ESPE Abstracts

The growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) system is essential for optimal human growth and energy homeostasis. Deficiency of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A2 (PAPP-A2), a protease involved in the liberation of free IGF-1, leads to problems in growth and bone density in humans and mice. Patients with PAPP-A2 deficiency also present lower body mass and mild glucose intolerance. The present study aimed to determine the influence of 1 month of high carbohydr...

Cushing’s disease (CD) is rare entity especially in pediatric patients. It is associated with significant morbidity. Early diagnosis and treatment is important for optimal outcome.Aim: To evaluate the clinical, biochemical, pathology, treatments and outcome in a cohort of CD pediatrics patients in a single tertiary center.Subjects and Methods: Retrospective review of 27 medical records of CD ...

Background: Patients with 46, XY DSD present conflicts and issues related to gender identity (GI) and change to male social sex in patients registered in the female social sex is not rare. The HTP test is a projective psychological test, which assesses aspects related to sexual identification. GI in this test is defined as female (F), male (M) or ambiguous.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate GI in patients with 46, XY DSD by the HTP test and compare th...

Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) results from inappropriate insulin secretion most commonly caused by mutations in the ABCC8 and KCNJ11 genes which encode for the pancreatic β-cells-ATP-sensitive-potassium channel (KATP) subunits SUR1 and KIR6.2 respectively. Diagnosis of CHI is based on the presence of detectable plasma insulin during hypoglycemia, suppressed β-hydroxybutyrate and NEFA. Diazoxide is the major treatment for CHI, sirolimus had also b...

Background: A total of 456 skeletal dysplasias have been classified by molecular, biochemical and/or radiological criteria, into 40 groups. Despite this, the precise, final diagnosis is often difficult due to the high phenotypic and genotypic variability.Objective: To improve the molecular and clinical diagnosis of skeletal dysplasias using a custom-designed next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel.Method: A total of 56 skeletal dysp...

Aim: The most common cause of persistent hypoglycemia and related brain damage in infancy is congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI), due to inappropriate secretion of insülin by pancreatic βcells. The most frequent and most serious mutations are activating mutations in ABBC8 or KCNJ11 genes. Genetic analyses, which might predict the type of lesion, performed in early period and 18f dopa pet scanning are very valuable for treatment choice and follow-up of the patients. In t...

Background: Reports suggest that youths with short stature (SS) exhibit academic under-achievement relative to cognitive aptitude and GH treatment diminishes the difference. However, interpretation of this achievement-aptitude discrepancy is confounded by the use of achievement and intelligence tests normed in different samples.Objective and hypotheses: To assess whether reports of academic underachievement in SS samples are partially attributable to cho...

Introduction: Cortisol homeostasis dysregulation has been associated to essential hypertension in adults. Higher levels of cortisol have been described in preterm-born individuals, who have also a higher risk of hypertension at younger ages. Several enzymes modulate peripheric cortisol metabolism. The 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11b-HSD) type 2 metabolizes cortisol into cortisone, preventing mineralocorticoid receptors’ activation by cortisol. The i...

Introduction: Preclinical models demonstrated that Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL-4) regulates lipid metabolism and affects energy homeostasis. However, no data exist regarding its involvement in childhood and adolescence, periods of life with important metabolic changes.Objectives: We aimed to investigate circulating levels of ANGPTL-4 in children and adolescents and its relationship with gender, puberty and obesit...

Background: The correlation between obesity and depression is well established. Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid that acts as substrate for serotonin and melatonin biosynthesis, both know to play a role in satiety, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, low plasma Trp levels have been associated with obesity.Objective: To investigate the effects of Trp supplementation as a conjunctive therapy to conventional life-style intervention on weight lo...