ESPE Abstracts

Background: We have recently reported the molecular diagnosis of two patients with severe growth failure associated with a spectrum of early-onset autoimmune disease and immunodeficiency. Heterozygous de novo mutations, c.1847_1849delAAG (p.E616del) and c.1276T>C (p.C426R), in the STAT3 gene were found. Functional in vitro studies of these variants are presented.Objective and hypotheses: We...

Abnormal DNA methylation contributes to tumor progression and is emerging as a prognostic marker in several types of cancers. To investigate whether DNA methylation is associated with pediatric adrenocortical tumor (pACT) presentation and patient prognosis, we analyzed the methylation profile of 57 tumors (MethylationEPIC BeadChip Array-Illumina) and patients’ clinicopathological features and outcome. The study comprehended 40 girls and 17 boys, with median age at diagnos...

Aim: To uncover a feasible tumor expression prognostic signature and potential therapeutic targets for children with pACT.Methods: Tumor RNAseq from 53 pACT children (70% girls, median age: 1.7yrs) was performed (Illumina). Using a robust, state-of-the-art, differential gene expression analysis pipeline, differentially expressed genes (DEGs: adjusted P<0.05 and |log2 fold-change|>1) were identified (DESeq2...

Background: OTX2 is expressed in the human brain and plays a key role in the eye development. OTX2 mutations are reported in patients with ano/microphtalmia, optic nerve or optic chiasm hypoplasia, ocular coloboma and retinal dystrophies, associated in some cases with brain or pituitary abnormalities.Objective and hypotheses: Most of OTX2 mutations are nonsense or frameshift, more rarely missense mutations occur.Method: We...

Background: French health authorities have developed a national program to organize outpatient care networks for the prevention and management of obesity in children and adolescents (Réseau de Prise en Charge de l’Obésité Pédiatrique (REPOP)). To date, REPOP Ile-de-France has more than 250 primary care physicians with dietitians, nurses, educators, and psychologists trained in the management of childhood obesity as part of a standard care pathway, work...

The easypod™ electromechanical injection in combination with the easypod Connect platform electronically records and transmits, in real time, accurate, objective records of the date, time and dose injected for patients receiving Growth Hormone (GH) for growth disorders, limiting the risk of misreporting and allowing physicians to accurately monitor patient behavior.The aim was to study individual patterns of adherence from start treatment up to 24 m...

Previous studies have shown that poor adherence to recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH; Saizen®) therapy is associated with decreased efficacy outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Easypod™ is the only electronic injection device that enables continuous monitoring of adherence to treatment. Early recognition of non-adherence is essential in the management of long-term outcomes of r-hGH therapy. This analysis aimed to evaluate adherence to r-hGH therapy adminis...

Background: Small for gestational age (SGA) children who experience rapid and exaggerated postnatal catch-up are prone to develop insulin resistance and to progress faster into puberty, resulting in a shorter final height. Short, non-catch-up SGA children treated with recombinant human GH (rhGH) may present with the same sequence. In a previous controlled study from our group performed in short SGA children, metformin – added to rhGH therapy – improved endocrine-meta...

Background: GH deficiency (GHD) occurs due to different aetiologies, morphological abnormalities in pituitary, or mutations leading the individual to lose the genetic growth potential. The pituitary dysfunction can be as GHD alone or associated with other hormones deficiencies. Patients with abnormalities in pituitary may present a greater height loss than others and couldn’t reach the target height (TH) according to final height (FH).Objectives: To...

Background: A growth prediction model would not only allow patients with growth disorders the opportunity to see the expected effect of their recombinant human growth hormone (r hGH) treatment, but also support healthcare professionals to individualise treatment to optimise growth outcomes.Aim: To develop a growth prediction model in children with growth disorders.Patients and Methods: Height and c...