ESPE Abstracts

Background: It has been previously proposed that not all children with short stature displaying an inadequate response to tests for growth hormone (GH) secretion truly suffer from GH deficiency (GHD). Instead, amongst these, solely children with an identifiable monogenic cause of GHD or an identifiable functional or anatomical anomaly in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis should be considered GHD. The remaining patients should be defined as affected by “sho...

Introduction: Previous studies have demonstrated varying patterns of growth in children with Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD), particularly in the first two years of life, a period crucial for growth and development. This study aims to compare the early growth patterns, specifically the rate of catch-down growth in the initial months post-birth, of children diagnosed with GHD. By juxtaposing our findings with existing literature, we seek to deepen the understan...

Background: Prenatal dexamethasone treatment (Pdex) has been used since the 1980s to prevent virilization in female offspring suspected to have congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). However, due to lack of strong evidence for its best practice as well as limited data regarding long term adverse effects, use of dex is highly controversial. This study reveals the current medical practice regarding Pdex in female fetuses at risk of CAH due to 21 hydroxylase defic...

Background: In 2019, the International CAH Registry (I-CAH) performed a benchmarking exercise of acute adrenal insufficiency related adverse events including adrenal crises (AC) and sick day episodes (SDE).Methods: In 2022, I-CAH data on children aged <18 years at first visit with 21-hydroxylase deficiency CAH from 35 centres in 19 countries were analysed to examine the current occurrence of SDE and AC and compare it ...

Introduction: CFTR-modulating therapy aims to restore CFTR function. It improves lung function and quality of life in CF patients however, its effects on glucose metabolism are not yet well defined.Methodology: Retrospective and longitudinal study.Inclusion criteria: patients with CF genetic diagnosis ≥10 years old on modulator therapy (ivacaftor + lumacaftor or ivacaftor + teza...

Introduction: Pubertal growth is hormone dependent. The anthropometric (height, weight) and sexual (Tanner stage (TS)) changes are accompanied by growth in foot length. However, the relationship between changes in foot length and other anthropometry remains unclear. Our aim was to determine how changes in foot length relate to growth parameters (height and weight), self-rated TS and serum sex steroids.Methods: We used data from the Adolescent Rural Cohor...

Transition from intrauterine to extrauterine life is a vulnarable time and needs special attention by health professionals. Although only a small group of infants are at-risk for transitory, recurrent or permanent hypoglycemia prompt diagnosis and effective treatment had to avoid permanent brain injury. Neonatologists are aware of hypoglycemia in premature as well as in small for gestational age infants, however lower limits of blood glucose are often debated with endocrinolog...

Introduction: Increased cytokine release, impaired antioxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been shown in β-cells in pathogenesis of T1DM. Increased ROS leads to formation of covalent bonds between the sulfur atoms, leading to disulphide conversion. Displacement to disulphide form of this thiol/disulphide balance starts the oxidative damage. This study evaluates the thiol/disulphide balance in children with T1DM.Material...

Background: The most common form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia is 21-hydroxylase deficiency (CAH). In women with classic CAH, the fertility rate is lower than in the general female population, and an increased rate of miscarriages has been reported. There are no data on the incidence rate of miscarriages in families with an offspring that have classic CAH.Methods: The families came from different parts of Germany and attended the annual meeting of th...

Background: Vitamin D status in children with isolated GHD has been analyzed in few studies with controversial results. The aim of the study was to assess vitamin D status in children with idiopathic GHD in North and Central Greece.Materials and methods: 128 children (M/F: 76/61, mean age 9.5 (S.D.±3.5 years) with isolated GHD were compared with 65 controls (M/F: 46/3, mean age 9.3 (S.D.±3.2 years). Children were d...