ESPE Abstracts

Background: Heterozygous GHR gene variants were found in 5–8% of idiopathic short stature (ISS) children. Frequent polymorphisms within GHR coding regions, but not intronic SNPs, have been investigated in ISS.Objectives: To characterize GHR gene variants in ISS children, and to test their influence on height and the peripheral GH/IGF1/IGFBPs system.Methods: GHR gene (coding/intronic flanking...

Background: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, one of the most frequent autosome recessive disorders, is caused by defects in steroidogenic enzymes involved in the cortisol biosynthesis. Approximately 95% of cases are caused by a deficiency of the 21-hydroxylase enzyme. Its deficiency leads to androgen excess, consequently, to virilization and rapid somatic growth with accelerated skeletal maturation. Mutations in CYP21A2 are responsible for different forms of 21-hydroxylase defi...

Background: In vitro fertilisation (IVF) has been widely used during the last decades. Increased susceptibility to birth defects and a higher cardiometabolic risk in children born after IVF than naturally conceived (NC) children have been reported. Also, a higher incidence of hyperthyrotropinemia has been noted in children born after IVF with respect to NC children and has been attributed to an epigenetic modification of the TSH set-point.Object...

Due to the increase in prevalence of childhood obesity, more obese children are referred to the endocrinologist for the hypothalamus-hypophysis-adrenal axis assessment. The circadian rhythm (CR) of cortisol in saliva (SAF) may constitute a non-invasive, first line test to exclude hypercortisolism on obese children.Aim: To evaluate possible disturbances of CR of SAF in obese children with clinical signs of hypercortisolism.<p class="a...

Introduction: Somatropin has been the standard treatment for Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) since 1985. Nowadays, has been approved for the treatment of other diseases, as: Small for gestational age (SGA), Turner syndrome (TS) and Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS).Aims: Assess the efficacy of somatropin in children followed in a tertiary Hospital, at 12 and 24 months of treatment, and to compare the results based on the patie...

Introduction: Graves’ disease (GD), the main cause of hyperthyroidism in children, is caused by thyrotropin receptor stimulating autoantibodies (TRABs) that activate thyroid hormone synthesis, secretion and thyroid growth. Therapeutic options are anti-thyroid drugs (ATD), 131-I or thyroidectomy. This study reports the experience of a Tertiary Pediatric Endocrinology Unit.Methods: Review of GD patients diagnosed from January/2001 to October/2017. Res...

Background: Pediatric Cushings syndrome is a rare condition and its diagnosis is always a challenge to the clinicians. The hypercortisolism can be classified as ACTH-dependent (Cushings disease) and ACTH-independent. The latter group comprises several hereditary conditions. One of them is primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD) which occurs isolated or as part of Carney complex (CNC). It is known that adult patients with Cushings syndrome due PPNAD exhibited a...

Background: Secondary pseudohypoaldosteronism presents with hyponatremia and hyperkalemia due to a transient aldosterone resistance.Objective and hypotheses: We recommend a check of urea and electrolytes in all infants with urinary tract infection, dehydration and failure to thrive.Method: A 5 month old presented with a day’s history of poor feeding and two episodes of vomiting. He was afebrile with normal observations. His ur...

Introduction: Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of genetic diseases characterized by impaired cortisol synthesis. 95% of CAH cases result from mutation in the CYP21A2 gene encoding 21-hydroxilase. TNX-B gene partially overlaps CYP21A2 and encodes a matrix protein called Tenascin-X (TNX). Complete tenascin deficiency causes Enlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). A variant called CAH-X, has recently been described, resulting from CYP21...

Introduction: Central Precocious Puberty (CPP) results from the premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Is defined by the onset of secondary sexual characters before 8-years-old in girls and 9-years-old in boys. It’s associated with accelerated growth and advanced bone maturation and can lead to early epiphyseal fusion and reduced final height at adult age.Aims: To evaluate and compare the ...