ESPE Abstracts

The McCune–Albright syndrome can be a disease of striking complexity, the management of which can be challenging. However, an understanding of the physiologic consequences of the underlying molecular and developmental biology makes the evaluation and treatment of this disease relatively straightforward. MAS arises from activating mutations in the ubiquitously expressed cAMP-signaling protein, Gsα. The mutations occur very early in development, prior to gas...

Osteoclasts are bone-resorbing cells important in normal growth plate development and bone remodeling. The development of osteoclasts is potently driven by mononuclear RANK and osteogenic cell RANKL interaction. Denosumab is a monoclonal antibody drug that targets RANKL and inhibits osteoclastogenesis. It is a potent and effective treatment for pathologic processes that involve bone resorption, such as osteoporosis and bone metastases, conditions for which it is approved. Deno...

Objective: Central precocious puberty (CPP) is a common condition in pediatric endocrinology practice. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) treatment is safe, but the real effect on final height and the ideal timing for treatment remains controversial. The purpose of the authors was to evaluate a nationwide representative group of CPP Portuguese girls treated with GnRHa, assess the effectiveness of treatment and the growth outcome before and after 8...

Cystic Fibrosis (CF), is due to CF-transmembrane-conductance-regulator (CFTR) loss-of-function. Significant heterogeneity exists between patients, suggesting potential epigenetic regulation, and comorbidities develop with time. MiRNAs are non-coding RNAs that act as epigenetic regulators. Although many studies have focused on the role for miRNAs in regulating CFTR gene expression, little attention has been given to how CFTR influences their expression and how this affects grow...

Background and Aim: Multifaceted risk factors impair bone mass (BM) in childhood brain cancer survivors(CBCS). Aims of the study were to evaluate bone mass and it's determinant and fracture prevalence in CBCS 2(G+2), 5(G+5) or 7(G+7) years after off therapy (OT).Methods: Seventy-three(G+2), 87(G+5) and 66(G+7)CBCS were evaluated at 12,9±4,2, 14,9±4,4 and 16,6±4,4yrs, respectivel...

Introduction: X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare, inherited disease that affects approximately 1 in 20,000 individuals. XLH is a disorder of renal phosphate wasting caused by high circulating levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) that impairs normal phosphate reabsorption in the kidney and production of the active form of vitamin D. Children with XLH experience abnormal bone development, rickets, osteomalacia, impaired growth, dental abscesses, craniosynostosis ...

Background: Besides surgery, radioactive iodine therapy (RAI) is an effective and safe option to treat children with hyperthyroidism from Graves disease (GD) who cannot achieve euthyroidism with antithyroid drugs.Objective and hypotheses: To present the experience of a Portuguese paediatric unit with the use of RAI in children with GD.Method: The authors performed a review of 7 cases of Graves disease of age under 18 years treated ...

Background: The DNA-binding High Mobility Group Box-1 (HMGB1) is an intracellular gene regulator that can be secreted also in response to inflammatory mediators, including interleukins, binding subsequently to both RAGE and Toll-like receptors forming a self-reinforcing inflammatory circle. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a condition characterized by chronic inflammation. Elevated serum HMGB1 concentrations were described in serum of obese children and to be associated with the metabo...

Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (1DM) is a common chronic disease of childhood. Treatment targets the best metabolic control in order to prevent long-term complications.Objective: To evaluate metabolic control in children and adolescents with 1DM along the years. Methods: Retrospective study including 1DM children and adolescents with more than 2 years of disease. Data were collected at 2005 and at 2012: sex, age at diagnosis, therapy in the last ye...

Background: Currently, the diagnosis of GH deficiency (GHD) in infants and young children is based on the assessment of GH serum levels either during hypoglycaemia or after pharmacological stimulation tests. However, GH cut-off values have not been standardized and provocative tests may be unsafe in this age range.Objective and hypotheses: Brain MRI may replace GH measurements in diagnosing GHD in infancy and young childhood.Method...