ESPE Abstracts

Aggrecan is a structural glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix of cartilage present in the articular cartilage, growth plate and cartilage of the intervertebral disc. Biallelic pathogenic variants are the cause of aggrecan type spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (OMIM#612813) while the presence of heterozygous pathogenic variants determine Kimberley type spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (OMIM#608361) and short stature associated or not with acceleration of bone maturation and early o...

Introduction: Noonan syndrome (NS) is one of a group of diseases known as rasopathies, which share a common molecular substrate: alterations in the RAS-MAPK signaling pathway. NS is characterized by clinical and genetic heterogeneity. Up to 50% of cases are caused by variants in the PTPN11 gene, although more than 10 genes have been identified as involved in the pathogenesis of this disease with marked clinical overlap.Objectives...

Background: It is well known that ingestion of a high fat diet (HFD) can induce rapid weight gain and metabolic imbalances. However, males and females are not equally susceptible to these effects. Furthermore, an individual may be more prone to gain weight during specific developmental periods.Aims and objectives: We aimed to analyse the response to the acute exposure to a HFD during pubertal/adolescent period and to determine whether males and females r...

Introduction: Published studies on pubertal growth of SGA patients on GH therapy are scarce. An earlier and shorter duration of puberty has been described. Treatment optimization may be necessary and also know their influence on adult height.Objetives: Analyse the evolution of height durig puberty in SGA patients treated with GH. Asses the age of onset of puberty and its relationship to adult and target height.Methods: Retrospectiv...

Background: Insulin resistance precedes metabolic syndrome abnormalities, and may promote cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in obese children. Lifestyle modification programs have been proposed as the gold standard of care in these individuals. However, results have been discouraging and the use of adjuvant strategies has been necessary. Metformin has beneficial effects on weight reduction, favoring a decrease in body mass index (BMI) and insulin resistance in obese n...

Background: Although a large number of publications show a high prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) during childhood, to date, there is no uniform definition for evaluating this condition in children and adolescents. In the pediatric population, there are difficulties for characterizing this condition and the various criteria used might lead to underdiagnosis. In recent years, the triglycerides/HDL (TG/HDL) ratio has been proposed as a new marker.Objec...

Background: The ECOS observational study in Spain (NCT01376921) aims to evaluate adherence to r-hGH therapy prescribed via the easypod™ electromechanical auto-injector device and to analyse factors that may influence adherence in paediatric patients. Easypod™ administers pre-set doses of Saizen® r-hGH and stores accurate records of each dose and injection taken, which can then be shared with the HCP for evaluation of the patient’s adherence.<...

Background: Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is the major sex steroid carrier protein. Its production is negatively regulated by insulin and monosaccharides. The concentration of SHBG increases between 16 and 27 weeks gestation and is negatively associated with pre-gestational BMI and weight gain during pregnancy. The link of SHBG with cardiovascular risk is poorly understood.Objective and hypotheses: In obese pregnant women, we aimed to study the ass...

Background: The diagnosis of GH deficiency in children is based on clinical, auxological, radiographic and biochemical criteria which include response to Pharmacological Estimulation Tests (PhT). It is well known that GH concentrations vary according to the assay method used. Currently in our population, the proposed cut-off value of serum GH PhT is 4.7 ng/ml measured by ICMA using the IRP 98/574.Objective and hypotheses: The aims of this study were to d...

Background: Prenatal dexamethasone (DXM) treatment has been proposed to prevent genital virilization in girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), however its safety has been questioned for potential adverse effects on the foetus and the mother.Objective and hypotheses: To analyse clinical practice and prenatal treatment experience with DXM during pregnancy at risk of having her daughters with severe CAH.Method: An online sur...