ESPE Abstracts

Background: Low birth-weight (bw) and unfavourable intrauterine conditions are associated with a subsequent impact on the endocrine system. However, very little is known about the impact on thyroid function.Objective and hypotheses: We observed genetically identical twins with intra-twin bw-differences from birth until adolescence to objectify the impact of a lower bw on development and health in later life.Method: Bw-difference of...

Background: Low birth weight (bw) and unfavourable intrauterine conditions are associated with a subsequent impact on the endocrine system. However, very little is known about the impact on thyroid function.Objective and hypotheses: In a longitudinal study we observed genetically identical twins with intra-twin bw-differences from birth until adolescence to objectify the impact of a lower bw on development and health in later life....

Background: Primary IGF1 deficiency (PIGFD) is a rare disease defined by low IGF1 levels, GH sufficiency and absence of secondary causes of growth failure. Whereas some members of the GH–IGF axis have been shown to be implicated in the severe syndromic forms of PIGFD due to GH insensitivity, genetic causes of less severely affected patients are mostly unknown.Objective and hypotheses: The aim of the present study was to systematically investigate fr...

Background: Low birth weight, unfavourable intrauterine conditions, and post-natal catch-up growth are associated with a subsequent impact on growth and pubertal development. Start of puberty is genetically determined but might be altered due to environmental influences.Objective and hypotheses: In a longitudinal study we observed genetically identical twins with intra-twin birth-weight (bw) differences from birth until puberty.Met...

Background: Low birth weight, unfavourable intrauterine conditions, and post-natal catch-up growth are associated with a subsequent impact on growth, pubertal development, and metabolic disturbances later in life. Although the start of puberty is genetically determined it might be altered due to environmental influences.Objectives: In a longitudinal study (birth to final height) we observed growth and pubertal development of genetically identical twins b...

Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is caused by autoimmunity against the pancreatic beta-cell. Although a significant number of T1DM patients develop further autoimmune disorders during lifetime, coexisting severe immunodysregulation is rare.Objective and hypotheses: Presuming autosomal-recessive inheritance in a complex immunodysregulation disorder including T1DM in two siblings born to consanguineous parents, we performed whole exome sequencin...

Background: Primary IGF1 deficiency (PIGFD) is a rare condition defined by low IGF1 levels, GH sufficiency and absence of secondary causes of growth failure. PIGFD is an approved indication for treatment with recombinant IGF1 (rIGF1). Its genetic causes remain largely unknown.Objective and hypotheses: To elucidate genetic causes of PIGFD.Method: Clinical phenotyping followed by trio-based whole-exome sequencing (WES) in 11 complete...

Background: Certain genetic defects in the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis are associated with severe primary IGF-1 deficiency (SPIGFD) and short stature. Detection of genetic defects may confirm short stature aetiology alongside clinical/biochemical features. Increlex® is a recombinant human IGF-1 (rhIGF-1) approved for children/adolescents with SPIGFD.Methods: The Increlex<...

Background: Low birth-weight and unfavourable intrauterine conditions are associated with a subsequent impact on the endocrine system. Many studies reported hyperandrogenaemia and precocious adrenarche in children born small for gestational age (SGA). However, little information is available on steroid profiles in these subjects.Objective and Hypotheses: We followed genetically identical twins with intra-twin birth-weigh...

Background: Nutrient deprivation during early development has been associated with the predisposition to metabolic disorders in numerous epidemiological studies. Experiments with rodents also indicate a developmental plasticity of neuropsychological characteristics following alterations of early postnatal nutrition.Objective: Considering its interaction with metabolism and regulation of appetite and behavior, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) may represen...