ESPE Abstracts

Background: Studies in animal models revealed that brown and white adipocytes derive from different progenitor cells. Molecular characteristics of these cells have not been investigated in detail in humans.Objective and hypotheses: To identify novel markers of human brown adipocyte progenitor cells.Method: Progenitor cells from human paired deep neck and subcutaneous adipose tissue samples were obtained from n=12 subjects ...

Background: Congenital diarrheal disorders (CDDs) are a large group of life-threatening genetic disorders that are frequently difficult to diagnose. We report four siblings from consanguineous kindred with persistent generalized malabsorptive diarrhea hypothyroidism, GH deficiency, intermittent diabetes insipidus, and monogenic obesity.Objective and hypotheses: To find the genetic etiology for the CDD in four cases from consanguineous family using homozy...

Background: The androgen receptor (AR) is essential for the development of primary and secondary male characteristics and is activated by its ligand dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Reduced AR activity can cause undervirilization and infertility. We recently developed an assay to test AR function as a ligand-dependent transcriptional activator in human genital skin fibroblasts (GF). So far it is unclear, if AR expression levels correlate with AR function in the male external genital...

Background: Due to the rarity of Paediatric Cushing’s disease (CD) there is limited data on the long-term consequences of treatment.Objective and hypotheses: We assessed recurrence, anterior pituitary function and psychiatric disorders in a group of paediatric CD patients treated in a single centre.Method: Retrospective review of 20 patients with CD, mean age 11.75 years (5.74–17.8), managed in our centre between 1986 and...

Background: Cushing’s syndrome (CS) in children remains a challenge to diagnose and exclude. Published diagnostic guidelines for CS are heavily based upon adult data. The use of 24-h urinary free cortisol (UFC) measurements in the diagnosis of adult CS may have limited use. There is little data on the utility of 24-h UFC in children.Objective and hypotheses: We hypothesised that 24-h UFC is a robust and reliable screening test in children. The study...

Background: Adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) develop an adverse metabolic and cardiovascular risk profile. Both over- and undertreatment with glucocorticoids are associated with these adverse metabolic effects. There is limited data available of changes in cardiovascular parameters during lifetime.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate unfavorable changes in cardiovascu...

Carney complex 1 (CNC, OMIM# 160980) is an autosomal-dominantly inherited complex tumor predisposition syndrome associated with skin pigment abnormalities and neoplasms of heart, endocrine glands and other organs. CNC is caused by heterozygous constitutional loss-of-function variants in the PRKAR1A-gene. PRKAR1A codes for the cAMP-dependent protein kinase type I-alpha regulatory subunit, an enzyme that represents an integral part of protein kinase A (PKA) tha...

Background: Pubertal growth and adult height are important to many transgender adolescents undergoing medical transition. However, few studies are available on the impact of puberty suppression (PS) with GnRH analogues (GnRHa) and hormonal therapy (HT) with testosterone on growth. In this longitudinal cohort study, we investigated the effect of PS and HT on growth and adult height in transgender boys.Methods: A total of ...

Background: Measurement of salivary glucocorticoids is an accepted method for testing adrenal function and is gaining popularity as it offers a non-invasive collection technique, enabling sampling in the community or home environment, allowing tailored capture of steroid circadian rhythm and improved patient experience. However, there is little data on stability during home collection and sampling methods in young children. Current salivary collection techniqu...

Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS) is a rare congenital disease, which is caused by SBDS gene mutations. The main characteristics of SDS are pancreatic exocrine deficiency, hematological dysfunction, and skeletal growth failure. Emerging data from case reports and patient registries suggest, that SDS could also be associated with an increased risk for diabetes mellitus. Additionally, a small number of case reports in the literature describe a susceptibility to hypoglycaemia as a...