ESPE Abstracts

Objectives: The homozygous GHR pseudoexon (6ψ) mutation leads to aberrant splicing of the GHR gene with clinical and biochemical heterogeneity. We investigated whether the phenotypic variability could be explained by transcript heterogeneity i.e. ratio of abnormal (6ψ GHR) to normal (WT GHR) transcripts and/or the presence of concurrent defects in other short stature (SS) genes.Methods: 6&#968...

We report a term male with diazoxide-unresponsive congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) (spontaneous conception, non-consanguineous, no family history). The patient did not have macroglossia, exomphalos or lateralised overgrowth (cardinal Beckwith-Wiedemann spectrum (BWSp) features) (1). There was no polyhydramnios, macrosomia, facial naevus simplex, ear creases/pits, diastasis recti or nephromegaly/hepatomegaly (suggestive BWSp features) (1).A targeted massi...

Background: A mutation in EIF2S3 (NM_001415; Xp22.11) was previously associated with microcephaly and developmental delay in a single pedigree. EIF2S3 encodes the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit 3 (eIF2γ), the largest of three EIF2 subunits. EIF2 initiates protein synthesis by forming a ternary complex with GTP and initiator methionyl-tRNA which then binds to the 40S ribosomal subunit, enabling scanning of mRNA from the 5′ end to...

Introduction: There are few longitudinal male cohort studies with serial assessments of growth and puberty.Objective: To describe the design and implementation of a longitudinal cohort study of Russian boys evaluated annually for growth, development and puberty.Design/methods: We assembled a multi-disciplinary team of U.S. and Russian researchers to design and conduct a longitudinal boys’ cohort study in Chapaevsk, Russia with...

Background: Wolfram syndrome (WS) is a monogenic disorder associated with diabetes mellitus (DM), optic atrophy, diabetes insipidus (DI), neurological deterioration and deafness. Growth has been poorly characterised in case series.Objective and hypotheses: To determine growth and prevalence of endocrine disorders, qualify therapies and metabolic outcome for DM, and relationship of cranial MRI findings to clinical findings in children and young people (CY...

Background: We are not aware of other longitudinal cohort studies of boys with annual assessments of pubertal development and long term follow-up to adulthood to evaluate semen quality.Objective: To describe semen quality and investigate its predictors in a longitudinal cohort study of Russian boys followed from prepuberty until adulthood.Design and methods: From 2003 to 2005, 516 prepubertal 8–9-year-old boys were enrolled (8...

Background: We are not aware of other longitudinal cohort studies of boys with prepubertal assessment of exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and annual long term follow-up of growth and puberty to evaluate semen quality.Objective: To describe semen quality and explore associations of prepubertal serum concentrations of organochlorine compounds and pubertal measures with semen parameters in an ongoing longitudinal cohort study of Russian boy...

Background: Noonan Syndrome (NS) can overlap clinically and biochemically with growth hormone insensitivity [GHI; short stature (SS), low IGF-I and normal/elevated GH levels]. Mutations in multiple genes regulating RAS/MAPK pathway have been identified in NS including LZTR1 variants. Function of LZTR1 is poorly understood and its role in growth retardation is unknown.Objectives: To functionally characte...

Background: Sp7, also known as Osterix (Osx), is a zinc-finger transcription factor, essential for osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. While bone formation is absent in Osx knockout mice, human loss of function mutations lead to impaired bone formation and cause recessive osteogenesis imperfecta, type XII (OMIM 613849 ).Case: The 5-year-old son of non-consanguineous parents presented with multiple long bone fr...

Background: Congenital hypopituitarism (CH), involving deficiencies in one or more anterior pituitary hormones, is rarely observed in combination with severe joint contractures, termed arthrogryposis. Schaaf-Yang syndrome (SHFYNG), which has phenotypic overlap with Prader-Willi syndrome, may be associated with arthrogryposis. L1 syndrome, a group of X-linked disorders including hydrocephalus and spasticity of the lower limbs, may also present with generalized contractures in r...