ESPE Abstracts

Zinc (Zn) is a crucial trace mineral that regulates the expression and activation of biological molecules such as transcription factors, enzymes, adapters, channels, and growth factors, along with their receptors. Bioinformatics analysis of the human genome discloses that Zn may bind ~ 10% of all of the proteins found in the human organism. This remarkable finding highlights the physiological significance of Zn in molecules involved in cellular processes and thereby i...

Introduction: Vitamin D activity is controlled by its receptor (VDR). Increased risk of obesity and metabolic disturbances among certain VDR alleles has been proven. This study was conducted to assess the association between Cdx2 (rs11568820) polymorphism of VDR gene (genotypes: AG, GG) and genetic susceptibility to components of the lipid profile in survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated during childhood.<stron...

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency in children is still a global health problem. Measuring free 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations could provide a better estimate of the vitamin D status than total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels.Objective: To assess the relationship between measured free vitamin D (m-f25(OH)D) and calculated free 25(OH)D (c-f25(OH)D), total 25(OH)D, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and other markers of phosphocalcic metabolism. Es...

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 2 plays a fundamental role in prenatal growth and development. The IGF2 gene is imprinted, with the paternally inherited copy being active and the maternal copy being silenced in most tissues. During development, the expression of IGF2 is sexually dimorphic in some tissues and this is thought to be involved in the development of some sexually dimorphic features. For example, IGF2 expression is reported to be higher in the male brain co...

Introduction: Childhood prolactinomas often occur as aggressive macro (1–4 cm) or giant (>4 cm) tumours, with little consensus regarding timing of optimal therapies.Aim: To highlight the phenotype and treatment outcome of childhood macroprolactinomas.Subjects and methods: Case-note review of 10 (five male) children (<18 years) (presenting to our centre between 2009 and 2017 with hyperprolactinaemia due to macro/giant-p...

Pituitary adenomas are usually benign tumours arising from the hormone-secreting cells of the anterior pituitary gland. These adenomas can result in excess hormone secretion and the development of characteristic syndromes, such as Cushing’s disease, acromegaly and hyperprolactinaemia, and/or mass effects on surrounding vital structures causing for example visual disturbances and pituitary hormone deficiencies. In children and young people under 19 years (CYP), the managem...

Background: Nonsurgical development of nasal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks may occur in the setting of pituitary adenomas, especially following a favorable response of invasive prolactinomas to initiation of Dopamine Agonist (DA) therapy, but this has not previously described in children.Case description: A girl of Srilankan origin, aged 13.8 years, whose parents spoke no English, presented with headaches and secondary amenorrhea. Pituitary MRI reveale...

Background: The TRH receptor (TRHR) is a G-protein coupled receptor activated by hypothalamic TRH. In thyrotropes, TRH-TRHR signalling controls synthesis, secretion and bioactivity of TSH. Human TRHR defects are extremely rare, and only three cases are known with central hypothyroidism and short stature as variable presenting feature.Objective and hypotheses: Phenotypical characterization of a family with suspected central hypothyroidism and inv...

Background: Oligo-ovulatory androgen excess in women (polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by NIH definition) is a major cause of subfertility and relates to hepatic steatosis, independently of obesity.Objective: To test whether early treatment of PCOS affects subsequent ovulation rate.Method: Adolescent girls with hyperinsulinemic androgen excess – a subgroup of PCOS – (mean age 16 year; BMI 23.7 kg/m2) randomly r...

Background: Fetal growth is partly regulated by epigenetic factors, such as DNA methylation. Altered methylation status in placental genes relates to gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and prematurity. However, the epigenetic mechanisms underlying fetal growth restraint in uncomplicated pregnancies remain unknown.Objective and hypotheses: We aimed at identifying new candidate genes related to fetal growth, by assessing DNA methylation profiling in placen...