ESPE Abstracts

Background: GH insensitivity (GHI) encompasses growth failure, low serum IGF-1 and normal/elevated serum growth hormone (GH) (basal level >5 μg/L and/or peak on provocation testing >10 μg/L). In a significant number of children the molecular cause is unknown.Objective: To investigate the genetic etiology of GHI in a cohort of children by candidate gene (CGS) and whole exome (WES) sequencing.Methods: About 109 pati...

Background: We present a 3 years old boy born on term from young non-consanguineous parents with negative family history. Shortly after birth swelling of the feet and multiple generalised erythematous cutaneous plaques and nodules gradually appeared. Recurrent fever attacks, hepatosplenomegaly, significant growth delay (height – 4.0 S.D.) and progressive loss of subcutaneus fat tissue followed.Objective and hypotheses: Laboratory inve...

Background: Overgrowth disorders are a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by increased growth and other clinical features. Overgrowth may be apparent at birth and can be static or progressive. Some syndromes are associated with increased tumor risk.Objective and hypotheses: A 6-year-old girl with accelerated growth rate was referred. She was born at term and was 55 cm long at birth (+2.4 SD). At 6 years, she was 134.4 cm tall (+3.7 SD) with ...

Background: Published case reports and anecdotal experience suggest a positive effect of dexamphetamine on impetus and weight in patients with hypothalamic obesity.Objective and hypotheses: We aimed to observe these effects in our patients who are offered off-label treatment with dexamphetamine.Method: Between 2010 and 2013, patients starting dexamphetamine treatment were enrolled in a prospective observation study. BMI–SDS wa...

Background: Carbimazole is widely used in the treatment of Graves’ disease and is well tolerated but can produce adverse effects in 5% of cases. Urticaria, which can develop as a drug reaction to carbimazole responds to withdrawal of the drug and symptomatic management. Urticaria is also a rare manifestation of thyrotoxicosis and does not respond to treatment, but regresses rapidly with the control of underlying hyperthyroidism.Objective and hypothe...

Background: Congenital generalized lipodystrophy (CGL) is characterized by the absence of most adipose tissue at birth due to an adipocyte differentiation block. For several forms of CGL, the underlying mutation and pathophysiological pathway has been identified. However, for many cases the genetic cause is still unknown.Objective and hypotheses: We report a patient with CGL who showed a complete absence of fat apart from protective fat pads in a postnat...

Aim: This study investigated rhythmical massage therapy (RMT) and heart rate variability-biofeedback (HRV) to treat dysmenorrhea.Methods: As a part of a randomized controlled trial, 60 patients were allocated to one of the two intervention groups or the crossover control group. For the qualitative study, before and after the 3-month intervention, the women drew their pain into a body silhouette. With the aid of these drawings, half-structured interviews ...

Background: Published case reports and anecdotal experience suggest a positive effect of dexamphetamine, a CNS stimulant on impetus and weight in patients with hypothalamic obesity. Based on these observations, patients presenting to our obesity clinic with hypothalamic obesity are offered off-label treatment with dexamphetamine.Method: Between 2010 and 2015, patients starting dexamphetamine treatment were enrolled in a prospective observation study. A r...

Background: Simple clinical investigations to differ harmless premature thelarche (PT) from pubertal precocity and other pathological conditions are needed as PT is a common condition in girls under the age of 3–4 year.Objective and hypotheses: Since 17β-oestradiol (17β-E2) is the major driver of breast development, the hypothesis is, that it is possible to define an upper serum 17β-oestradiol (17β-E2) level for harmless PT in gi...

Background: The melanocortin-4-receptor (MC4R) plays a key role in body weight regulation. Hypothalamic activation of MC4R reduces food intake and increases energy expenditure. Mutations in the MC4R gene lead to the most common cause of monogenetic obesity. More than 150 different mutations are currently known. Their prevalence in obese subjects differs between 0.2 and 5.8%, depending on ethnicity, age and grade of obesity of the analysed cohort. Impact on phenotype a...