ESPE Abstracts

The ability to differentiate human embryonal stem cells (hESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) into virtually any cell type has enabled the creation of cellular models of diseases for which human cells are not readily accessible. Using these strategies, we have examined the molecular pathogenesis of monogenic forms of diabetes such as Wolfram’s syndrome and various MODYs using stem cell-derived insulin producing cells created from fibroblasts of patients with t...

Great controversy exists in regard to the timing and technical alternatives to perform feminizing genitoplasty in children. Opponents to an early approach argue that the reconstruction can be risky in terms of clitoral/vaginal function therefore surgery should be postponed until the patient herself can sign an informed consent and be aware of potential risks as well as confirms the desire to undergo the procedures. Such negative feelings in regard to early reconstruction are b...

Although craniopharyngiomas are of low-grade histological dignity and have good prognosis in terms of overall survival, survivors may suffer from devastating consequences caused by hypothalamic damage. Disease and/or treatment-related hypothalamic damage leads to disturbed hunger-satiety and thirst feelings, decreased energy expenditure, behavioral problems, disturbances of circadian rhythm, temperature dysregulation, and pituitary dysfunction. These patients are at great risk...

Background: Thyroid hormones are essential in the regulation of foetal and post-natal neurodevelopment. Despite early diagnosis and treatment of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) difficulties with language, hearing, memory and motor function persist for some children. However, comprehensive data about hearing, language and communication function in children with CH are not widely available.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate hearing, language and communic...

Background: Pubertal gynaecomastia is thought to be a clinical sign of an oestrogen-androgen imbalance, affecting up to 60% of boys. In most cases no underlying endocrinopathy can be identified. In boys, Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) is produced by immature Sertoli cells and circulating level decreases as testosterone increases during pubertal maturation. In a previous cross sectional study we found significant lower levels of AMH in boys with pubertal gynaecomastia (Mieri...

Aim: To determine the sensitivity, specificity of basal LH measurement compared to the GnRH test in patients with Central precocious puberty (CPP) and determine the cut off point for basal LH to diagnose CPP.Methods: 680 female patients were referred for presumptive diagnosis of central precocious puberty in the city of Bogota. All patients went through a GnRH test, using a Roche immunoassay for Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (...

Background: Pathogenic IGFI gene mutations causing childhood growth failure are rare. Only 5 autosomal recessive mutations, one IGFI copy number variant and 2 heterozygous frameshift mutations are reported. Heterozygous missense IGFI mutations have not previously been described.Objectives: To identify and functionally characterise a novel missense IGFI variant in a patient with postnat...

Background: AHDS is a devastating disease caused by defects in the thyroid hormone (TH) transporter MCT8. Endocrine expression is heralded by systemic hyperthyroidism with elevated serum T3, mildly increased TSH and decreased T4. However, the brain is hypothyroid, causing severe psychomotor retardation. Therapeutic attempts with PTU+levothyroxine or the T3-analogue DITPA could normalize TH derangements but without any neurological improvement. ...

Importance: Current practice of doubling or trebling the basal glucocorticoid (GC) replacement dose during acute illnesses in children and young people (CYP) with GC deficiency is extrapolated from research in adults and not based on robust evidence. Endogenous cortisol levels during acute illnesses in CYP without GC deficiency can provide insight for optimal GC stress dosing for CYP with GC deficiency.Objective: To summ...

Background: The majority of drug developments in type 1 diabetes (T1D) are aimed at preventing decline of beta cell function (BCF), as this has been associated with better glycaemic control and fewer long-term complications. Traditionally, BCF is evaluated by the C-peptide response to the labour-intensive mixed-meal-tolerance-test (MMTT), but there’s a need for a more practical alternative. We developed a new method to measure C-peptide in ‘dried blood spots’ (D...