ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Previous reports support the hypothesis of an age dependent derangement of the hypothalamus–pituitary axis occurring in PWS subjects. In this context, transition years represent an important phase of growth process when somatic development reaches its completion. In the general population, GH deficiency (GHD) during the transition phase is associated with deterioration of body composition, metabolic alterations and reduced bone mineral density. PWS subjects ...

Background: Currently, the diagnosis of GH deficiency (GHD) in infants and young children is based on the assessment of GH serum levels either during hypoglycaemia or after pharmacological stimulation tests. However, GH cut-off values have not been standardized and provocative tests may be unsafe in this age range.Objective and hypotheses: Brain MRI may replace GH measurements in diagnosing GHD in infancy and young childhood.Method...

Background: Many studies have shown that GH therapy can increase final height in children born SGA. Adult height and growth velocity can be improved in these subjects even if there is not a deficiency of endogenous GH (GHD).Objective and hypotheses: We aimed to analyze growth response after 1 year of GH treatment in children born SGA without GH deficiency.Method: Ten patients (six M, four F) born SGA (according to Gagliardi et ...

Background: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used as flame retardants and have shown endocrine disruption properties in experimental studies. Preliminary studies in animal models have suggested a link between exposure to PBDE and alterations of puberty and reproduction.Objective and hypotheses: To investigate the association between the exposure to PBDEs and alterations of puberty in girls, referred for idiopathic premature thelarche (IP...

Background: ROHHAD/ROHHADNET syndrome (rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysfunction, central hypoventilation, autonomic dysregulation with or without neural tumor - NET) – has been reported in association with cerebral venous thrombosis events, as reported also in central hypoventilation syndrome. It is not clear whether thrombotic risk represents a cause or a consequence of hypoventilation and hypothalamic dysfunction. Aim of our study was to chara...

Background: Childhood-onset obesity is a multifactorial disease with a lifelong health burden. In many cases, obesity is the result of the interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Aim of our study was to define phenotypic features of obese children and adolescents and to find possible associations between clinical phenotype and genetic variants.Patients and Methods: We recruited obese childre...

Background: Central adrenal insufficiency(CAI) is a potential life-threatening condition and a prompt diagnosis represents a clinical challenge; indeed, the Insulin Tolerance Test(ITT), gold standard for CAI diagnosis, can be contraindicated in some conditions. Aims were to evaluate the diagnostic value of the ACTH low test(ACTH-LT) compared to the ITT and to identify eventual determinants(primary diagnosis, risk factors, symptoms, baseline cortisol, hypothala...

Introduction and Aim of the Study: girls with previous pediatric medulloblastoma (MB) are at risk of short stature and impairment of the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal function due to multiple risk factors;our aim was to assess the impact of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) on growth up to final height (FH) in females with or without growth hormone deficiency (GHD).Methods: anthropometrics (height-Ht-SDS, BMI-SDS, Tan...

Background: Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is a heterogeneous syndrome characterized by severe intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation and typical dysmorphic features. The major abnormality is the hypomethylation of paternal allele of 11p15 imprinting centre region 1. In 10% of cases a maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 7 (UPD7) can be detected. Speech delay and learning difficulties have been reported in these patients.Objective and hypothes...

Introduction:Up to 20% of children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) develops low-grade optic pathway gliomas(OPGs) that can result in neuroendocrinopathy.The aim of the study was to identify prognostic factors for developing neuroendocrinopathies in patients with NF1 and OPGs before any treatment.Methods: Records of 117 children with NF1 and OPGs followed at 4 Italian centers between 1997-20...