ESPE Abstracts

Neonatal Diabetes mellitus (NDM) is a rare genetic disease. In this report, we presented a case of NDM due to mutation in GCK gene. A male baby born to a non-consanguineous parent at 42 weeks of gestation with a birth weight of 3.2 kg. The mother was diagnosed with gestational diabetes; no special treatment was given. The first episode of hyperglycemia was registered at the age of 13 days at hospitalization due to bronchitis /blood glucose -6.2⁓7.9 mmol/l. Due to mild h...

Background: Achondroplasia (ACH), caused by a pathogenic variant in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene (FGFR3), is characterized by severe growth failure and may be associated with multisystemic complications. The clinical phenotype is variable and relates to deformity of rhizomelic shortened legs, and myelon compression at cranial base and spine. Recent guidelines are published for diagnostic workflow, neurosurgical, orthopaedic and otorhinolaryngol...

Background: Disorders related to an impairment in parathyroid hormone (PTH) signaling pathway are historically classified under the term pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP), that now encompasses rare, related but highly heterogeneous diseases with demonstrated (epi)genetic causes. The actual classification is based on the presence or absence of specific clinical and biochemical signs together with an in vivo response to exogenous PTH and an in vitro assay of Gs&#9...

Background: Achondroplasia (Ach) is a rare growth disorder caused by a point mutation in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene that results in dysproportionate extreme short stature and can lead to a wide range of multisystemic complications throughout the individual's life with reduced quality of life. In the past, orthopaedic and neurosurgical therapies have been developed to partially improve mobility, reduce pain and prevent neurological disabi...

Gender dysphoria indicates a psychological distress due to any incongruence between biological sex and gender identity, while transgender identity refers to an individual, whose gender identity is the opposite of the biological sex. The number of gender dysphoric youth seeking hormonal care seems to rise worldwide. Therefore, numerous bioethical and medical controversies are raising about possible side effects of hormonal therapies, including interference with brain developmen...

Background: The peptide hormone adrenocorticotropin (ACTH or Corticotropin) is a major component of the stress response system in the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. Under stress, it is secreted from the anterior pituitary and stimulates cortisol production from the adrenal cortex. Changes in ACTH production or action are associated with multiple disease conditions. In clinical situations like Cushing's disease, ectopic ACTH syndrome and congeni...

Background: Virilization at puberty in girls remains a challenge. Several differential diagnoses must be considered including disorders of sex development (DSD) and tumors.Case Report: We report an 11.5-year-old girl who was referred to our center for progressive cliteromegaly since 6 months. Past medical history was remarkable for prematurity of 36 weeks gestation and for mild ongoing psychomotor delay. At presentation ...

Background: At present, treatment of „classic" congenital adrenal hyperplasia (21-hydroxylase-deficiency, 21OHD) consists of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement. However, often androgen excess and its negative metabolic impact are difficult to control without accepting glucocorticoid overtreatment, especially in adolescence. In healthy subjects oral contraceptives (containing ethinylestradiol) increase cortisol binding capacity and free c...

Background: The adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is a 39 amino acid polypeptide secreted by the anterior pituitary and regulates cortisol secretion from the adrenal cortex. Cortisol has negative feedback and regulates the synthesis and secretion of the ACTH. Excess ACTH is associated with a wide range of diseases including congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Classic CAH due to the 21-hydroxylase (CYP21A2) deficiency causes a reduction or loss of cortisol synthesis. Here th...

Introduction: Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic condition associated with feeding difficulties, hypotonia, developmental delay in infancy; hyperphagia leading to extreme obesity, growth failure and behavioral problems in childhood. Coeliac disease (CD), is an autoimmune disease characterized by gluten intolerance and a variety of symptoms most commonly diarrhea or constipation and failure to thrive. In PWS the challenge is to optimize growth while avoiding obesi...