ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Limitations of the available imaging technique led the introduction of a new quantitative approach ultrasound-based for assessment of bone tissue in pediatric subjects. This new methodology use data from unfiltered radio frequency signals, collected during ultrasonographic acquisition of bone district of interest to estimate the bone mineral density. Advantages of this new technique include absence of radiation exposure, low cost of management an...

Background: Type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) is the product of a single-copy gene located on chromosome 15 and is ubiquitously expressed in humans. Increased hepatic IGF-1R gene expression is found in hepatocellular carcinoma and in chronic hepatitis C, making parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells more susceptible to the mitogenic effects of IGF-1.Objective and hypotheses: As we have previously demonstrated that IGF-1 and IGF-2 circula...

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism, oligo-anovulation and/or ultrasound finding of polycystic ovaries. Insulin-resistance represents the etiopathogenetic key of PCOS: a deficit of Inositol’s tissue availability seems to be responsible for this clinical picture. Hyperglycemia resulting insulin-resistance, determines a state of chronic inflammation, which increases oxidative stress.<p class="abst...

Background: There is increasing recognition that the in utero environment might influence obesity risk.Objective and Hypotheses: We explored the hypothesis that smoking and alcohol consumption in pregnancy are associated with offspring body composition using the Southampton Women’s Survey mother-offspring birth cohort study.Method: At 34 weeks’ gestation, maternal smoking and any alcohol intake in the preceding 1...

Background: More than >90% of cases of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency, steroid 11β-hydroxylase deficiency accounts for 5–8% of cases.Objective and hypotheses: To seek evidence on the prevalence of CYP11B1 mutations in prepubertal girls, adolescents and adult females with clinical signs of hyperandrogenemia.Method: The study included 31 girls with premature adrenar...

Background: Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency is an autosomal recessive disease with deficient extrahepatic removal of blood lipoproteins.Objective and hypotheses: Primary LPL deficiency can be exacerbated by coexistent conditions such as diabetes, where relative or absolute insulin deficiency leads to an additional secondary LPL deficiency.Method: We describe two cases in which primary LPL deficiency overlapped with previously d...

Introduction: Type 1 Arnold Chiari syndrome (extension of cerebellar tonsils into the foramen magnum without involving the brain stem) causes ataxia, dysphagia, headache, breathing problems… So far, an association between Arnold Chiari and autoimmune diseases has not yet been described in literature.Case 1 description: M.V., on term third born, spontaneous delivery, non complicated pregnancy, normal physical and psychological development stages. He...

Case presentation: G. 15 years 8 months; H 180 cm; P 149.6 kg, BMI 46 kg/m2, second born, father obese, healthy mother and two brothers, no familiarity for T1DM/T2DM, no gestational diabetes. Bronchial asthma, since 2-year-old important weight increase. Flue, polyuria, polydipsia, 12 kg loss in 15 days, anorexia since 5 days, vomit. Hospitalized for tachycardia, dyspnea, and asthenia. On arrival: serious dehydration, Kussmaul breathing, neck subcutaneous emphysema, ...

Background: Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH) is the most common neonatal endocrinologic disorder and one of the most preventable causes of mental retardation and neurological alterations in children. The incidence of CH lies between 1 in 2000-3000 newborns. The replacement therapy with levothyroxine (LT4) should be started immediately since studies show that a rapid normalization of TSH and fT4 optimizes the neurodevelopmental outcome. Infants with Down syndrome...

Introduction: Craniopharyngiomas (CP) are rare pediatric intracranial tumors (1.2-4%) with a peak of incidence between 5-14 years . We retrospectively reviewed data of 16 cases (M/F 4/12) diagnosed before 4 years of age (median follow up 7.2 years) from a cohort of 117 patients (pts) (M/F 56/41) diagnosed after 01/01/2000, followed-up in 14 Italian centres of pediatric endocrinology belonging to the Italian Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetolo...