ESPE Abstracts

Background: The initiation of puberty is dependent upon an augmentation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion from the hypothalamus. Development of the GnRH neuroendocrine network in embryonic life depends on coordinated migration of neurons from the vomeronasal organ in the nose to the forebrain. We have previously demonstrated that dysregulation in GnRH neuronal migration leads to delayed pubertal onset. Late puberty affects up to 2% of the ...

Background: The first three children reported to have biallelic mutations in RNPC3 presented with growth hormone (GH) deficiency and pituitary hypoplasia (MIM#618860). RNPC3 codes for a minor spliceosome protein required for U11/U12 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein formation and splicing of U12-type introns. The underlying mechanism causing GH deficiency in these patients is not fully understood. Moreover, whether the association of further ho...

Objective: Recent studies have suggested earlier onset of pubertal development in boys. As assessment with orchidometer tends to overestimate true testicular volume (TV), and measurements based on ultrasound (US) have been proposed as a more reliable method, we present US based references in 6-16 year-old Norwegian boys. Our results are compared with data from Europe and the United States (U.S.) in order to establish evidence for an ongoing secular trend in ma...

Introduction: Recombinant Growth Hormone (GH) has changed the lives of many patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). GH treatment has beneficial effects on body composition, physical performance, cognition, psychomotor development, respiratory function and quality of life of patients with PWS. Due to the narrow therapeutic range, GH treatment is subject to strict limits. Clinicians measure serum immunoreactive Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 ('total IGF-I&#...

Introduction: Heterozygous inactivating mutations of the CaSR gene (CaSR) generally result in mild, asymptomatic hypercalcemia in the familial hypocalcuric hypercalcemia syndrome. Homozygous inactivating CaSR mutations end up with neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism. Calcimimetics are drugs that interact with the transmembrane part of CaSR and make the receptor more sensitive to calcium. Cinacalcet, a type II calcimimetic, suppresses PTH levels and increases r...

Introduction: Thyroid dysfunction may cause a wide range of neurological disorders in children. Hypothyroidism is associated with peripheral nerve demyelination. However, minimal data are available in pediatric population.Purpose: To describe a case of newly diagnosed Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) suffering acute-onset rapidly progressive peripheral polyneuropathy.Case Report: A 12-ye...

Background: The Low dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST) is an important investigation for suspected Cushing’s Syndrome (CS). The traditional definition of normal suppression of serum cortisol to ≤50 nmol/l during the LDDST (0.5 mg 6 hrly × 48 h) comes from a time when biochemical autoanalysers did not routinely detect very low values. Previous studies reported 5.1–8.3% of patients with Cushing’s Disease (CD) suppressed to <50 nmol/l at 48 ...

Introduction: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) as an inflammatory state combined with the disruption of the normal coagulation cascade can lead patients to an increased risk of thrombosis. Especially, patients that are genetically susceptible to thrombosis could develop deep venous thrombosis (DVT) due to inflammation, dehydration, and hyperviscosity secondarily to DKA. It is noteworthy that children with DKA who underwent central venous catheter placement could develop DVT, especi...

Introduction: Neuropathy, as a complication of type 1 diabetes (T1D), is a heterogeneous group with chronic polyneuropathy being the most frequent form. Acute mononeuropathy is rare and its pathophysiology has not been elucidated.Purpose: To describe acute mononeuropathy during the course of severe ketoacidosis in an 8-year-old girl diagnosed with T1D.Case report: An 8-year old girl was admitted to the Emergency Department because ...

Introduction: HLA-G gene is involved in the control of immune response. It plays a primary role on immune tolerance and may participate in controlling autoimmune responses serving as a potential independent susceptibility marker. HLA-G has been isolated in some secretory granules and on the cell surface of primary islet cells induced to secrete insulin. Subsequently, it could be hypothesized that HLA-G methylation at pancreatic islet could sustain T cell activation and onset o...