ESPE Abstracts

Objectives: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex multisystem disorder due to loss of expression of paternally derived genes in the PWS critical region on chromosome 15q11-q13. The majority of the cases are due to the deletion of this region (del15), while 20–30% are caused by a maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 15 (UPD15). The clinical picture is characterized by neonatal hypotonia and feeding difficulties in early infancy, early development of hyperphagia wit...

Background: Patients born small for gestational age (SGA) with additional syndromic features to short stature are likely to present with genetic causes.Aim: To perform a clinical and genetic-molecular investigation of a group of syndromic SGA patients without catch-up growth.Methods: We selected 118 patients born SGA [birth weight and/or length standard deviation score (SDS) ≤−2 for gestational age] without catch-up gro...

Background: Familial Hypocalciuric Hypercalcemia (FHH) type 1 is a benign condition of hypercalcemia with autosomal dominant inheritance caused by pathogenic variants in the calcium-sensing receptor gene (CASR). CaSR plays a crucial role in the regulation of calcium balance. Inactivating mutations in CASR result in altered calcium-sensing and inappropriate parathyroid hormone (PTH) release concerning the calcium concentration. Dysplasia Epiph...

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy syndrome (APECED, OMIM240300) is a rare monogenic disease due to biallelic mutations in the Autoimmune Regulator (AIRE) gene. This encodes for a thymus-enriched transcription factor responsible for central immune tolerance. Classic diagnostic criteria are the presence of two of main symptoms of chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC), hypoparathyroidism (HP) and Addison’s disease (AD). Non-endocrine autoimmun...

Background: The initiation of puberty is dependent upon an augmentation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion from the hypothalamus. Development of the GnRH neuroendocrine network in embryonic life depends on coordinated migration of neurons from the vomeronasal organ in the nose to the forebrain. We have previously demonstrated that dysregulation in GnRH neuronal migration leads to delayed pubertal onset. Late puberty affects up to 2% of the ...

Background: The diagnosis of GH deficiency (GHD) in children and adolescents is classically established when GH concentrations fail to reach an arbitrary cut-off level (usually 7–10 μg/l) after at least two provocative tests (PT).Objective and hypotheses: Aim of the study was to define optimal GH cut-offs to different PT in children and adolescent with short stature.Method: This was a retrospective study in 437 subjects w...

Background: Over the years special screening procedures for preterm and twin babies (re-screening at 2–4 weeks of life) have been adopted by many screening laboratories worldwide. However, no extensive studies have been performed to verify how many co-twins with negative test at first screening (3–5 days) become positive at re-screening, and the utility of a long-term follow-up also in co-twin with negative test at screening and re-screening.Ob...

Background: Prolonged severe hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is a rare cause of pituitary hyperplasia (PH) in children. Loss of thyroxine negative feedback causes a TRH-dependent hyperplasia of pituitary thyrotroph cells resulting in adenohypophysis enlargement. A transdifferentiation of pituitary somatotroph cells into thyrotroph cells could explain growth failure in those patients. We report a case series of patients with growth impairment diagnosed...

Introduction: X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare hereditary condition caused by mutation in the gene encoding the phosphate-regulating endopeptidase homolog, X-linked (PHEX). It is characterized by altered phosphate homeostasis with persistent hypophosphatemia and hyperphosphaturia resulting in deficient skeletal mineralization, rickets, bone deformity, growth failure, dental problems, joint pain and impairment.Case Prese...

Background: Disorders of sex development (DSD) are often due to disruption of the genetic programs that regulate gonad development. Some genes have been identified in these developmental pathways such as DAX-1, SOX-9, GATA-4 and others. The GATA-4 gene, located on chromosome 8p23.1, encodes GATA-binding protein 4 (GATA-4), a transcription factor that is essential for cardiac and gonadal development and sexual differentiation. Congenital heart disease (CHD) and...