ESPE Abstracts

Background: The cardinal feature of the resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is reduced responsiveness of target tissues to thyroid hormone action caused by thyroid hormone receptor β gene (THRB) mutations impairing hormone binding in the majority (90%) of cases. It results in elevated serum levels of free thyroxine (FT4) and triiodothyronine (FT3) associated with unsuppressed thyroid SH.Objective and hypotheses: The ai...

Background: Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) is the most frequent acquired thyroid disease in childhood and adolescence. However it can evolve silently also for a long period, without signs and/or symptoms evocative of the diagnosis.Objective and hypotheses: A late diagnosis can reduce growth velocity, increase weight and particularly BMI, with an increased risk of obesity in pubertal age.Method: We analyzed 39 patients (age: 11.3±3...

Background: A secular trend for the timing of menarche has been described in women, but for men, studies of pubertal timing are scarce. Both negative and positive associations between childhood obesity and pubertal timing in men have been reported. In Sweden, Child Health Care (CHC) centers follow all children regarding growth and general health. We have collected detailed CHC growth data (height and weight) from centrally archived records for all children born 1946 or later i...

Background: Isolated GH deficiency type II (IGHD II), the autosomal-dominant form of GH deficiency, is mainly caused by specific splicing mutations in the human GH (hGH) gene (GH-1). These mutations, occurring in and around exon 3, cause complete exon 3 skipping and produce a dominant-negative 17.5-kDa GH isoform that reduces the accumulation and secretion of wt-GH.Objective and hypotheses: As the severity of IGHD II inversely correlate...

Background: Congenital multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD) arises from defects in pituitary development and is sometimes associated with craniofacial abnormalities. Mutations in the transcription factor PROP1 are the most common known genetic cause of the disorder. In this case the course of disease is progressive, and can lead to life threatening adrenal insufficiency.Objective and hypotheses: Our objective is to understand the role of PROP1 in...

Background: As well as acting on longitudinal growth, growth hormone (GH) also has a number of metabolic effects, and is involved in the regulation, functioning and development of the immune system.Aims: To evaluate the immune profile in GH-deficient children after 6 months’ GH treatment.Method: A total of 44 children were examined before and after a six-month course of treatment with rhGH (0.03 mg/Kg per day). Levels of IGF1 ...

Background: Chronic diseases are the main causes of bone mass reduction in childhood and adolescence. Different aspects related to the process of bone acquisition and maintenance may be affected. Studies had point out the presence of bone mass reduction in children and adolescents with HIV infection with association to antiretroviral use, chronological age (CA), weight and serum CD4 T-cell counts. However, others do not.Objective: To evaluate bone minera...

Background: Significant changes in metabolism and water equilibrium are registered during pregnancy. However, very limited previous investigations have been carried out on variations of exposure levels and metabolism of non-persistent environmental chemicals during pregnancy.Objective and hypotheses: The objective of this longitudinal study is to describe variation in exposure of pregnant women to environmental chemicals. We hypothesise that variation in...

Background: The molecular genetics of isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) has been a subject of interest and recent discoveries. Multiple genetic variants with x-linked and autosomal inheritance are involved in the regulation of the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis.Objective and hypotheses: We undertook an extensive genetic evaluation to elucidate a possible genetic aetiology in two brothers with clinical and biochemical evidence of IHH. We h...

Background: Testicular adrenal rest tumor (TART) is one of the main causes of decreased fertility in men with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). TART may occurs in childhood but there is no currently identified factors influencing the development of this condition.Objective and hypotheses: To study the role of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid undertreatment in the TART development in children and adolescents with CAH, 21-hydroxylase deficiency.</p...