ESPE Abstracts

Background: Distal chromosome 16 duplication syndrome, also known as 16q partial trisomy, is a very rare genetic disorder. Smaller chromosomal copy number variants (CNVs) within the 16q region create partial trisomies, which occur less frequently than full trisomy 16q. Trisomy 16q is generally associated with a multisystemic phenotype including intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), brain and cardiac defects, intellectual disability and an increased risk of b...

Introduction: Familial male-limited precocious puberty (or testotoxicosis) is a very rare genetic disorder with autosomal dominant transmission that causes gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty due to mutations activating the lutropin-chorionic gonadotropin receptor (LHCGR), which lead to elevated testosterone levels and suppressed gonadotropins. The age of onset is between 2-5 years essentially with penis and testes enlargement, linear growth accelerati...

The accumulation of adipose tissue, especially visceral fat, represents a risk factor for reduced bone mineral density and spontaneous fractures. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the complex relationship between adipose tissue and bone. Obesity is associated with the production of inflammatory cytokines both by adipocytes and immune cells which may stimulate bone resorption and reduce bone strength. Studies in vitro and in vivo have reported t...

Hypercalcemia and nephrocalcinosis (NC) are rare findings associated with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), whose pathogenetic mechanisms are still unclear. In this study we aimed to investigate the prevalence of NC in a cohort of Italian children affected with classical form of CAH, and to correlate its association with metabolic control of the disease.Subjects and Methods: This is a multicenter one year-perspective study involving ...

Background: ROHHAD(NET) syndrome has been proposed as an acquired neuroimmunological dysfunction. Aim of the study is to compare the phenotype of lymphocyte subpopulations in patients vs controls and to evaluate the plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in ROHHADNET syndrome.Patients and Methods: We included 14 patients (9F;5M), selected by clinical criteria, matched with 11 controls with simple obesity ...

Background: Central adrenal insufficiency(CAI) is a potential life-threatening condition and a prompt diagnosis represents a clinical challenge; indeed, the Insulin Tolerance Test(ITT), gold standard for CAI diagnosis, can be contraindicated in some conditions. Aims were to evaluate the diagnostic value of the ACTH low test(ACTH-LT) compared to the ITT and to identify eventual determinants(primary diagnosis, risk factors, symptoms, baseline cortisol, hypothala...

Introduction: X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLHR) is due to mutations in the PHEX gene inducing increased levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), phosphate wasting, hence rickets. FGF23 is suspected to be as an important metabolic regulator of glucose and lipid metabolism.Objective: To describe the metabolic profile (body mass index, blood pressure, glucid and lipid profile) in patients with XLHR and evaluate the correlation between FGF23 lev...

Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder resulting from lack of expression of the paternally derived chromosome 15q11–13, associated with several complications, including pubertal disorders, short stature, hyperphagia, obesity, glucose metabolism abnormalities, scoliosis, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and behavioral problems. We report the case of a girl affected by PWS who presented at the age of 5.9 with premature pubarche, accelerated lin...

Background: Children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) show endocrine complications and metabolic alterations. The physiopathology of these conditions is not completely understood: iron overload due to chronic transfusions, ischemic damage, and inflammatory state related to vaso-occlusive crises may be involved. Aims of this study were to evaluate the growth pattern and the endocrine and metabolic alterations in a cohort of children with SCD and to detect the relationship between...

We present the case of a five-day female admitted to our Paediatric Unit due to TSH elevation (bTSH 303 mIU/L) on routine neonatal screening for congenital hypothyroidism (CH). The patient was born at 38 weeks’ gestation by c-section presenting with adequate auxological parameters. Her mother suffered from Hashimoto’s disease, already diagnosed before pregnancy, and requiring Levo-thyroxine therapy (L-T4). Blood tests performed at five days of life revealed the pre...