ESPE Abstracts

Background: Neonatal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is influenced by several factors. But the effects are not consistent but different depending on subjects and kind of blood sample.Objective and hypotheses: This study was to evaluate the effect of neonatal, maternal, and delivery factors on neonatal TSH of healthy newborns.Method: Medical records of 713 healthy infants born through normal vaginal delivery were reviewed. TSH lev...

In Ghana, iodine deficiency, which represents the most common cause of preventable brain damage in the world, has been virtually eliminated. As a consequence, congenital hypothyroidism (CH) secondary to dysgenesis or enzymatic defects is now likely to be the most common cause of hypothyroidism in neonates. The prevalence of CH in Ghana is however unknown. Based on data in the African American population, it is thought to be less common that in Caucasians.<p class="abstext"...

Background: Mutations in more than 20 genes are described to cause monogenic diabetes. Nevertheless, numerous families with diabetes of unknown ethology and suspected genetic defect have no molecular diagnosis. This not only impedes our understanding of disease mechanisms but also prevents from predicting the clinical course of the patients and applying the pathogenesis-oriented treatment.Objective: To identify novel gene(s), causing monogenic adolescent...

Background: One major issue of newborn screening programs for 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) is the high rate of false-positive results, especially in preterm neonates. Urinary steroid analysis using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) is used as a confirmatory diagnostic tool.Objective and Hypotheses: The objective of this study was to analyze diagnostic metabolite ratios in neonates and infants with and without 21OHD using GC&#150...

Background: Neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism (NSHPT) has been associated with inactivating mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) gene. Impaired inhibition of PTH secretion by extracellular ionized calcium and decreased urinary excretion of calcium leads to severe hypercalcemia in the first days of life. Calcium responsiveness of the CaSR is amplified by type 2 calcimimetic agents like cinacalcet, which has been able to normalize PTH and calcium levels in cases of...

Background: Hyperglycemic ketoacidosis is an acute, life threatening condition requiring early etiologic recognition and management to prevent serious morbidity/mortality. The most common cause is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Organic acidaemias (OAs) are inheritable metabolic disorders caused by defects in protein metabolism resulting in acid accumulation. Patients with metabolic decompensation usually present with lactic and/or ketoacidosis, with/without hypoglycemia. Hypergl...

Background: Small for gestational age (SGA), defined as ≤−2.0 SDS birth length or weight, is a condition seen in up to 3% of all newborn. Most SGA children catch up height in postnatal life. In a significant number (~10%), however, height remains below the third centile. Recombinant GH therapy is indicated when growth failure continues to 4 years of age. The pathophysiological basis of SGA is complex: monogenic disorders and/or fetal programming by environmental fa...

Background: Tuberous sclerosis (TS) is a polymorphic, dominantly inherited syndrome caused by an inactivating mutation in tumor suppressor genes, TSC1 or TSC2; they regulate mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a key player in control of cellular growth and protein synthesis. The disease involves benign tumors in several distinct organs (such as the skin, kidneys, heart, and CNS), that can interfere with organ function. Rarely TS is associated with endocrine abnormalities, an...

Background: Thyroid function in preterm infants is often altered for various reasons. LBW or VLBW newborns frequently present a particular form of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) characterized by low FT4 and delayed TSH elevation. The incidence of this disease is 1:250 for VLBW babies and 1:1589 for LBW newborns. In this condition, neonatal screening based solely on TSH can miss the diagnosis, therefore some screening programs have proposed to repeat the screening te...

Background: Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) encompasses a group of rare disorders defined by target organ unresponsiveness to parathyroid hormone (PTH). Patients with PHP type 1A carry heterozygous mutations of the maternal GNAS gene that encodes the α-subunit of the G protein. This protein is coupled to the PTH receptor as well as to other heptahelical receptors - TSH, GHRH and gonadotropins receptors.Objective and hypotheses: To describe a...