ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Adrenarche is characterized by the activation of androgen precursors which are released from the zona reticularis of the adrenal gland. Dehydroepiandosterone (DHEA) is a weak androgen and its conversion to slightly more potent androgens such as Dehydroepiandosterone- sulfate (DHEA-S) is thought to be responsible for the clinical signs of adrenarche. Premature adrenarche is one of the most common endocrine abnormalities causing concern among perip...

Introduction: Generation of neutralizing antibodies (Nab) is a complication in enzyme replacement therapies and can lead to loss of treatment efficacy. Asfotase alfa (AA) was recently approved as the first replacement therapy in severe hypophosphatasia (congenital deficiency of alkaline phosphatase [TNSALP]). We report a case of neutralizing antibody mediated loss of efficacy of AA treatment in hypophosphatasia and the successful result of immune tolerance ind...

Background: Dietary carbohydrate restriction in the treatment of obese adolescents could cause a substantial shift in the substrates used as an energy source, inducing changes on body composition and metabolism, but experience in this age range is limited.Objective: We assessed the influence of 6 months of dietary carbohydrate restriction on body composition and lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in obese adolescents.Method: Thirty-...

Background: Impaired glucose tolerance ((IGT), glucose ≥140mg/dl at 120’ in the oral-glucose-tolerance-test (OGTT)) is prevalent in childhood obesity. It is frequently reversed after weight loss, although an eventual role for metformin treatment has been postulated.Objective: To evaluate the benefits of metformin addition to conservative treatment on weight loss and IGT in obese children.Patients and methods: We studied ...

Background: Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion, although symptoms in heterozygous carriers are described. Age at symptom onset determines six clinical forms with different severity and prognosis, but showing phenotypic overlapping.Objective: We aimed to show this genetic and clinical variability by analyzing two cases.Case 1: Male, born at 38+5 weeks with 2250 g (−2.22 SDS) and 45 cm (&#8722...

Background: Osteogenesis imperfecta is a rare collagen related hereditary disease leading to recurrent fractures, reduced mobility, muscular weakness and short stature.Objective and hypotheses: It was always discussed if the reduced height is a consequence of the impaired collagen production, a reaction of the body to the brittleness of bones or if the patient might suffer from an additional deficiency of growth hormone (GH).Method...

Background: Rare metabolic bone diseases (RMBD) are at the crossways of Endocrinology, Nephrology, Orthopaedic surgery and Rheumatology. Most of RMBD lead to short stature, bone pain, tooth anomalies, leg deformities, bone fragility and disability of variable importance. The organization of care varies immensely amongst European countries. Several European networks dedicated to RMBD already exist, supported by societies such as ESPE, ECTS or research grants, albeit their focus...

Introduction: Craniopharyngiomas (CP) are rare pediatric intracranial tumors (1.2-4%) with a peak of incidence between 5-14 years . We retrospectively reviewed data of 16 cases (M/F 4/12) diagnosed before 4 years of age (median follow up 7.2 years) from a cohort of 117 patients (pts) (M/F 56/41) diagnosed after 01/01/2000, followed-up in 14 Italian centres of pediatric endocrinology belonging to the Italian Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetolo...

Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) and bone alterations, probably due to lack of insulin and chronic hyperglycemia. Sclerostin and Dickkopfs-1 (DKK-1) are Wnt signaling inhibitors involved in bone remodelling.Objective and hypotheses: To assess serum levels of DKK-1 and sclerostin in T1DM children and adolescents on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) or multiple daily therapy (MDI). We hypoth...

Background: Many studies have shown that GH therapy can increase final height in children born SGA. Adult height and growth velocity can be improved in these subjects even if there is not a deficiency of endogenous GH (GHD).Objective and hypotheses: We aimed to analyze growth response after 1 year of GH treatment in children born SGA without GH deficiency.Method: Ten patients (six M, four F) born SGA (according to Gagliardi et ...