ESPE Abstracts

Background: Growth retardation is seen in about 30% of children with chronic renal failure (CRF). Under-nutrition, anaemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism, acidosis, corticosteroid therapy and abnormalities in the GH/insulin like growth factor system have been implicated. Recombinant GH (rGH) therapy is recommended in children showing failure to maintain a normal height velocity despite optimized primary treatments.Objective and hypotheses: It has been de...

Background: The Adrenocortical Neoplasm (ACN) is a rare condition in childhood (0,3 cases/1000000). In paediatric age, ACN at stage 1 is treated by complete adrenalectomy, while at stages 2 and 3 surgery is followed by adjuvant treatment with Mitotane (M). Chemotherapy is required in metastatic cases (stage 4).Objective and hypotheses: M is an adrenal cytotoxic agent which has both adrenolytic action on ACN cells and inhibition on steroid hormone synthes...

Background: Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RSTS) is a rare genetic syndrome characterized by postnatal growth retardation, intellectual disability, microcephaly, peculiar facial features, broad thumbs and big toes and other organs malformations. There are two forms: RSTS type 1 characterized by CREBBP gene mutations (16p13.3); RSTS type 2 dues to mutations/ deletions in EP300 gene (22q13.2). The type 2 is associated with mild phenotype with possible absence of the typical diagnost...

Background: A reduced GH response to different stimulation tests have been documented in both children and adults with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS), independently from obesity. Previous reports suggested the hypothesis of an age dependent derangement of the hypothalamus–pituitary axis occurring in PWS subjects.Objective and hypotheses: In this longitudinal study we re-evaluated the GH responsiveness to a combined test after long-term GH therapy ...

Background: Klinefelter syndrome is the most common sex chromosome disorder (prevalence: 1/600 newborn males), characterized by at least one extra X chromosome. If the diagnosis is not made prenatally, the disorder can remain unknown until pubertal or adult age. Kabuki syndrome, instead, is a rare, dysmorphic syndrome (1:32 000 newborn) characterized by distinctive facial features, multiple anomalies, and mental retardation. About 50–80% of cases are due to de novo</e...

Background: Pituicytoma is a very low-grade glioma that originate in the neurohypophisis and infundibulum.Objective and hypotheses: Describe diagnosis and treatment of associated pituicytoma and ACTH-secreting adenoma in a 6-year-old girl.Method: Case report and literature review.Results: We report the case of a 6-year-old presented with growth failure and associated weight gain, premature pubarche, and hyper...

Background: Infants born small (SGA) and large (LGA) for gestational age have been identified at increased risk of perinatal morbidity and later cardio-metabolic alterations. Nevertheless, the progression over time in incidence of SGA and LGA births is yet to be determined.Objective and hypotheses: To investigate temporal trends in SGA and LGA infants compared to those born appropriate (AGA), and to identify factors potentially associated over a 20-year ...

Background: AAAS is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by adrenal insufficiency, alacrimia, achalasia and neurological symptoms. The disease-causing AAAS gene encodes for the ALADIN nuclear pore protein.Case presentation: Case 1: A girl (born to unrelated parents) presented at age 3.9 years with fatigue and hyperpigmented skin. Clinical examination was normal, clumsy gait was noted. Endocrine studies confirmed adrenal insufficiency (F=9 mg/ml,...

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...

Objective and hypotheses: A retrospective review of bone morbidity in a contemporary cohort of boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) managed in a Scottish tertiary neuromuscular centre.Method: Clinical details and results of bone surveillance were obtained in 47 boys, aged 9 years (2–16). DXA bone mineral content (BMC) at total body (TB) and lumbar spine (LS) were adjusted for bone area. Fractures were classified based on radiological confirma...