ESPE Abstracts

Background: The genetic causes of disorders of sex development (DSD) are difficult to identify since these conditions are refractory to classic genetic approaches. In particular the underlying genetic mutations of most cases of 46,XY DSD is unknown.Objective and hypotheses: Using an exome sequencing approach we aimed to identify new genetic factors involved in 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis.Method: Exon enrichment was performed using Agi...

Background: HbA1c was recommended as diagnostic tool in adults at risk for diabetes. In obese patients, HbA1c shows an association even with other features of metabolic syndrome. However, its value in pediatric population for this purpose has yet to be established.Material and methods: We determined HbA1c (IFCC method) in 307 overweight/obese children and adolescents (age 11.4±3.2; range 3.0–17.9 and BMI 27.9±4.7; range 20.4–47.6) val...

Background: Noonan syndrome (NS) is a congenital polymalformative disorder caused by aberrant up-regulated signalling through RAS GTPase. Although NS is associated with hematologic malignancies, no predisposition for neuronal tumors was reported so far.Objective and hypotheses: We describe two cases of young patients with NS and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNET). This is the first case series reporting a rare type of intracranial tumor in NS....

Background: Poor linear growth is still one of the main concerns in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). An impairment of linear growth, adversely affecting final height, has been related both to overtreatment with glucocorticoid replacement therapy and to poor control of adrenal androgen levels.Objective and hypotheses: To define factors that influence linear growth and final height in patients with classical CAH.Me...

Background: The prevalence of dysglycaemia is high among overweight children and adolescents. Current screening criteria with fasting laboratory values have low sensitivity to detect IGT. Fasting triglycerides (TG) >1.17 mmol/l has been proposed as a criterion for screening obese children and adolescents at risk for IGT.Aims and objectives: We aimed to compare the performance of different screening criteria for detecting IGT in obese and overweight c...

Background: GH deficiency (GHD) is classically defined on the basis of a cut-off applied to the peak GH level during stimulation tests; a process with recognised limitations. Identifying the functional role of genes whose expression is associated with pGH may help with our understanding and classification of GHD.Objective and hypotheses: Identify patterns of gene expression (GE) related to pGH and to describe the function, and regulation of these genes.<...

Background: Response to GH treatment has been associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the promoter region of growth-related genes including GRB10 (rs1024531 (A/G, allele A increased response)), IGFBP3 (rs3110697 (G/A, G increased response)), CYP19A1 (rs10459592 (T/C, T increased response)) and SOS1 (rs2888586 (G/C, C increased response)). SOS1 is a positive regulator of GH signalling (MAPK pathway); the aromatase CYP19A1 promotes oestrogen synthesis to im...

Background: Obese adults with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) but 1-h post load glucose (1 hPG)≧155 mg/dl have an increased cardiometabolic risk. In children, preliminary data suggest that 1hPG≧132.5 mg/dl might identify those at higher risk of type 2 diabetes.Objective and hypotheses: To assess whether NGT obese youth with 1hPG ≧132.5 mg/dl (High-NGT) have worse insulin sensitivity and secretion compared to obese youth with 1hPG &#60...

Background: Noonan syndrome (NS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by specific features including short stature, distinctive facial dysmorphic features, congenital heart defects, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, skeletal anomalies and webbing of the neck. Molecular screening has shown that the majority of individuals with NS have a mutation in the PTPN11 gene. Noonan syndrome children may show an impaired GH/IGF axis. Moreover, recombinant human GH (rhGH) has been sh...

Introduction: Transient congenital hypothyroidism (TCH) refers to a temporary deficiency of thyroid hormone identified after birth, with low thyroxine (T4) and elevated thyrotropin (TSH). Approximately 17%-40% of children diagnosed with CH by newborn screening (NBS), have transient hypothyroidism. Levo-thyroxine (L-T4) early treatment is recommended at the dose 10-15 µg/kg/day. Children with thyroid gland in situ should be re-evaluated after the ...