ESPE Abstracts

Background: The diagnosis of Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) involves the use of GH stimulation tests that require day case admission, multiple blood sampling and are associated with significant adverse effects.Aim: To assess the utility of gene expression (GE) profiling and candidate SNP analysis for the diagnosis of and classification of GHD.Method: Pre-pubertal treatment-naïve children with GHD (n=98) were enrolled from the...

Background: EPIGROW was a prospective European epidemio-genetic study in children with idiopathic short stature (ISS).Objectives: To identify (1) differences in frequencies of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in growth related genes between ISS children and controls, and (2) associations between growth characteristics, IGF status and SNPs in these genes.Methods: Sequence data from EPIGROW was used to determine the difference ...

Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the promotor and 5’UTR of the transcriptional factor, ZBTB38, are associated with adult height and idiopathic short stature although their precise auxological effects have not previously been described. In addition, the molecular mechanisms through which ZBTB38 affects growth have not been fully elucidated but potential downstream mediators are suggested to include MCM10 or IGF2.Objectives: <...

Background: The disturbance of the GH-IGF-axis in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) with low circulating IGF-I, GH hypersecretion, and hyperinsulinemia, which may be associated with high tissue IGF-I, have implications on long-term vascular complications.Objective and hypotheses: To establish disease, sex and age related serum IGF-I reference values for children with T1DM and test the hypothesis that IGF-I SDS is lower in T1DM than in healthy controls and negativel...

Background: The post-authorization registry, EU-IGFD, was initiated in Dec-2008 to collect data in children with growth failure receiving Increlex® (Mecasermin [rDNA Origin] Injection).Objective and hypotheses: To report patient characteristics, safety and effectiveness data in poor-responders (i.e. with change in year 1 Height SDS <0.3).Method: European, multicentre, open-label, observational study; eCRF data collection.<...

Background: The relationship of pre-treatment gene expression (GE) to long-term growth response in GHD is unknown. Prediction of long-term response to r-hGH therapy would allow better decision making about start and maintenance doses and hence cost:benefit.Objective and hypotheses: To assess the relationship of baseline GE to response to r-hGH over 5 years of therapy in GHD children.Method: Pre-pubertal children with GHD (n</em...

Background: Low birth weight and unfavourable intrauterine conditions are associated with long-term effects on life.Objective and hypotheses: In a longitudinal study, we followed genetically identical twins with intra-twin birth-weight (bw) differences due to twin–twin transfusion syndrome from birth until after puberty. We propose that differences in birth weight lead to differences in hormone levels with effects on personality and cognitive functi...

Introduction: Growth promoting effects of GH occur in parallel with its impact on insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism; underlying biological networks that link these actions are not defined. Our objective was to identify gene expression (GE) networks linking growth with metabolic responses in GH-treated children with GHD.Methods/design: Pre-pubertal children with GH Deficiency GHD (n=125) were enrolled from the PREDICT short-term (NCT002561...

Background: The post-authorization registry, European Increlex® (Mecasermin (rDNA Origin) injection) growth forum database (EU-IGFD) was initiated in Dec 2008 to collect data on children with growth failure treated with Increlex®.Objective: To report 4-year safety and effectiveness data.Methods: Multicenter, open-label observational study, eCRF data collection.Results: As of 30...

Background: The effect of bisphosphonates in patients with severe osteopenia of prematurity is unknown in terms of either fracture prevention or long-term safety. A 6-month-old male infant born at 24+2 weeks gestation was referred for consideration of bisphosphonate therapy in the management of severe osteopenia of prematurity. The neonatal course included chronic lung disease requiring four courses of corticosteroids. Despite optimal calcium, phosphate and vitamin D supplemen...