development and function in humans are stil...

Background: Congenital Hyperinsulinism International (CHI) is an international non-profit organization focused on improving the lives of patients and families living with hyperinsulinism (HI). Despite many advances in the care of patients with HI, long term neurologic outcomes have not significantly improved, highlighting the need for CHI’s goals for robust and rapidly translatable research. We describe the development of a collaborative research network...

Background: The gastrointestinal (GI) tract plays a central role in maintaining energy balance and body weight regulation. These functions are mediated by the secretion of gut hormones, including ghrelin, cholecystokinin (CCK), peptide YY(PYY), oxyntomodulin (OXM) and many other hormones. Some of them are orexigenic hormones that promote food intake, while others act as satiety signals and enhance insulin secretion from the pancreatic beta cells. Current evide...

Background: Paediatric pituitary adenomas comprise rare but challenging pathologies in children and adolescents related to their endocrine and neurological characteristics.Objective and Hypotheses: We aimed to describe a case report of growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary adenoma apoplexy.Method: a 11-year-old girl presented with fever, sudden headache with vomiting. She abruptl...

Backround: Craniopharingiomas are rare embryogenic malformations of the sellar and parasellar region with slow growth and high local recurrence rate. Due to their unfavorauble location, presurgical hypothalamic involvement and treatment-related hypothalamic damage is frequent and lead to hypothalamic syndrome.Objective: we compare weigh gain and growth pattern regarding to hypothalamic involvement of pediatric patients a...

Background: Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome (BWS) is an overgrowth disorder involving a predisposition to tumor development, etiologically connected with genetic/epigenetic dysregulation. The main features of BWS include omphalocele, macroglossia and macrosomia; however there is significant clinical heterogeneity. SHOX mutation is a frequent cause of short stature with high penetrance, but extremely variable clinical expression. The mean adult height is -2.2 SDS. The presence of m...

Background: AAAS is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by adrenal insufficiency, alacrimia, achalasia and neurological symptoms. The disease-causing AAAS gene encodes for the ALADIN nuclear pore protein.Case presentation: Case 1: A girl (born to unrelated parents) presented at age 3.9 years with fatigue and hyperpigmented skin. Clinical examination was normal, clumsy gait was noted. Endocrine studies confirmed adrenal insufficiency (F=9 mg/ml,...

Background: systematic data about endocrinopathies in Rett syndrome (RTT) patients are still scarce and not univocal.Objective: to assess the prevalence of endocrinopathies in a pediatric population of RTT patients.Design: retrospective observational single center study.Methods: 29 caucasian patients (28 girls,1 boy) with genetically confirme...