ESPE Abstracts

Background and Aims: Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) are essential nutrients for the development of the fetus and are supplied by the mother through the placenta. Omega-6 arachidonic acid (AA) and both omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docoshexaenoic acid (DHA) stand out for their functional roles. Recent studies show that the concentrations of these fatty acids in maternal blood and umbilical cord are associated with adiposity in the of...

Background: In children, papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is generally sporadic and may, less frequently, be part of an undiagnosed hereditary tumor predisposition syndrome (HTPS). Somatic molecular testing is useful to understand tumor etiology and behavior, predict prognosis, and possibly guide development of novel treatment strategies. RET/PTC fusions were found to be associated with an increased risk of invasive disease. The aims of our study were to analyze...

Introduction: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is a biochemical condition characterized by serum levels of TSH above the reference range upper limit (4,5μUI/mL), with normal concentrations of thyroid hormones. In cases of non-autoimmune subclinical hypothyroidism (NASHT), genetic defects have been described and can determine disorders in the biosynthesis process of thyroid hormones, such as heterozygous mutations in the TSH receptor gene (TSHR) and ...

Background: IGF1 resistance syndrome (IGF1RS) is characterized by intrauterine and postnatal growth deficit with normal or supranormal IGF1 levels. Additional features may include intellectual deficit, microcephaly and dysmorphisms. IGF1RS may be caused by genomic or genetic defects affecting the IGF1R locus (15q26.3).Objective and hypotheses: To investigate the frequency of IGF1R mutations in a cohort of patients with pre- and/or postn...

The impact of DSD on future fertility is dependent on several factors. The key determinant of fertility potential is the status of gonadal development and function, and whether the individual has ovarian tissue with viable oocytes, or testicular tissue capable of producing functional sperm. Fertility risk will be primarily determined by the underlying diagnosis, modified by several additional factors. Whilst fertility preservation options are well established for many patient ...

Introduction: Thyroid dyshormonogenesis (TD) is a heterogeneous group of genetic diseases caused by the total or partial defect in the synthesis or secretion of thyroid hormones. It presents clinical heterogeneity, from subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) to goitre. The clearer understanding of the pathways and enzymatic activities involved in the synthesis of thyroid hormones has allowed us to identify an important number of causal genes. Defective organification...

Introduction: The thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) has a key role in the thyroid gland. It is involved in folliculogenesis, differentiation, organogenesis, and thyroid hormone synthesis and production. Its genetic defects can cause poor differentiation (thyroid dysgenesis) and/or thyroid malfunction (thyroid dyshormonogenesis, TD). Therefore, its phenotype spectrum is wide, ranging from severe congenital hypothyroidism (CH) to mild hyperthyrotropinemia. Some hetero...

Introduction: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant condition caused by a loss-of-function mutation in tumor suppressor genes TSC1/TSC2 which are involved in the inhibition of mTOR signaling implicated in cell proliferation. Major clinical features includes cardiac rhabdomyomas, renal cysts, epilepsy associated to cerebral dysplasia evidenced by cortical tubers and skin manifestation as: angiofibromas, fibrous plaques and the Shagreen patch...

Background: Severe primary insulin-growth factor-1 (IGF1) deficiency (SPIGF1D) is a rare cause of growth retardation. Diagnostic criteria include age- and sex-dependent low basal IGF1 levels (<2.5th percentile), height ≤ −3SDS, absence of growth hormone (GH) deficiency and of any secondary causes of growth failure.Objectives: Phenotypic description, follow-up and molecular studies in a cohort of patients diagnosed with growth f...

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disease among women of reproductive age with a prevalence of about 8% according to the Androgen Excess Society (AES) criteria. The pathophysiology of PCOS is not well understood and it is associated with a high prevalence of metabolic disorders. During puberty, irregular menses and acne are common, thus making the diagnosis of PCOS in adolescence challenging.Objective and hypothe...