ESPE Abstracts

Background: Currently, data on the diagnostic yield of targeted gene panels using next generation sequencing (NGS) in children with short stature of undefined aetiology (SSUA) are limited. EPIGROW (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT00710307) was a prospective European epidemio-genetic study in which a targeted NGS panel including 69 genes associated with short stature (e.g. primordial growth disorders and skeletal dysplasias) was performed in 263 patients and 263 controls. In these pat...

Adrenocortical tumours are a rare disease in the paediatric population, with a higher prevalence in children under 5 years. The aetiology is partially known; in some cases it is related to mutations in the tumour suppressor gene p53 (TP 53). The classical symptoms of the Cushing syndrome are not usually present in children, so we should suspect this disease in children and teenagers with obesity or with slow growth velocity.Methods: We report a case of a...

Introduction: Delayed or absent puberty is thought to be common in boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).Objective: To evaluate testicular development, function and puberty in DMD in a 12 months prospective longitudinal study.Methods: Thirty-four boys had assessment of puberty and testes volume by a single endocrinologist. Testes volumes were converted to Z-scores adjusted for bone age. Boys were divided into group A [Baselin...

Background: Main features of the autosomal dominant form of GH deficiency (IGHD II) include markedly reduced secretion of GH combined with low concentrations of IGF-I leading to short stature.Objective and hypotheses: We report on a girl referred for assessment of short stature (−4.6 SDS) at a chronological age of 7 yr 10 mo. The GH deficiency was confirmed by standard GH provocation tests, which revealed severely reduced GH and IGF-I concentration...

Background: The low-dose short Synacthen test is a popular diagnostic test of adrenal insufficiency in children. It is employed by 82% of UK paediatric endocrinologists. Although various dosing strategies exist, 1 μg is most commonly employed, however none of the low-dose forms are commercially available. A BSPED survey revealed 14 different methods for diluting 250 μg/ml ampoules.Objective and hypotheses: Do various dilution strategies result ...

Background: Cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1 gene) catalyses the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone in steroidogenic cells, the first step in the biosynthesis of all steroid hormones. SCC deficiency has been established as an autosomal recessive disorder caused by inactivating homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the CYP11A1 gene, with a wide phenotypic spectrum ranging from prematurity, complete underandrogenization and severe early-onset...

Background: HSD3B2 is a rare cause of autosomal recessive primary adrenal insufficiency, potentially associated with under virilisation of XY males and virilisation of XX females. We present a case of a male infant presenting at term with ambiguous genitalia (DSD) with underlying diagnosis confirmed biochemically and genetically with a novel mutation of HSD3beta2.Objective: Case report.Patients and methods: Baby was born as FTND wi...

Background: Prolactinomas are rare in the prepubertal and adolescent age group. Therapeutic approaches are guided by experience from treating adults. Few series have been reported.Objective: Retrospective analysis of presenting features, treatment and outcomes in young patients presenting to a Tertiary Endocrine Service (total referral population ~3.5 million) managed jointly between Paediatric and Adult Endocrine and Neurosurgical services.<p class=...

Background: Measuring testicular volume (TV) by orchidometer is a standard method of pubertal staging in boys. A paucity of evidence exists as to its inter and intra-user reliability and the impact of clinicians’ gender, training and experience on the accuracy of measurements.Objective and hypotheses: We engineered prosthetic models of different size testes to investigate the reliability of TV estimation.Method: The study was ...

Background: In Autoimmune Thyroid Disease (AITD) two types of TSH receptor antibodies (TSHR-Ab) may be distinguished: thyroid- stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) that promotes the production of thyroid hormones and thyroid- blocking immunoglobulin (TBI) inhibiting the activity of TSH what leads contrarily to hypothyroidism.Objective and hypotheses: The aim of this study was to compare mean TSI and TBI levels in large paediatric cohort with AITD and control...