ESPE Abstracts

Background: Automimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is an extremely rare autoimmune condition caused by AIRE (autoimmune regulator) gene mutations and characterised by a classic triad of 1) chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, 2) hypoparathyroidism and 3) adrenal insufficiency. APECED can involve any endocrine or non-endocrine organ. Consequently, clinicians need to be mindful of the great variability in presentation. Although ad...

Introduction: Very little is known about the development of the immune system during puberty. Autoimmune diseases, like juvenile onset systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE), have an unexplained female bias and a higher incidence after puberty. IFN alpha (IFNα) is a potent antiviral cytokine, and jSLE has a strong IFNα transcriptional signature. Toll like receptors 7 and 9 (TLR7/9) sense viral RNA and DNA respectively, and trigger plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) to p...

Introduction: There are well described sex differences in the immune system. It has been shown in both innate and adaptive immunity that females have a more robust response than males. Various autoimmune diseases have a strong sex bias towards females. It is the accepted dogma that oestrogen in females relates to an increased risk of autoimmunity, but evidence to this end is scarce. Interferon alpha (IFNα) is a potent anti-viral innate cytokine, and many autoimmune diseas...

Background: Thyroid hormones are essential in the regulation of foetal and post-natal neurodevelopment. Despite early diagnosis and treatment of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) difficulties with language, hearing, memory and motor function persist for some children. However, comprehensive data about hearing, language and communication function in children with CH are not widely available.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate hearing, language and communic...

Introduction: There is still controversy for priming with sex steroid before GH testing.Objective and hypotheses: We studied GH response to stimulation in 92 children >9 years with idiopathic short stature (HtSDS −2). They were divided randomly into two groups. Children in group 1 (n=50) were primed with premarin in girls and testosterone in boys and those in group 2 were not primed (n=42). All children were tested using stand...

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common genetic sever disease in Caucasian populations. It is crucial to identify patients with CF who are at increased risk of acquiring CF-related diabetes (CFRD).Objective: To identify potential demographic, clinical, and laboratory predictors of CFRD in patients with CF.Method: The study group included patients more than 10 years of age with CF and pancreatic insufficiency who attende...

Background: Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is the screening test of choice for Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes (CFRD). HbA1C is considered unreliable in diagnosing CFRD because of increased cell turn over in children and adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis (CF).Objective: To determine the validity of HbA1C as a predictive tool for future abnormal OGTT in CF.Material & Methods: Data were colle...

Introduction: In a large series, approximately 65% of boys with delayed puberty have constitutional delay in growth and puberty (CDGP). We report an adolescent male who presented with delayed puberty and managed as presumed CDGP. Unexpected pubertal progression while receiving treatment made us question the diagnosis of CDGP.Case-report: A 15-year-old African adolescent male presented with delayed growth and puberty. He ...

Background: Immunoassays are subjected to a number of interferences giving abnormal results which may lead to unnecessary investigations and treatment. We present clinical cases in which biotin treatment could be involved in abnormal results of thyroid function tests (TFTs) obtained by immunoassays based on biotinylated antibodies/analogs.Objective and hypotheses: Three infants were admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) during 2015, in Edmond and Lilly S...

Background: Donohue syndrome (DS) is the most severe form of insulin-resistance due to autosomal recessive mutations in the insulin receptor gene. Typical features include pre-/postnatal growth impairment, hyperinsulinaemic hyperglycaemia with fasting hypoglycaemia, nephrocalcinosis, recurrent sepsis, little adipose tissue, soft tissue overgrowth, hirsutism, acanthosis nigricans and facial dysmorphism. However, additional comorbidities may be present, affecting prognosis.<...