ESPE Abstracts

Gender uncertainty is stressful condition for children and their families. Gender assignment in children with disorder of sex development (DSD) is considered as a medical emergency. Influencing factors to consider when debating gender assignment include medical diagnosis, external genital appearance, potential of fertility and sexual, therapeutic and/or surgical intervention options, views and desires of patients and families, situation of social-cultural factors, the psycholo...

Background: Mutations in CHD7 cause a rare multi-organ system disorder, CHARGE syndrome (CS). Genital hypoplasia has been described in 60-80% of reported cases because of idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH), which is a result of inadequate GnRH secretion in the hypothalamus. Correspondingly, IHH and anosmia are expected in cases with CHD7 mutation. However, due to the phenotypic spectrum of CHD7, mutations have also be...

BMP4, a member of the bone morphogenetic protein family which is part of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, is involved in the embryonic development of various organ and tissues including the cranio-facial structures, olfactory placode, pituitary, eyes, heart, and kidneys. Mutations in this gene are associated with orofacial cleft and microphthalmia in human patients. BMP4 plays an important role in the embryonic development of the GnRH neurons ...

Background: GnRH neurons originate outside the CNS in the olfactory placode and migrate into the central nervous system, becoming integral components of the hypothalamic-pituitary–gonadal axis (HPG).Objective and hypotheses: We hypothesize that gene(s), whose products are important for pubertal development can be identified via autozygosity mapping together with whole exome sequencing in patients with idiopathic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (IHH)/...

Background: What initiates pubertal process in humans and other mammals has remained elusive.Objective and hypotheses: We hypothesize that gene(s), whose products trigger the GnRH pulse generator to restart ticking at the usual time of puberty, can be identified via autozygosity mapping together with whole exome sequencing in patients with idiopathic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (IHH).Method: We studied a cohort IHH cases. Functi...

Background: Gordon Holmes syndrome (GHS) is characterized by cerebellar ataxia/atrophy and normosmic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (nHH). The underlying pathophysiology of this combined neurodegeneration and nHH remains unknown.Patients and methods: We studied a cohort of multiplex families with GHS through autozygosity mapping and whole exome sequencing.Results: We identified patients from three independent families carrying loss-...

Background: Idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) is characterised by failure of initiation or maintenance of puberty due to insufficient gonadotropin release, which is not associated with anosmia/hyposmia.Objective and hypotheses: The objective of this study was to determine the distribution of causative mutations in an hereditary form of IHH.Method: In this prospective collaborative study, families with more than one aff...

Background: Diagnosis and treatment of GH deficiency(GHD) in children are different between countries, and even among centres in the same country.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate current practices in diagnosis and treatment of GHD in the process of preparing the new consensus on GHD by Turkish Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes.Method: A questionnaire was sent out to all paediatric endocrinology centres.<p cl...

Background: Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires accurate diagnosis and urgent treatment. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is the most common cause of PAI in children. Non-CAH causes of PAI are relatively rare. Although several molecular causes have been found, it is emerging that considerable overlap in the clinical and biochemical features of these conditions exists.Objective and hypotheses: We inv...

MODY (Maturity Onset Diabetes of Youth), mitochondrial diabetes, Wolfram syndrome, neonatal diabetes and the group of special syndromes seen due to gene defects that cause insulin resistance are called monogenic diabetes. MODY is an autosomal dominant form of diabetes with a relatively young onset. It constitutes 2-5% of all diabetes cases. The presence of more than one affected family member in extended families has facilitated studies of this type of diabetes. In monogenic d...