ESPE Abstracts

New developments in massive sequencing techniques allow now the generation of an unprecedented amount of genomic data, including the generation of complete ancient genomes. Among those, the Neandertal and Denisovan genomes, dated between 40 000 and 50 000 years ago, are shedding new light on evolutionary processes such as the genetic basis of archaic hominins and modern humans specific adaptations -including morphological, metabolical and behavioural traits- as well as the ext...

Background: The etiological investigation of central precocious puberty (CPP) has improved with more precise clinical approach, neuroimaging, and genetic studies. CPP can be caused by congenital or acquired conditions, with or without central nervous system (CNS) lesions. More recently, genetic and epigenetic disorders have been identified in children with CPP, previously classified as idiopathic.Objective: To update the...

This presentation provides an overview of genetics relevant to pediatric endocrine nursing practice. A brief genetic primer for nurses will be given followed by discussion of patient and clinician barriers to genetic literacy. Genetic competencies for nursing practice will be reviewed and application will be demonstrated through several pediatric endocrinecase presentations. At completion, participants will be able to incorporate concepts of genetic literacy and apply genetic ...

Background: Pediatric thyroid cancer has characteristics that are distinct from adulthood thyroid cancer. Due to its very low prevalence, little is known about the genetic characteristics of pediatric follicular thyroid cancer (FTC).Methods: We investigated genetic alterations in tumor tissues from 15 patients aged < 20 years (median: 14.3 years; range: 2.4-19.0 years) using multifaceted approaches. Whole-exome seque...

Introduction: Recently novel approaches, through implementation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in clinical practice for genetic evaluation of idiopathic short stature, has permitted to identify new variants of genes which modulate function of growth plate, including heterozygous mutations of the aggrecan gene. Aggrecan, a large chondroitin sulfated proteoglycan, is a major structural component of the extracellular matrix of cartilage, including growth pla...

Background: Fanconi Bickel syndrome (FBS) is a rare form of glycogen storage disease (GSD) inherited in an autosomal recessive manner and caused by mutations in the SLC2A2 gene leading to the loss of GLUT2 glucose transporter expression. The disease is considered to be rare in which a little more than 100 cases have been reported in the literature. The SLC2A2 gene encodes for GLUT2, a low affinity facilitative glucose transporter expressed in critical tissues ...

Background: Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a common autosomal dominant disorder of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) metabolism characterised by elevated levels of plasma LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), accelerated atherosclerosis and premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). In the Gulf Co-operation Council states, CVD is often diagnosed at a younger age and is the leading cause of mortality. As such, early genetic diagnosis and treatment of FH is important for ri...

Background: Early genetic diagnosis in patients with disorders of sex development (DSDs) can facilitate clinical management, predict recurrence risks, and augment general knowledge. Novel techniques such as SNP microarrays, GWAS, and exome sequencing have identified mutations in the coding regions of genes linked to DSDs. In some instances, variants in non-coding regions have been associated with 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis, e.g. deletions upstream of SOX9 (PLoS One 2011...

Background: The most frequent cause of familial growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is Type II autosomal dominant GHD (isolated GHD type II) due to several heterozygous GH1 mutations.Method: Genomic DNA from patients with familial GHD was enriched for the coding exons using hybrid capture technology and GH1 was sequenced using Next Generation Sequencing technology. Plasmids containing genes for WT and A34T GH1 were transfected into NCI HEK2...

Introduction: Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF1), encoded by the NR5A1 gene, regulates several genes involved in male sexual determination, such as SOX9 and AMH, cholesterol mobilization and synthesis of a number of steroidogenic enzymes, like 3βHSD, and androgen biosynthesis, like INSL3. Mutations in NR5A1 have been associated to a broad phenotypic spectrum in 46, XY subjects, including pure gonadal dysgenesis, infertility, anorchia...