ESPE Abstracts

Background: Craniopharyngioma is a non-malignant embryonic tumour in the pituitary-hypothalamic area, associated with hypothalamic obesity. Dysfunctional parasympathetic nervous system activity has been proposed as one mechanism underlying alterations in energy metabolism. Arterial spin labelling (ASL) is a non-invasive MRI technique that quantifies brain tissue perfusion as a proxy for functional activity. Here, we measure cerebral perfusion in patients with ...

Introduction: Despite existing guidelines there is no unified approach to glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Consequently, treatment varies in adults and children as well as across countries.Objective: We used data from the I-CAH Registry to identify geographical and temporal variations in the treatment with glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids of children and adul...

Background: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a rare condition characterised by adrenal insufficiency and a life-long risk of adrenal crises. There is a paucity of information on the epidemiology of acute adverse events in this population.Objective: To investigate the frequency, aetiology and consequences of acute adverse events attributed to adrenal insufficiency in CAH.Methods</stro...

Background: Steroid 5-α reductase type 2 (SRD5A2) deficiency is an rare inherited disorder resulting from mutations in the SRD5A2 gene, causing 46,XY DSD (Disorder of Sex Development). The mutated SRD5A2 enzyme can no longer convert testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which is needed for virilisation of external genitalia.Objective and hypotheses: To describe the phenotype, investigations and management of SRD5A2 deficiency.<p class="a...

Background: To the best of our knowledge, no study has been conducted to assess the impact of 21 hydroxylase deficiency and hidrocortisone treatment on electrocardiographic measures in children with 21-hydroxylase-deficient congenital adrenal hyperplasia.Objective and hypotheses: The purpose of this study is to compare the12-lead electrocardiographic measures such as PWd, QT interval, QTd, Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratio in patients of 21-hydro...

Background: It is well known that boys are heavier than girls at birth. Causes of this difference are thought to originate from the Y chromosome and as a result of androgen action. Although some studies showed that sex dimorphism in size at birth is dependent of fetal androgens, one study reported that it is not generated by action of androgens.Objective and hypotheses: To determine birth weight (BW) of children in different aetiologies of disorder of se...

Introduction: Data on BP in children with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is inconsistent.Aim: To assess the trend in BP throughout childhood using data from the International CAH registry and compare this to normative data from the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP).Method: This retrospective multi-centre study included 37 centres from 20 countries. BP data was ana...

Background: Recent work revealed two pathways in androgen biosynthesis, namely the classic and an alternative, the backdoor pathway. In this alternative pathway dihydrotestosterone is produced from 17-hydroxyprogesterone without the intermediacy of testosterone using mostly enzymes that are specific to the backdoor path. In the human ovary, regulation of androgen production plays a crucial role in normal physiology and in pathologies such as the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS...

Background: Transcription activator-like effects nucleases (TALENs) have recently been developed as an efficient method for in vivo genome engineering. Zebrafish are becoming an increasingly popular model to study translational aspects in endocrinology. The redox cofactor ferredoxin (FDX1) is essential for mitochondrial cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes including those required for steroidogenesis. In vitro, FDX1 modifications influence the catalytic rate of ster...

Background: The pathophysiological link between the stress axis and mental health disorders is well established. However, the impact of inborn errors of steroidogenesis on the brain remains elusive. We analysed the brain transcriptome of adult zebrafish with impaired steroidogenesis to study the role of steroid hormones in the development of mental and psychiatric disorders.Methods: Adult brains from two established zebr...