[Blood pressure variability in 24 hours in obese and non-obese adolescents with breast development 4 and 5 of Tanner's criteria]. / Variabilidad de la presión arterial en 24 horas en adolescentes obesas y no-obesas con desarrollo mamario 4 y 5 de los criterios de Tanner.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the blood pressure variability during 24 h by using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in a group of obese and non-obese female adolescents with breast development status 4 and 5 of Tanner´s criteria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Cardiovascular Research Institute, Mexico. All subjects underwent 24 h non-invasive ABPM recording device. Pubertal status was determined by breast development. MEASUREMENTS: office systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR). Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences, arm circumference, waist to hip ratio (W/H), and skinfold thickness measurements: triceps, subscapular, abdominal and supraspinal. RESULTS: Fifty-nine adolescents 13-16 years old; 29 obese (BMI 31.2±4.0), and 30 non- obese (BMI 21.2±2.2). Obese vs. non-obese: Office SBP 116.9 vs. 105.9±9.3 mmHg (p<0.001); ABPM in 24 h: SBP 113.8±6.3 vs. 107.6±5.7 mmHg (p<0.001); diurnal SBP 117.3 mmHg vs. 111.2 mmHg (p<0.001); nocturnal SBP 105.5±8 vs. 99.4 mmHg; absolute variability in 24 h DBP 10.0±1.8 vs. 8.7±1.5 (p<0.003); coefficient of variation 24 h DBP 17.3±3 vs. 15.4±2.6% (p<0.05); systolic non-dipper 16 (55.2%) vs. 9 (30%) (p<0.05); pulse pressure 24 h 49.3±8 vs. 43.5±9 mmHg (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Obese adolescents are presenting changes in BP variability during 24-h in comparison with nonobese adolescents; it also includes higher pulse pressure. Thus, these can be early indicators for the development of hypertension or other cardiovascular diseases in the adult life.

[Treatment with LHRH analogues in girls with precocious puberty does not improve final height. Longitudinal study compared with a control group]. / El tratamiento con análogos de la LHRH en la pubertad avanzada de la niña no modifica la talla final. Estudio longitudinal frente a un grupo control.

BACKGROUND: We analysed the effectiveness of therapy with LHRH analogues in girls with a puberty onset at age 8 years. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We performed a non-randomised clinical study of 32 girls with advanced puberty. These included 16 treated with triptorelin LHRH analogue(3.75 mg/month during 1 year) and 16 control subjects. We carried out anthropometric measurements and determined the pubertal height growth (gain in height from the puberty onset up to the final height) and the pubertal duration (time in years from the puberty onset up to the age at which final height is attained). RESULTS: Treatment with LHRH analogue delayed the menarche age (11.5 [1.46]vs 10.37 [0.67] years of age; p = 0.03), led to an involution in secondary sexual characteristics and a temporary decrease ingrowth rate, and delayed skeletal maturation. However, pubertal duration, pubertal height growth and final height were all similar in both groups. In addition, no significant differences in body fat mass were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with LHRH analogues in advanced puberty modifies pubertal development, without modifying pubertal duration or pubertal height growth. Furthermore, this treatment does not improve final height.

[Testosterone treatment of delayed puberty: a longitudinal study in relation to a control group]. / Tratamiento con testosterona en la pubertad diferida: estudio longitudinal en relación a un grupo control.

OBJECTIVE: Delayed puberty is a very common clinical situation that affects a great number of adolescents. We analyzed the effects that testosterone therapy produces in this situation, including the start of puberty and, therefore, lessening the psychological effects that this delay causes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a longitudinal study, in which we followed the growth and maturation of 32 boys from the age of 14 to 19 years. The sample was divided into a control group (n = 17) and a treatment group (n = 15). The treatment group received 50 mg/month of testosterone enantate depot during 6 months. None of the subjects, neither in the control group nor in the treatment group, had started puberty or if so, they had started it in an insufficient way for their age. RESULTS: The boys treated with testosterone developed a greater growth velocity compared to the control group during the first year of observation (9.07 +/- 1.11 cm/year vs 6.9 +/- 1.76, respectively, p < 0.0001). They had a higher increment in the muscular area of the arm (p < 0.005) and pubertal stage G changes occurred more quickly. On the other hand, the growth of the testicular volume was similar in both groups. At 19 years of age, no significant difference between the groups was observed in any of the clinical parameters studied. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment wit testosterone at the dose used promotes a significant response that leads to the start of puberty, but without stopping the maturation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis that is produced in normal puberty, allowing a normal testicular evolution. The treatment does not show any long-term effects. It is, therefore, an effective treatment of delayed puberty.