ESPE Abstracts

Background: The presence of a thyroid nodule (TN) is a rare clinical condition during childhood and adolescence. In children, classically was considered malignant and total thyroidectomy was recommended whenever a TN was detected or in the case of cold nodules. There are not long time series in children, but recent clinical guidelines recommend an initial management as in adults.Objective and hypotheses: Review TN in children in our area.<p class="ab...

Introduction: Pituitary gigantism is caused by a somatotroph pituitary tumor that occurs before epiphyseal closure and is associated with increased morbidity due to the systemic effects of chronic hormonal excess. It is an extremely rare disease, with an estimated incidence of 8 per million person-years. Therapeutic modalities for pituitary gigantism are the same as those for acromegaly and include surgery, medication and radiation. Medical treatment plays an ...

Background: Pregnancy associated plasma protein (PAPP)-A2 is an insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein (BP) protease that regulates IGF-1 availability, affecting postnatal growth. We have recently reported the first mutations in human PAPP-A2 causing short stature and changes in bone size and mineral density. However, the IGF system is involved in diverse physiological functions and to date it is unknown how mutations in PAPP-A2, which significantly reduce f...

Background: An activation cascade of specific genes sets up the initiation of sex determination leading in males to testes formation and synthesis of testicular hormones. Disruption of this gene cascade may cause a spectrum of 46,XY disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) phenotypes. Here we describe for the first time two sisters suffering from 46,XY DSD, who by whole exome sequencing revealed to carry a X-linked mutation in the StAR-related lipid transfer domain prote...

Adrenocortical tumours are a rare disease in the paediatric population, with a higher prevalence in children under 5 years. The aetiology is partially known; in some cases it is related to mutations in the tumour suppressor gene p53 (TP 53). The classical symptoms of the Cushing syndrome are not usually present in children, so we should suspect this disease in children and teenagers with obesity or with slow growth velocity.Methods: We report a case of a...

Background: Prevalence of childhood obesity (OB) represents a major public health concern, given the tracking of body weight from childhood to adult age and obesity-related morbidity.Objective: To describe prevalence of overweight (OW) and OB in children at 8 years and investigate relationship with metabolic alterations (lipid profile and insulin resistance).Methods: 485 pregnant mothers recruited between 2004-2007 and 409 children...

Background: Obesity is one of the major risk factor for metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, and its global prevalence has increased exponentially in the last decades. Excessive weight gained during early childhood increases long-term risk; however, reversing this condition during early-life reduces risk, improving children’s quality of life.Objective and hypotheses: We hypothesized that a lifestyle intervention in obese prepubertal children woul...

Background: Prevalence of childhood obesity represents a major public health concern, given the tracking of body weight from childhood to adult age and its health sequelae.Objective: To describe prevalence of overweight (OW) and obesity (OB) in children at 8 years and investigate the relationship with pre-pregnancy maternal weight and weight status at 4 years.Methods: 485 pregnant mothers recruited between 2004 and 2007 and 409 chi...

Introduction: Maternal deprivation (MD) during neonatal life has diverse long-term effects, including modification of metabolism. Some of these effects are sexually dimorphic. We have previously reported that MD in rats blocks the physiological neonatal leptin surge, which could underlie the long-term metabolic changes.Hypothesis: We hypothesized that replacement of leptin during MD would normalize long-term endocrine changes.Metho...

Background: Rasopathies are a heterogeneous group of diseases that share phenotypic characteristics such as facial dysmorphism, congenital heart disease and short stature.Objective and hypotheses: Evaluation of growth and study of the GH–IGF1 axis. Molecular Study of the PTPN11, SOS1, RAF, KRAS, NRAS, MAP2K1 and MAP2K2 genes. Evaluation of growth and study of the GH–IGF1 axis.Method: Descriptive retrospective study in pat...