ESPE Abstracts

Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) results from inappropriate insulin secretion most commonly caused by mutations in the ABCC8 and KCNJ11 genes which encode for the pancreatic β-cells-ATP-sensitive-potassium channel (KATP) subunits SUR1 and KIR6.2 respectively. Diagnosis of CHI is based on the presence of detectable plasma insulin during hypoglycemia, suppressed β-hydroxybutyrate and NEFA. Diazoxide is the major treatment for CHI, sirolimus had also b...

Introduction: Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires appropriate diagnosis and treatment. The most common cause of PAI is congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), but other well-established aetiologies include metabolic and autoimmune disorders, and physical damage. Mutations in more than 30 genes have now been associated with PAI, with considerable biochemical and phenotypic overlap. It is therefore importan...

Introduction: The Newborn Screening Programme (NBS) enables earlier diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism (CH). However, cases of central congenital hypothyroidism (CCH) are missed in countries which use thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) based screening strategy. Understanding the pathogenic aetiology of CCH is particularly important because many patients have additional pituitary hormone deficiencies. New genes have been implicated in CCH, including the rece...

Background: HSH is a rare condition, first described by Paunier et al. (1968). It is an autosomal recessive disorder arising from impaired intestinal absorption of magnesium (Mg) together with renal Mg loss due to a re-absorption defect in the distal convoluted tubule. Mutations in the TRPM6 gene (Chr9q21) (OMIM #607009) have been identified as the underlying genetic defect. A review of 28 affected individuals (21 families) showed median age of diagnosis of 2 months, ...

Background: Several years ago, we developed a recombinant cell bioassay to determine serum estrogenic bioactivity (EBA). In addition to its physiological interest, EBA could be a good marker of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) with estrogenic activity and thus would be useful in the field of environmental-related endocrine diseases.Aims and objectives: To characterise the type of substances that mediate estrogenic activity.Met...

Background: The oestrogenic activity of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) has been reported to be associated with premature thelarche (PT) and precocious puberty. Some years ago, we developed a recombinant cell bioassay to determine serum estrogenic bioactivity (EBA) that is useful in physiology, as well as in the field of the environmental-related endocrine diseases. We recently improved the assay with an evaluation of EBA before and after incubation with estrogen recepto...

Aim: The most common cause of persistent hypoglycemia and related brain damage in infancy is congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI), due to inappropriate secretion of insülin by pancreatic βcells. The most frequent and most serious mutations are activating mutations in ABBC8 or KCNJ11 genes. Genetic analyses, which might predict the type of lesion, performed in early period and 18f dopa pet scanning are very valuable for treatment choice and follow-up of the patients. In t...

Background: Automimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is an extremely rare autoimmune condition caused by AIRE (autoimmune regulator) gene mutations and characterised by a classic triad of 1) chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, 2) hypoparathyroidism and 3) adrenal insufficiency. APECED can involve any endocrine or non-endocrine organ. Consequently, clinicians need to be mindful of the great variability in presentation. Although ad...

Introduction: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a rare neurological condition characterized by raised intracranial pressure (ICP) in the absence of hydrocephalus, brain parenchymal lesion, vascular malformation, or central nervous system (CNS) infection. Hyperthyroidism is a rare but known cause of raised ICP in children and adults, with only a few case reports in the paediatric population. We describe a 7-year-old boy with IIH associated with hype...

Background: Pituitary apoplexy is a clinical syndrome caused by haemorrhage of the pituitary gland, typically characterised by acute confusion, headache, vomiting and visual disturbance. It is regarded as a medical emergency. It is rare in childhood and adolescence, occurring in association with pituitary tumours. We report an unusual case of pituitary apoplexy associated with a cerebral infarction secondary to internal carotid artery compression.<p class=...