ESPE Abstracts

Prader Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare neuro-genetic disorder inherited as a result of lack of expression in 15q11-13 gene and 70% are paternally inherited. Characteristic features are dysmorphism, behavioural problems, infantile hypotonia, short stature, hypothalamic dysfunction, hyperphagia and morbid obesity. The long-term morbidity and mortality depend on hypothalamic dysfunction and obesity. While multidisciplinary care is essential, growth hormone (GH) is a recognized...

Many women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a delayed diagnosis after seeing multiple health care providers for their symptoms impacting on their physical and emotional well-being (1). In adolescent girls, PCOS diagnosis is even more controversial and challenging than in adult women yet there have been no studies in adolescents evaluating diagnostic experience, their knowledge and concerns. We aimed to evaluate diagnostic experience and concerns regarding PCOS in an ...

Background: Several previous publications have documented the usefulness of Nifedipine for treating hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia (HI). These reports include transient and persistent forms of HI, with and without known genetics, used in monotherapy or in combination with other drugs, and demonstrate various outcomes.Objective and hypotheses: To systematically trial Nifedipine in children with known HI mutations and diazoxide unresponsive, assessing gly...

Background: Since the late 1960’s, pubertal breast staging has been based on Tanner’s classification. Appearance of glandular breast tissue may be difficult to distinguish by palpation from the surrounding subcutaneous fat tissue, especially in obese girls. To our knowledge, validation of the clinical assessment of pubertal stages by MRI quantification of glandular breast tissue has never been performed.Objective and hypotheses: i) To report no...

Background: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency is one of the most common monogenic autosomal recessive disorders with an incidence of one in 15 000, and even more common in some populations. Do carriers have a survival advantage?Objective and hypotheses: The HPA axis has been reported to be more active in CYP21A2 carriers, and possibly enable a more rapid return to homeostasis. A compensatory increase in CRH s...

The Ovotesticular Disorder of Sexual Development (OT DSD) is a rare condition characterized by histologic demonstration of both ovarian and testicular tissue in the same individual. Descriptions in literature usually have small samples and do not include patient evolution data. The aim of this study is to describe clinical, biochemical and histological findings, as well as long-term outcomes (including onset and progression of puberty) in patients with OT DSD, accompanied betw...

Background: Costello syndrome may be associated with Hyperinsulinaemic Hypoglycaemia (HI), but this is usually a mild medically-responsive form.Objective and hypotheses: To describe the clinical characteristics, biochemical findings and challenging management of a case of Costello syndrome with severe HI.Method: Review of the patient’s medical records.Results: Male, born to non-consanguineous healthy par...

Background: Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is the most common cause of persistent hypoglycaemia in the neonatal period, characterized by unregulated insulin secretion by pancreatic β-cells. In addition to medical therapy, frequent feeding to prevent hypoglycaemia is one of the most important aspects in the management of CHI.Objective and hypotheses: To identify the number of patients with CHI who have associated feeding difficulties and determine ...

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a key component of the body's defence against cold challenge and possesses the ability to convert large amounts of chemical energy to heat, conferred by a unique protein, uncoupling protein (UCP)-1, diverting mitochondrial respiration from the production of adenosine triphosphate. In humans, the largest BAT depot is in the supraclavicular region. Sympathetic nervous system stimulation induces glucose uptake into brown adipose tissue, as does i...

Background: Sjogren’s syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disease, and it is rare in pediatric population. Primary symptoms are dry mouth and dry eyes. However, it may present with systemic manifestations, involving lungs, liver, kidneys, vasculature, and blood. We report a case of Sjogren's syndrome with systemic involvement in a child with Graves' disease.Case report: A 9-year-old 11-month-old girl presen...