ESPE Abstracts

COVID-19 is a worldwide pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, to which adults are usually more susceptible than children. Growth hormone (GH) levels differ between children and adults and decrease with age. There is bidirectional crosstalk between the GH/insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) pathway and the immune system that plays a significant role in SARS-CoV-2 infection. We evaluated the association between somatotropin treatment (GH replacement therapy) and the risk for SARS-CoV-...

Background: The process of sexual differentiation is critical for reproduction in nearly all metazoan. Defects in any of the genes involved in either testicular or ovarian development can result in disorders of sex development (DSD). CBX2/M33 is a chromatin modifier that plays an important role in sexual development and its disorders, highlighted by the fact that M33-deficient mice have male-to-female sex reversal and loss-of-function of CBX2 causes 46, XY DSD...

Background: The process of sexual differentiation is critical for reproduction in nearly all metazoan. Defects in any of the genes involved in either testicular or ovarian development can result in disorders of sex development (DSD). CBX2/M33 is a chromatin modifier that plays an important role in sexual development and its disorders, highlighted by the fact that M33-deficient mice have male-to-female sex reversal and loss-of-function of CBX2 causes 46, XY DSD in humans. Human...

Background: Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) has a relative hypoinsulinemia and a lower insulin resistance than non-PWS subjects. Mostly on the basis of such higher insulin sensitivity, PWS subjects have been hypothesized to be at lower risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Objective and hypotheses: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed the presence and the severity of NAFLD in a group of PWS children compared to matched pairs.<p cla...

Background: A variable prevalence of scoliosis has been reported in Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS). Clinical detection can be challenging. The role of GH therapy (GHT) in the onset and progression of scoliosis remains controversial as does the modality of screening.Objective and hypotheses: To define the prevalence of scoliosis in our PWS patients and analyse the role of age, gender, genotype, BMI, and GHT on its onset and severity.<p class="abstex...

Background: Distal chromosome 16 duplication syndrome, also known as 16q partial trisomy, is a very rare genetic disorder. Smaller chromosomal copy number variants (CNVs) within the 16q region create partial trisomies, which occur less frequently than full trisomy 16q. Trisomy 16q is generally associated with a multisystemic phenotype including intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), brain and cardiac defects, intellectual disability and an increased risk of b...

Background: Recent studies suggest that osteocalcin (OC) promotes glucose and lipid metabolism via ACAM, integrin αVβ3, GLUT1 and GLUT8 expression, directly affecting adipocytes. OC represents a link between bone and glucose metabolism; it stimulates insulin and stimulates pancreatic β-cells proliferation through Gprc6a receptor. Low levels of OC were observed in adult patients with Type 2 DM suggesting an association with glucose into...

Three patients from two unrelated families in Malta; one consanguineous (siblings: Patient 1, male and Patient 2, female) and one non-consanguineous (Patient 3, male), manifested hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with delayed puberty, intellectual disability, scoliosis, and ataxia with cerebellar hypoplasia on MRI. GnRH tests revealed low peak LH and FSH concentrations in the patients: Patient 1; LH 2.3 IU/L, FSH 4.4 IU/L (14.3y), Patient 2; LH 3.6 IU/L, FSH 6.4 IU/L (12.5y), Pati...

Introduction: Complications are frequently reported post hypospadias repair and there is a need to understand the factors that influence their occurrence.Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the occurrence of complications in boys with hypospadias that are in the I-DSD Registry.Methods: Data from boys born with hypospadias between 2010-2020 were obtained from the I-DSD regist...

Background: Low bone mineral density (BMD) has been found in up to 50% of adolescents and adults with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). High fracture risk has been described in adult PWS patients. However, the mechanism/s of low BMD in PWS have not been clarified. These patients also display high BMI-SDS that prompted us to evaluate the levels of LIGHTTNFSF14, a cytokine involved in pathological bone remodeling and obesity.Objecti...