ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Of any pituitary dysfunction following brain injury, growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) is the most prevalent. The cut-point for defining GHD has been placed at 7 ng/mL representing optimum test performance. We hypothesised this cut-off may be set too low for genetically taller children with acquired brain injury, notably brain tumours, who demonstrate severe growth failure but repeatedly fail to meet diagnostic thresholds for GH replacement until several centi...

Backround: Menstrual disorders are common among the adolescent girls. We examined the initial investigations performed in adolescents, presenting with frequent, heavy or painful periods. Although, usually abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in adolescent women is attributable to immaturity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, underlying conditions such as coagulation disorders and anemia should always kept in mind. However, neither the laboratory nor the ultrasound investig...

Background: The disturbance of the GH-IGF-axis in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) with low circulating IGF-I, GH hypersecretion, and hyperinsulinemia, which may be associated with high tissue IGF-I, have implications on long-term vascular complications.Objective and hypotheses: To establish disease, sex and age related serum IGF-I reference values for children with T1DM and test the hypothesis that IGF-I SDS is lower in T1DM than in healthy controls and negativel...

Background: The post-authorization registry, EU-IGFD, was initiated in Dec-2008 to collect data in children with growth failure receiving Increlex® (Mecasermin [rDNA Origin] Injection).Objective and hypotheses: To report patient characteristics, safety and effectiveness data in poor-responders (i.e. with change in year 1 Height SDS <0.3).Method: European, multicentre, open-label, observational study; eCRF data collection.<...

Background: Low birth weight and unfavourable intrauterine conditions are associated with long-term effects on life.Objective and hypotheses: In a longitudinal study, we followed genetically identical twins with intra-twin birth-weight (bw) differences due to twin–twin transfusion syndrome from birth until after puberty. We propose that differences in birth weight lead to differences in hormone levels with effects on personality and cognitive functi...

Background: The post-authorization registry, European Increlex® (Mecasermin (rDNA Origin) injection) growth forum database (EU-IGFD) was initiated in Dec 2008 to collect data on children with growth failure treated with Increlex®.Objective: To report 4-year safety and effectiveness data.Methods: Multicenter, open-label observational study, eCRF data collection.Results: As of 30...

Background: The effect of bisphosphonates in patients with severe osteopenia of prematurity is unknown in terms of either fracture prevention or long-term safety. A 6-month-old male infant born at 24+2 weeks gestation was referred for consideration of bisphosphonate therapy in the management of severe osteopenia of prematurity. The neonatal course included chronic lung disease requiring four courses of corticosteroids. Despite optimal calcium, phosphate and vitamin D supplemen...

Background: Low birth weight and unfavourable intrauterine conditions are associated with long-term effects on life. The influence of intrauterine conditions on personality might be underestimated.Objective and hypotheses: In a longitudinal study we followed genetically identical twins with intra-twin birth-weight (bw) differences due to twin–twin transfusion syndrome (ttts) from birth until puberty.Method: 23 pairs of monozyg...

Background: Multiple anterior pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD) may present in the newborn period or in early infancy with hypoglycemia, prolonged cholestatic jaundice micropenis, undescended testes due to GH, ACTH, and LH deficiency. Central hypothyroidism is becoming manifest later, less severe than primary hypothyroidism, usually without intellectual impairment. A male patient was admitted to our clinic with severe short stature at the age of 2 years, born with normal len...

Background: The post-authorisation registry, European Increlex® Growth Forum Database (EU-IGFD), initiated in December 2008, collects data in children receiving Increlex (mecasermin (rDNA origin) injection) for growth failure, including Laron syndrome (LS) (severe primary IGF1 deficiency with confirmed GH-receptor mutation).Objective and hypotheses: Report safety and effectiveness data in children with LS.Method: Multicentre, ...