ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an inherited auto-inflammatory disorder still extremely underdiagnosed in the Mediterranean area. The disease is secondary to a gain of function mutation of the MEFV gene, classically defined as “autosomal recessive”, with possible symptoms also in heterozygous patients. The mutation induces a hyperexpression of IL-1 beta and a chronic inflammation. Clinical manifestations are characterized by rec...

Objective: To evaluate the pancreatic reserve and metabolic control in our patient diagnosed of type 1 diabetes over the last 20 years.Method: Retrospective cohort study of all patients <15 years, diagnosed in our community between 01/01/1995 and 31/12/2014. Variables: gender, age at diabetes debut, age at study, c-peptide after stimulation with glucagon at debut and 1 month after, HbA1c at debut, 1 month, 1 year, 2 years, 5 and 10 years of debut. Co...

Background: Heterozygous alterations of SHOX and its regulatory region PAR1 are identified in approximately 70% of Léri-Weill dyschondrosteosis and 2–5% of idiopathic short stature cases. Identification of a SHOX mutation enables GH treatment to be offered to the patient.Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of seven patients with SHOX haploinsufficiency and their evolution.Method: Retrospective analysis of ...

Background: Polyuria and polydipsia must never be underestimated.Objective and hypotheses: A 7-year-old girl presented with polyuria, polydipsia and nocturia of 1 year duration, during which she underwent outpatient follow up with her general practitioner and urologist. No weight loss or other endocrine signs.Method: Polyuria was confirmed by water balance (120 ml/kg per 24 h), urinary osmolality (222 mmol/kg), plasma osmolality (2...

Background: The correct diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and the definition of growth response in the management of growth hormone (GH)-treated children is controversial.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate: i) short-term and long-term efficacy of GH treatment; ii) various criteria commonly used to define poor response to GH therapy and compare them in the same cohort of GHD patients.Method: Our study includes 94 child...

Background: Short stature may represent a significant psychosocial problem. The rationale for GH treatment has traditionally rested upon the clinical improvement in terms of growth and well-being. Great importance is also associated with the adherence to the therapy.Objective and hypotheses: We have investigated the benefits obtained by GH treatment, the factors that positively influence growth, the differences between ‘objective’ and ‘sub...

Background: GH therapy is being used worldwide to improve height outcome in children with GH deficiency (GHD), with minimal serious side effects. Early diagnosis and therapy initiation optimize growth outcomes.Objectives: To evaluate growth and safety during the first 4 years of GH treatment in 33 GHD children.Methods: We reviewed clinical data of 33 prepubertal children (23 boys and ten girls): 30 with isolated GH deficiency (IGHD...

Background: Synchronous, multiple central nervous system (CNS) tumors are usually rare in pediatric patients. Pilocytic astrocytomas are the major type of CNS tumors in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).Case presentation: A 6.5-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital for severe emaciation. Profound fat and muscle wasting were the only prominent clinical features. His growth rate was preserved despite his rapid dramatic weight loss (HT: 118 cm, P....

Background: While polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is implicated with insulin resistance and obesity, little is known about the abnormal energy imbalance contribution to the disease. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) represents the energy expenditure by a normal subject at rest, remote from eating, in a thermally neutral environment, reflecting the 50–70% of total daily metabolism. The relevant literature is limited with conflicting results- worth meta-analy...

Background: Electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure has been considered a potential environmental toxicant, which may influence endocrine and other functions, while population awareness remains limited. In an earlier study, we demonstrated that EMF alters the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in children using a 3G mobile telephone.Aim: To screen and compare the motives, knowledge and status of electromagnetic field expos...