ESPE Abstracts

Background: ROHHAD syndrome (rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysfunction, central hypoventilation, autonomic dysregulation) – also defined as ROHHADNET when associated with neural tumors - is a rare condition with a high mortality rate. The aim of this study is to describe the phenotypes of a multicentric cohort of ROHHAD patients.Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 22 patient...

Background: Genetic variants are identified in a small proportion (~10%) of patients with Congenital Hypopituitarism (CH), with variable associated phenotypes. We aimed to phenotypically characterise a large cohort of patients with genetically proven CH.Patients and methods: 1684 CH patients were screened (Sanger or whole exome sequencing) over a 20-year period (1998-2018) for mutations in genes regulating pitui...

Aim: To identify the distinctive features of GH Deficiency (GHD) and to assess the response to GH treatment (rhGH) in children with Septo-Optic-dysplasia (SOD) and Multiple Pituitary Hormone Deficiencies (MPHD).Methods: Retrospective longitudinal single centre study of children with SOD (n:171) and MPHD (n:53). GHD was diagnosed in patients with growth failure by an insufficient GH response (≤6.7 μg/l) to provocation (Insulin Induced Hypoglyca...

Background: Children with septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) and related disorders can present with either hypogonadotropic hypogonadism or precocious puberty. This phenotypic variability remains unexplained.Objective and hypotheses: To compare pubertal characteristics of SOD with isolated congenital hypopituitarism (CPHD) and optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH).Method: Retrospective longitudinal data collection from 259 patients with: SOD (...

Introduction: Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) is characterized by a combination of midline forebrain, pituitary and eye abnormalities. We aimed to evaluate endocrine features of patients with SOD, and multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies (MPHD).Design: Retrospective data were collected from 130 patients: 102 SOD and 28 MPHD followed at a single tertiary centre. SOD were divided into two groups: with pituitary hormone deficiencies (SOD+, n=83) and...

Background: A mutation in EIF2S3 (NM_001415; Xp22.11) was previously associated with microcephaly and developmental delay in a single pedigree. EIF2S3 encodes the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit 3 (eIF2γ), the largest of three EIF2 subunits. EIF2 initiates protein synthesis by forming a ternary complex with GTP and initiator methionyl-tRNA which then binds to the 40S ribosomal subunit, enabling scanning of mRNA from the 5′ end to...

Background: Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome (PMDS) is a Disorder of Sex Development (DSD) caused by mutations in genes encoding anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) or its type II receptor (AMHR2) with autosomal recessive transmission. Objective: To report a case of transverse testicular ectopia (TTE), associated with PMDS, initially presented as an obstructed inguinal hernia.Case presentation: An 18- days- old male infant, wi...

Introduction: Genetic alterations within the cAMP/PKA pathway, including the genes GNAS, PDE11A, PDE8, PRKAR1A/B, and PRKACA, result in a spectrum of adrenocortical disorders. To date, somatic PRKACA variants and germline PRKACA copy number gain have been associated with the development of cortisol-secreting adrenocortical adenomas and bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, respectively. While variants within the PRKAR1A ge...

Background: The COVID-19 crisis required paediatric endocrinologists to rapidly adopt telehealth into their clinical practice. Accurate auxology is a cornerstone of paediatric endocrinology care and is needed to monitor growth and guide medication changes. Remote consultations depend upon parent-reported measurements. However, home height measurements are often inaccurate.Aim: We designed a quality improvement study with...

Introduction: Ovary development was once considered a largely passive process. RNA sequencing (RNAseq) approaches have allowed us to begin to characterise ovary development in previously unparalleled detail, revealing the process to be complex and, still, little understood. A challenge is synthesising and using these data to advance our understanding of clinical disease. Through a clinically-focused lens, we elucidate novel aspects of the transcriptional lands...