Carla Bizzarri1, Gian Luigi Spadoni, Giorgia Bottaro, Giulia Montanari, Germana Giannone, Marco Cappa, Stefano Cianfarani. 1. Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit (C.B., M.C.), "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy; Dipartimento Pediatrico Universitario Ospedaliero (G.L.S., G.B., G.M., S.C.), "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital-Tor Vergata University, 00165 Rome, Italy; Department of Chemistry (G.G.), "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy; and Department of Women's and Children's Health (S.C.), Karolinska Institute, SE 17177 Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract
CONTEXT: Premature thelarche in early childhood may evolve into true precocious puberty. The individuation of cases progressing to precocious puberty is challenging. OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the parameters predictive for progression in girls younger than 3 years. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 450 girls referred for premature thelarche were initially evaluated, 353 were clinically monitored at 3-month intervals, and 97 underwent endocrine and imaging assessment. Central precocious puberty (CPP) was diagnosed in girls showing LH peak response to GnRH testing >5 mU/mL with tuber cinereum hamartoma at magnetic resonance imaging, or with normal magnetic resonance imaging but progression of puberty during follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We measured the progression to precocious puberty. RESULTS: Idiopathic premature thelarche (IPT) was diagnosed in 85 of the 97 girls who underwent extensive evaluation, CPP in nine girls, and peripheral precocious puberty in three girls. The uterus was >34 mm in six (7%) IPT girls and six (66.6%) CPP girls. Basal LH was >0.2 mU/mL in one (1.17%) IPT girl and eight (88.8%) CPP girls. LH peak was >5 mU/mL in 31 (36.4%) IPT girls and nine (100%) CPP girls. LH peak/FSH peak ratio was >1 in six (66.6%) CPP girls. CONCLUSIONS: None of the available tests alone allows identification of girls who will progress to precocious puberty. Elevated LH responses to GnRH are common but are not related to progression toward puberty. The combined measurement of basal LH and longitudinal diameter of the uterus represents a reliable screening approach to identify subjects who should undergo GnRH testing.
CONTEXT: Premature thelarche in early childhood may evolve into true precocious puberty. The individuation of cases progressing to precocious puberty is challenging. OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the parameters predictive for progression in girls younger than 3 years. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 450 girls referred for premature thelarche were initially evaluated, 353 were clinically monitored at 3-month intervals, and 97 underwent endocrine and imaging assessment. Central precocious puberty (CPP) was diagnosed in girls showing LH peak response to GnRH testing >5 mU/mL with tuber cinereum hamartoma at magnetic resonance imaging, or with normal magnetic resonance imaging but progression of puberty during follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We measured the progression to precocious puberty. RESULTS:Idiopathic premature thelarche (IPT) was diagnosed in 85 of the 97 girls who underwent extensive evaluation, CPP in nine girls, and peripheral precocious puberty in three girls. The uterus was >34 mm in six (7%) IPTgirls and six (66.6%) CPP girls. Basal LH was >0.2 mU/mL in one (1.17%) IPTgirl and eight (88.8%) CPP girls. LH peak was >5 mU/mL in 31 (36.4%) IPTgirls and nine (100%) CPP girls. LH peak/FSH peak ratio was >1 in six (66.6%) CPP girls. CONCLUSIONS: None of the available tests alone allows identification of girls who will progress to precocious puberty. Elevated LH responses to GnRH are common but are not related to progression toward puberty. The combined measurement of basal LH and longitudinal diameter of the uterus represents a reliable screening approach to identify subjects who should undergo GnRH testing.
Authors: Tero Varimo; Heta Huttunen; Päivi Johanna Miettinen; Laura Kariola; Johanna Hietamäki; Annika Tarkkanen; Matti Hero; Taneli Raivio Journal: Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) Date: 2017-08-23 Impact factor: 5.555