ESPE Abstracts

Background and Aim: Despite the broad individual variation of pubertal maturation, references traditionally describe growth in relation to just chronological age and not biological age. Hence, growth references for the adolescent period have been of limited usefulness for monitoring individual growth in clinic and for research. Especially for children and adolescents with chronic diseases is there a need to better evaluate if changes in SD-scores just before a...

Background: FSH stimulates ovarian follicle maturation and estradiol synthesis which is responsible for breast development. Age at pubertal onset varies substantially among healthy girls. Although more than half of the variation is heritable, only a small part has been attributed to specific genetic polymorphisms identified so far.Objective and Hypotheses: We assessed the effect on pubertal onset of three genetic polymorphisms affecting FSH action.<p...

Introduction: Childhood prolactinomas often occur as aggressive macro (1–4 cm) or giant (>4 cm) tumours, with little consensus regarding timing of optimal therapies.Aim: To highlight the phenotype and treatment outcome of childhood macroprolactinomas.Subjects and methods: Case-note review of 10 (five male) children (<18 years) (presenting to our centre between 2009 and 2017 with hyperprolactinaemia due to macro/giant-p...

Background: Nonsurgical development of nasal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks may occur in the setting of pituitary adenomas, especially following a favorable response of invasive prolactinomas to initiation of Dopamine Agonist (DA) therapy, but this has not previously described in children.Case description: A girl of Srilankan origin, aged 13.8 years, whose parents spoke no English, presented with headaches and secondary amenorrhea. Pituitary MRI reveale...

Background: Craniopharyngiomas are the commonest pituitary tumours of childhood. Though benign histologically, their localisation and invasive tendency can cause significant neuroendocrine morbidity and late mortality.Objective and hypotheses: To prospectively determine risk factors for neuroendocrine morbidity by longitudinal survival analysis.Method: All children with craniopharyngioma newly presenting to our quaternary centre be...

Introduction: Hereditary causes of rickets often take longer to be diagnosed because they are not very frequent. 1α-hydroxylase alteration is the most frequent vitamin D-dependent rickets. A delay in the treatment associated to a late diagnosis generates an abrupt parathormone deficiency. When initiating treatment, these patients have a risk of hungry bone syndrome.Case: 2-year-8-month-old male patient, with a history of psychomotor...

Background: Type 1 diabetes may have an influence on concentration, attention and behaviour. These effects are relevant, as they may affect school performance and later career options for paediatric diabetes patients.Objective and hypotheses: This study examined attention, concentration and behavioural difficulties in diabetic children aged 5–13 years and their association with hypoglycaemic episodes and HbA1c.Method: 48 child...

Background: Paediatric HPAT, though generally benign, incurs significant neuro-endocrine morbidity. Their management is unclear and the paediatric neuro-oncology or adult pituitary forum at which they are discussed lack pituitary or age-specific expertise respectively. The UK National HPAT Interest Group has pioneered a monthly, multi-site, interdisciplinary, video conferencing decision-making forum, to garner necessary experience and evidence of outcomes to assist worldwide r...

Introduction: Thyroid hormone resistance (THR) is a rare syndrome which is characterized by reduced response to thyroid hormones at tissue level. The disorder is caused by genetic mutation in the thyroid hormone receptor. The most common are a heterozygous thyroid hormone β (THRβ) gene mutations. Laboratory tests usually show normal or elevated level of thyroid- stimulating hormone (TSH) and high concentration of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4).<p c...

Aims: Although rare, craniopharyngiomas are the commonest suprasellar tumour in childhood. Despite high overall survival, children and young people <19 years with craniopharyngiomas are at risk of multiple relapses and long-term tumour- and treatment-related neuroendocrine, cognitive and visual morbidity. A recent international survey highlighted the considerable variation in management strategies employed for these tumours, and the lack of any evidence- a...