ESPE Abstracts

Background: Very preterm neonates are at risk for metabolic syndrome later in life. Our objective was to compare anthropometric measures and insulin resistance variables between children who were born very preterm (VPT, <32 gestational weeks) and term (T, >37 gestational weeks), and adequate for gestational age (AGA).Methods: In this cross-sectional cohort study we recruited 113 children 5.0 to 8.5 years old from the preterm clinic of our institu...

Background: Leptin is considered to play an important role in the development of hypertension in obesity. The excessive synthesis of aldosterone contributes to the development and progression of metabolic and cardiovascular dysfunctions. Leptin is a newly described regulator of aldosterone synthesis that acts directly on adrenal glomerulosa cells to increase CYP11B2 expression and enhance aldosterone production in human adrenal cells lines and in animal models.<p class="ab...

Introduction: Higher evening cortisol level has been previously described in very preterm infants, possibly reflecting increased Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPA) tone or alterations in HPA regulation throughout the day. These relatively subtle differences in HPA axis function in preterm compared to full-term children may become meaningful in terms of metabolic risk later in life if sustained over time. Still, only a few studies have investigated wheth...

Background: Iodine concentrations in Chilean schoolchildren are the highest in South America. This may be related to excessive sodium intake, which is associated with hypertension. However, iodine decreases blood pressure (BP), which would be a cardiovascular protective factor.Objective and hypotheses: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of iodine on BP and cardiovascular risk factors, despite salt intake.Method:...

Background: In vitro studies suggest a broader role for aldosterone, beyond elevating blood pressure. Clinical data support the notion that aldosterone can directly alter the function of the immune system and can participate in low-grade inflammation which leads to blood pressure elevation and end organ damage.Objective and hypothesis: To assess in humans, whether aldosterone plasma levels and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) expression associate...

Background: Paediatric hypertension is increasing and has been associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Recently, cortisol:cortisone ratio and the metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), which is a marker of vascular remodelling, have been syndicated as new risk factors associated with hypertension.Objective and hypotheses: To analyse the association between paediatric hypertension with clinical, biochemical, inflammation, and vascular remodelling biomarkers<...

Background and aim: Medulloblastoma is a highly malignant childhood brain tumor, requiring treatment with high dose cranio-spinal irradiation and aggressive chemotherapy. Survivors of are at high risk for multiple endocrine deficiencies, including growth retardation and growth hormone (GH) deficiency. Previous studies reported decreased final adult height in survivors of childhood medulloblastoma, with height standard deviation score (SDS) ranging from -1.9 to...

Background: Approximately one baby in 2000-3000 is born with congenital hypothyroidism (CHT). Newborn screening of CHT is conducted in different countries by the measurement of either thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) of free thyroxine (FT4) or both. Whereas most Western countries screened CHT by using a blood spot collected on day 3 to 5 of life, some countries' programmes measure umbilical cord blood TSH or FT4 for the screening of CHT. In our maternity ...

Background: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) inhibits the in utero growth of the Müllerian structures in female fetuses. In neonates with suspected disorders of sexual development (DSDs), the presence of testicular tissues and functioning Sertoli cells can be investigated by testing for serum AMH concentration.Objective: To evaluate the performance of two new AMH assays in a hospital laboratory.Method: The technical performan...

Background: Endocrine deficiencies, including impairment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPGA), are found in the majority of survivors of medulloblastoma, due to high-dose craniospinal irradiation and gonadotoxic chemotherapy. Data regarding HPGA function in survivors of medulloblastoma is limited to small groups of patients and focusses mainly on female survivors. Furthermore, few studies investigated specific risk factors such as treatment protoc...