ESPE Abstracts

Background: The increasing incidence of obesity is a global public health challenge. Although energy imbalance is the major cause of obesity, evidence suggests that other risk factors such as exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may contribute to the development of obesity. Early life exposure to obesogens may result in a higher risk of developing obesity. Among the chemicals suspected to have obesogenic effects, bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates are under worldwid...

Background: Over the past several decades, the age of pubertal onset in girls has shifted downward worldwide. Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during critical windows of development may play a role in this trend. Epidemiological and animal studies showed that exposure to phthalates and BPA could be associated with earlier puberty onset in girls.Objective: To investigate the association between the exposure to BPA, DEHP’s metabolites...

Background: ROHHADNET syndrome affects children with normal development until 2–4 years of age.Objective and hypotheses: Aim of this study was to evaluate a possible role of autoimmunity in this disorder. In spite of a suspicion for genetic etiology, disease-associated genetic variations have not been identified. A paraneoplastic/autoimmune etiology has been suggested mainly because of the association with neural crest tumors....

Background: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used as flame retardants and have shown endocrine disruption properties in experimental studies. Preliminary studies in animal models have suggested a link between exposure to PBDE and alterations of puberty and reproduction.Objective and hypotheses: To investigate the association between the exposure to PBDEs and alterations of puberty in girls, referred for idiopathic premature thelarche (IP...

Introduction: The Insulin Autoimmune Syndrome (IAS or Hirata Disease) is rare among children. Non-ketotic hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycemia and the presence of insulin auto-antibody (IAA) are the conditions to diagnose the syndrome. The occurrence of hypoglycemia is due to the binding of the antibody to the insulin molecule at the immediate postprandial, followed by this binomial dissociation, which releases free insulin on serum and triggers symptomatic hypoglycaemia.<p clas...

Protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7), a member of a family of enzymes that catalyse the transfer of methyl groups from S-adenosyl-L-methionine to nitrogen atoms on arginine residues, is involved in multiple biological processes, such as signal transduction, mRNA splicing, transcriptional control, DNA repair, and protein translocation. Currently, 12 patients with homozygous/compound heterozygous mutations in PRMT7 gene have been described defining the ...

Introduction: X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare hereditary condition caused by mutation in the gene encoding the phosphate-regulating endopeptidase homolog, X-linked (PHEX). It is characterized by altered phosphate homeostasis with persistent hypophosphatemia and hyperphosphaturia resulting in deficient skeletal mineralization, rickets, bone deformity, growth failure, dental problems, joint pain and impairment.Case Prese...

Background: The course of type one diabetic disease (T1DM) varies according to the period of life and in response to various external or internal factors. Adolescence is an evolutionary phase that involves important developmental changes and identity construction. Diabetes disease and its management, especially in this life period, can lead to psychological distress and impact on Self-redefinition.Method: We conducted a ...

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant increase in Central Precocious Puberty(CPP) has been observed worldwide. The reasons for this phenomenon are yet unclear. In order to evaluate if fear, stress and coping strategies used by children and parents when dealing with negative emotional situations and health issues might have acted as triggers for this phenomenon, we administered specific questionnaires to girls who had a diagnosis of CPP before and after the COVID-19 relat...

Introduction: Growth hormone (GH) is essential for stimulating growth and cell proliferation through its effects on metabolism, cartilage and bone growth. We have conducted initial studies to find new biomarkers for GH deficiency and early treatment response, focusing on miRNAs expressed in both sexes. We aimed at investigating sex-specific differences in circulating miRNAs at baseline and after 3 months on GH treatment in a cohort of prepubertal children with...