ESPE Abstracts

Background: In adults it has been shown, that GHmax values after provocation testing are negatively correlated to BMI. Preliminary studies in children have found a similar correlation. Consequently children with elevated BMI would be overdiagnosed with GHD. However, studies so far were too small to define this correlation exactly. This would be a condition to judge whether and to what extend adjustments of GH cut-off levels should be considered also in children with elevated B...

Introduction: Short stature is a common finding that affects per definition about 3% of the population. Isolated, severe short stature may be treated successfully with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH). Currently, rhGH is offered to short children with specific disorders or biochemically proven growth hormone deficiency (GHD). However, biochemical testing for GHD is artificial and therefore controversial. Adding genetic testing may improve the diagnostic...

Background: Children and adolescents with chronic conditions are at increased risk of secondary osteoporosis. In adult patients, long-term anticoagulation (LTA) including Vitamin K antagonist (VKA) treatment is associated with lower bone mineral density and hip fractures. In children and adolsescent, risk factors for impaired skeletal health and the role of LTA on bone metabolism during the vulnerable phase of linear bone growth remain poorly defined.<p cl...

Background: Children with structural hypothalamic-pituitary anomalies, e.g. ectopic posterior pituitary (EPP) with/without pituitary stalk interruption syndrome, septo-optic dysplasia (SOD), and isolated anterior pituitary aplasia/hypoplasia (AP/HP) usually have more severe GHD and better auxological outcomes with GH therapy than those with normal hypothalamic-pituitary magnetic resonance imaging findings. However, adult height data is limited.Objective:...

Background: Thyroid hormones are essential in the regulation of foetal and post-natal neurodevelopment. Despite early diagnosis and treatment of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) difficulties with language, hearing, memory and motor function persist for some children. However, comprehensive data about hearing, language and communication function in children with CH are not widely available.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate hearing, language and communic...

Background: The phases of human growth are associated with gene expression (GE) changes1, raising the possibility that rhythmic patterns of GE occur throughout childhood.Objective: In this study, we have assessed time-series patterns of GE profiles associated with age to characterise oscillations.Methods: GE analysis was conducted on cells of lymphoid origin from normal individuals through childhood (n=87, 43 ma...

Background: Robot assisted therapy has the potential to provide emotional and educational support to young patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM).Objective: To investigate the attitudes of children and young people with T1DM and that of their parents towards the concept of utilising a humanoid robot as an assistant in the management of their diabetes.Methods: A humanoid robot programmed to help self-management of T1DM at home was int...

Background: To date, one randomized, controlled, clinical trial (RCCT) demonstrated that GH-treated patients with SHOX deficiency (SHOX-D) had GH-mediated height gain comparable to that of girls with Turner syndrome (TS). No new safety concerns were identified, but the study was limited by small sample size.Objective and hypotheses: To examine long-term outcomes in patients treated in standard clinical practice, we assessed final height (FH) and safety o...

Background: Concern remains regarding the potential influence of growth hormone (GH) treatment on neoplasia because of the general growth-inducing effect of GH and associations between high serum IGF1 concentrations and certain cancers in adulthood. Many studies that evaluated risk for primary cancer in GH-treated patients without previous malignancy found no increased rates of primary neoplasia. A higher risk for colorectal cancer was observed in a single-country cohort treat...

Background: Generalized lymphatic anomaly (GLA) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by aggressive proliferation of dilated lymphatic vessels. The etiology of GLA is poorly understood.Objective and hypotheses: To identify the underlying genetic basis for GLA.Method: Exome sequencing (ES) was performed in two families, including a multigenerational family (family-1) with six affected members. RNA-seq was performed on skin bio...