This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Pasquino, A. M. Articles by Di Nardo, R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Pasquino, A. M. Articles by Di Nardo, R. Related Collections Neuroendocrinology and Pituitary Pediatric Endocrinology Calcium and Bone Metabolism Female Endocrinology

Long-Term Observation of 87 Girls with Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty Treated with Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogs: Impact on Adult Height, Body Mass Index, Bone Mineral Content, and Reproductive Function

Department of Pediatrics, "Sapienza" University, 00161 Rome, Italy

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Anna Maria Pasquino, M.D., Pediatric Department, "Sapienza" University, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy. E-mail: annamaria.pasquino{at}virgilio.it.

Objective: We assessed in a retrospective unicenter study the impact of treatment with GnRH analogs (GnRHa) on adult height (AH), body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD), and reproductive function in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP).

Patients: Eighty-seven ICPP patients were treated with GnRHa for 4.2 ± 1.6 yr (range 3–7.9) and observed for 9.9 ± 2.0 yr (range 4–10.6 yr) after discontinuation of treatment; to estimate the efficacy better, 32 comparable ICPP untreated girls were analyzed.

Results: AH was 159.8 ± 5.3 cm, significantly higher than pretreatment predicted AH (PAH) either for accelerated or for average tables of Bayley and Pinneau. The gain in centimeters between pretreatment PAH and AH was 5.1 ± 4.5 and 9.5 ± 4.6 cm, respectively. Hormonal values and ovarian and uterine dimensions, reduced during treatment, increased to normal after 1 yr without therapy. Age of menarche was 13.6 ± 1.1 yr with an interval of 0.9 ± 0.4 yr after therapy. Menstrual pattern was normal. Six girls became pregnant and delivered normal offspring. BMI SD score for chronological age increased, but not significantly, before, during, and after therapy. BMD at discontinuation of treatment was significantly lower and increased to control values after gonadal activity resumption.

Conclusions: GnRHa treatment in ICPP is safe for the reproductive system, BMD, and BMI and helpful in reaching AH close to target height; however, the variability of individual responses suggests that one choose more parameters than increment in height, especially in girls with pubertal onset over 8 yr of age.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J.-C. Carel, E. A. Eugster, A. Rogol, L. Ghizzoni, M. R. Palmert, and on behalf of the members of the ESPE-LWPES GnRH An Consensus Statement on the Use of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogs in Children Pediatrics, April 1, 2009; 123(4): e752 - e762. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D Mul and I A Hughes The use of GnRH agonists in precocious puberty Eur. J. Endocrinol., December 1, 2008; 159(suppl_1): S3 - S8. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]