ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Failure to thrive (FTT) is a common entity encountered by pediatricians. It can be caused by inadequate energy intake or “organic causes” such as inborn errors of metabolism or disorders of the endocrine system. One cause that is rarely seen is a deficiency of aldosterone.Case presentation: A set of 3-month-old monozygotic male twins presented with failure to thrive and dehydration. Initially, they were evaluated ...

Recently our 24-hour culture has been identified as another lifestyle factor that can cause type 2 diabetes. Technological and societal advances such as electric lighting and digital screens – leading to light exposure that is too dim during the day and too bright during the evening –, shift work, time zone transfers, and round-the-clock food availability disrupt our intrinsic and evolutionarily preserved 24-hour rhythms resulting in a desynchronization between lig...

Childhood obesity is a chronic disease with detrimental effects on health and wellbeing. Treatment was traditionally focused on reducing caloric intake and increasing energy expenditure. However, considering the global increase in prevalence in obesity, especially in the paediatric age range, this approach is insufficient and transition to new initiatives is needed. Obesity is a complex disease resulting from the interaction of multiple underlying factors, including personal c...

Background: CHI is a rare condition which can be related to neurological damage due to hypoglycaemic brain injury. Long hospital admissions maybe necessary which can impact babies’ experience of posture and movement, translating to a motor delay. A physiotherapy developmental assessment is a vital part of a multidisciplinary team approach to personalising care. Assessment during admission is essential to provide appropriate developmental support, particu...

Background: In adrenal gland 3β-HSD2 catalyses the conversion of Δ5 to Δ4 steroids (i.e., pregnenolone to progesterone,17 α-hydroxypregnenolone to 17-OHP and DHEA to androstenedione). Defect in this enzyme can affect glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoids and sex steroid synthesis but the clinical and biochemical profile can be very complicating and confusing due to conversion of intermediate steroids to more ac...

Introduction: The CCDC3 gene encodes for a protein expressed in endothelial cells and adipose tissue. Insulin increases its expression and, in turn, CCDC3 positively regulates adipogenesis and lipid accumulation. CCDC3 expression is increased in visceral adipose tissue from subjects with obesity. Gestational obesity can modify the metabolic programming in the offspring through epigenetic mechanisms. However, it is unknown whether the...

Background: Growth hormone (GH) therapy typically involves daily administration of recombinant-human growth hormone (r-hGH) injections over many years. Long-term treatment attracts substantial costs due to the regular usage of injector pens. We conducted a study to understand the environmental impact of reusable and disposable GH injector pens.Aim: To assess environmental sustainability of Aluetta® reusabl...

The medical treatment of osteoporosis in children at present mainly relies on anti-resorptive drugs, in particular bisphosphonates. However, not all forms of pediatric osteoporosis are characterized by increased bone resorption. In disorders with low bone turnover and decreased bone formation activity, such as osteoporosis due to neuromuscular disorders and glucocorticoid exposure, use of bone anabolic approaches appears to be a more logical option than antiresorptive drugs, w...

Among the many complications of type 1 diabetes (T1D), hypoglycemia is an acute concern for children with T1D and their families. Moreover, fear of hypoglycemia is a common barrier to achieving glucose targets. Numerous advances in care have been made since the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial was published in 1993 in which lower HbA1c was associated with increasing risk of severe hypoglycemia. More recent data indicate that lower HbA1c (7% ISPAD target) can be ach...

Introduction: Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have a higher rate of morbidity and mortality compared with the general population, which varies across countries. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common and serious complication of T1D. Osteopontin (OPN) is a calcium binding phosphoprotein that is expressed in glomerular basement membrane. OPN can be a potential marker of vasculopathy and subclinical atherosclerosis and hence a predictor of DN in T1D patients. ...