Considerations on the improvement of height benefit in children with central precocious puberty / 中国当代儿科杂志

With the changes in various factors such as genetics and the environment, the incidence of childhood precocious puberty has been gradually increasing. Improving height is one of the key issues in the clinical management of precocious puberty. Currently, gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHa) remain the preferred treatment for precocious puberty, but their effect on height improvement is influenced by multiple factors, which may result in lower-than-expected height benefits. Combining recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy with GnRHa treatment is an alternative strategy to enhance the efficacy of GnRHa, but there is still no clear recommendation regarding the timing of their combination. Considering the current status of precocious puberty treatment, it is crucial to reevaluate the effects of GnRHa monotherapy and combination therapy with rhGH on height improvement. This article discusses strategies such as combination therapy indications to guide clinical medication and help children with precocious puberty achieve optimal height benefits.

Pubertad precoz relacionada con la pandemia por COVID-19. Encuesta a endocrinólogos pediátricos argentinos / Precocious puberty in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey among Argentine pediatric endocrinologists

Introducción. La pubertad se manifiesta inicialmente por la aparición de los caracteres sexuales secundarios, como consecuencia de cambios hormonales que progresivamente conducen a la madurez sexual completa. En Argentina y el mundo, la pandemia ocasionada por el coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 generó un confinamiento que pudo haber interferido en el inicio y tempo del desarrollo puberal. Objetivo. Describir la percepción de los endocrinólogos pediatras del país sobre las consultas por sospecha de pubertad precoz y/o pubertad de rápida progresión durante la pandemia. Materiales y métodos. Estudio descriptivo, observacional, transversal. Encuesta anónima a endocrinólogos pediatras pertenecientes a la Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría y/o a la Asociación de Endocrinología Pediátrica Argentina, en diciembre de 2021. Resultados. Respondieron la encuesta 83 de 144 endocrinólogos pediátricos (tasa de respuesta 58 %). Todos consideraron que aumentó la consulta por desarrollo precoz o temprano, ya sea en sus variantes telarca precoz (84 %), pubarca precoz (26 %) y/o pubertad precoz (95 %). El 99 % acuerda con que se ha dado en mayor medida en niñas. La totalidad de los encuestados también considera que aumentó el diagnóstico de pubertad precoz central. El 96,4 % considera que ha aumentado el número de pacientes tratados con análogos de GnRH. Conclusión. Nuestros resultados sobre la percepción de endocrinólogos pediatras coinciden con datos publicados en otras regiones sobre el aumento del diagnóstico de pubertad precoz durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Se reafirma la necesidad de generar registros nacionales de pubertad precoz central, difundir las evidencias para su detección y abordaje oportuno.

Introduction. Puberty is manifested initially by the onset of secondary sexual characteristics as a result of hormonal changes that progressively lead to complete sexual maturity. In Argentina and worldwide, the lockdown resulting from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic may have interfered in the onset and timing of pubertal development. Objective. To describe the perception of pediatric endocrinologists in Argentina regarding consultations for suspected precocious and/or rapidly progressive puberty during the pandemic. Materials and methods. Descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study. Anonymous survey among pediatric endocrinologists members of the Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría and/or the Asociación de Endocrinología Pediátrica Argentina administered in December 2021. Results. Out of 144 pediatric endocrinologists, 83 completed the survey (rate of response: 58%). All of them considered that consultation for precocious or early puberty increased, either in terms of early thelarche (84%), early pubarche (26%), and/or precocious puberty (95%). Ninety-nine percent agreed that this has occurred to a greater extent in girls. All survey respondents also consider that the diagnosis of central precocious puberty has increased. In total, 96.4% of respondents consider that the number of patients treated with GnRH analogs has increased. Conclusion. Our results about the perception of pediatric endocrinologists are consistent with data published in other regions on the increase in the diagnosis of precocious puberty during the COVID-19 pandemic. We underscore the need to develop national registries of central precocious puberty, and to disseminate the evidence for a timely detection and management

Pubertad precoz y pubertad rápidamente progresiva durante el confinamiento por la pandemia por COVID-19 / Rapidly progressive precocious puberty during the COVID-19 lockdown

Introducción. Durante la pandemia por COVID-19, observamos un aumento de consultas por pubertad precoz (PP). Nuestro objetivo fue determinar la frecuencia de PP y su progresión antes y durante la pandemia. Métodos. Estudio retrospectivo, observacional y analítico. Se evaluaron las historias clínicas de los pacientes que consultaron en Endocrinología Infantil entre abril de 2018 y marzo de 2021. Se analizaron las consultas por sospecha de PP durante la pandemia (período 3) y se compararon con 2 años previos (períodos 1 y 2). Se recolectaron datos clínicos y estudios complementarios de la evaluación inicial y su progresión. Resultados. Se analizaron 5151 consultas. Se observó un aumento de consultas por sospecha de PP durante el período 3 (21 % vs.10 % y 11 %, p <0,001). Los pacientes que consultaron por sospecha de PP durante el período 3 aumentaron 2,3 veces (80 vs. 29 y 31, p <0,001). El 95 % fueron niñas; esa población fue analizada. Se incluyeron 132 pacientes que fueron similares en edad, peso, talla, edad ósea y determinaciones hormonales en los 3 períodos. En el período 3, se observó un menor índice de masa corporal, mayor porcentaje de estadio mamario Tanner 3-4 y mayor longitud uterina. Se indicó tratamiento al diagnóstico en el 26 % de los casos. En el resto, se controló su evolución. Durante el seguimiento, se observó una evolución rápidamente progresiva con mayor frecuencia durante el período 3 (47 % vs. 8 % vs. 13 %; p: 0,02). Conclusiones. Evidenciamos un aumento de la PP y una evolución rápidamente progresiva en niñas durante la pandemia.

Introduction. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in consultations for precocious puberty (PP) was observed. Our objective was to determine the frequency of PP and its progression before and during the pandemic. Methods. Retrospective, observational, analytical study. The medical records of patients who consulted with the Department of Pediatric Endocrinology between April 2018 and March 2021 were assessed. Consultations for suspected PP during the pandemic (period 3) were analyzed and compared to the 2 previous years (periods 1 and 2). Clinical data and ancillary tests done in the initial assessment and PP progression information were collected. Results. Data from 5151 consultations were analyzed. An increase in consultations for suspected PP was observed during period 3 (21% versus 10% and 11%, p < 0.001). Patients who consulted for suspected PP during period 3 increased 2.3-fold (80 versus 29 and 31, p < 0.001). In total, 95% were female; this was the population analyzed. We included 132 patients with similar age, weight, height, bone age, and hormonal characteristics in the 3 periods. During period 3, a lower body mass index, a higher percentage of Tanner breast stage 3­4, and a greater uterine length were observed. Treatment was indicated upon diagnosis in 26% of the cases. In the rest, their evolution was monitored. During follow-up, a rapidly progressive course was observed more frequently in period 3 (47% versus 8% versus 13%, p: 0.02). Conclusions. We observed an increase in PP and a rapidly progressive evolution in girls during the pandemic.

Análisis de la incidencia de pubertad precoz central tratada con análogos de hormona liberadora de gonadotrofina. Impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 / Analysis of the incidence of central precocious puberty treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Introducción. Desde inicios de la pandemia por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), fue comunicado en varios países un incremento de las consultas de niñas con pubertad precoz central idiopática (PPCI), sin que contáramos con datos argentinos. Este aumento estaría vinculado con los cambios en el estilo de vida y los niveles de estrés resultantes del aislamiento que afectó particularmente a la población infantil. Objetivos. 1) Describir la evolución de la incidencia de PPCI con requerimiento de inhibición del eje hipotálamo-hipófiso-gonadal (EHHG) en niñas entre 2010 y 2021 en una cohorte del Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires. 2) Comparar las características de las niñas, con dicho diagnóstico realizado durante la pandemia, con las de un grupo control. Métodos. Serie de tiempo interrumpida y estudio de casos y controles. Resultados. La incidencia anual fue estable entre 2010 y 2017. Desde 2017 hubo un ascenso anual que promedió el 59,9 % (IC95 % 18,6-115,5) y pareciera haberse acelerado durante la pandemia. Constatamos asociación entre haber desarrollado PPCI y haber requerido tratamiento inhibitorio entre el 01 de junio de 2020 y el 31 de mayo de 2021, y dos variables: edad de menarca materna (OR 0,46; IC95 % 0,28-0,77) y antecedente familiar de PPCI (OR 4,42; IC95 % 1,16-16,86). Conclusión. Evidenciamos desde 2017 un aumento significativo en la incidencia de PPCI con requerimiento de inhibición del EHHG. El incremento en la exposición a diversos desencadenantes ambientales durante la pandemia por COVID-19 podría haber ejercido mayor influencia en las niñas con alguna predisposición genética.

Introduction. Since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, consultations of girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) increased in several countries, but there were no data from Argentina. This increase may be related to changes in lifestyle and stress levels resulting from the lockdown, which particularly affected the child population. Objectives. 1) To describe the progression of the incidence of ICPP requiring inhibition of the hypothalamic- pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in girls between 2010 and 2021 in a cohort from the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires. 2) To compare the characteristics of girls diagnosed with ICPP during the pandemic with those of a control group. Methods. Interrupted time-series and case-control study. Results. The annual incidence remained stable between 2010 and 2017. Since 2017, it increased to an average of 59.9% (95% CI: 18.6­115.5) and appears to have accelerated during the pandemic. We found an association between ICPP and requiring inhibitory treatment between June 1 st, 2020 andMay 31 st, 2021 and 2 variables: maternal age at menarche (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.28­0.77) and family history of ICPP (OR: 4.42, 95% CI: 1.16­16.86). Conclusion. We evidenced a significant increase in the incidence of ICPP with requirement of HPG axis inhibition since 2017. Increased exposure to various environmental triggers during the COVID-19 pandemic may have had a greater influence in girls with some genetic predisposition.

Acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking for girls aged 3-8 years with incomplete precocious puberty: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking for girls aged 3-8 years with incomplete precocious puberty (IPP).@*METHODS@#Sixty girls with IPP were randomly divided into an observation group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (30 cases, 2 cases were eliminated). The girls in the control group were treated with healthy diet and proper exercise for 12 weeks. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, the girls in the observation group were treated with acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking. The acupuncture was applied at Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Guilai (ST 29), etc., the needles were retained for 20 min, acupuncture was given twice a week (once every 3 days). The auricular point sticking was applied at Luanchao (TF2), Neishengzhiqi (TF2), Neifenmi (CO18), Yuanzhong (AT2,3,4i), etc., twice a week. The treatment was given for 12 weeks. Before treatment, after treatment and in follow-up after 12 weeks of treatment completion, the Tanner stage of breast, serum contents of sex hormone (luteinizing hormone [LH], follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], estradiol [E2]) were observed. The ovarian volume, the number of follicles with diameter>4 mm, and the uterine volume were measured by abdominal color Doppler ultrasound. In addition, the safety of the observation group was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#Compared with before treatment, the Tanner stage of breast in the observation group was improved after treatment and in follow-up (P<0.05); after treatment and in follow-up, the Tanner stage of breast in the observation group was better than that in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, the serum levels of LH and E2 in the observation group were increased (P<0.05), and the volume of bilateral ovaries was larger (P<0.05) in follow-up. Compared with before treatment, the serum contents of LH, FSH and E2 in the control group were increased (P<0.05), the volume of bilateral ovaries was larger (P<0.05), and the number of follicles was increased (P<0.05) after treatment and in follow-up. The serum levels of LH, FSH and E2 in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), the volume of bilateral ovaries was smaller than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the number of follicles was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, the uterine volume in the two groups was larger in follow-up (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups after treatment and in follow-up (P>0.05). During the treatment, 3 cases in the observation group had slight abdominal pain and subcutaneous blood stasis, without serious adverse reactions.@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking could improve the Tanner stage of breast, reduce the level of sex hormone, slow down the development and maturation of ovary and follicle, and control the degree and speed of sexual development in girls aged 3-8 years with IPP.

Value of basal luteinizing hormone level combined with uterine volume measurement in the early diagnosis of central precocious puberty in girls with different Tanner stages / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the value of basal luteinizing hormone (LH) level combined with uterine volume measurement in the early diagnosis of central precocious puberty (CPP) in girls with different Tanner stages.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on the girls who presented with breast development before the age of 8 years and attended the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2017 to September 2022. According to the results of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist test, the girls with peak LH ≥5.0 IU/L and peak LH/follicle stimulating hormone ≥0.6 were enrolled as the positive group, and the other girls were enrolled as the negative group. The two groups were compared in terms of the basal LH level and uterine volume. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze their value in the early diagnosis of CPP.@*RESULTS@#For the girls with Tanner B2 and B3 stages, the positive group had significantly higher basal LH level and uterine volume than the negative group (P<0.05). The basal LH level had an optimal cut-off value of 0.325 IU/L and 0.505 IU/L respectively in the diagnosis of Tanner stage B2/B3 CPP, while uterine volume had an optimal cut-off value of 1.639 mL and 2.158 mL respectively. Basal LH level combined with uterine volume measurement had a significantly larger area under the ROC curve than uterine volume measurement alone (P<0.001), but with no significant difference compared with that of basal LH level measurement alone (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Basal LH level combined with uterine volume measurement is valuable in the early diagnosis of CPP in girls with different Tanner stages, which provides a basis and guiding significance for clinical diagnosis of CPP.

Association between early-life factors and pubertal timing in girls / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the association between early-life factors (including birth weight, method of birth, gestational age, and history of gestational metabolic disorders) and pubertal timing in girls.@*METHODS@#The stratified cluster sampling method was used to select the girls in grades 2-3 and 7-8 from three primary schools and three middle schools in Guangzhou, China from March to December, 2019, and breast development was examined for all girls. A questionnaire survey was performed to collect the information on early-life factors. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association of gestational metabolic disorders, birth weight, method of birth, and gestational age with pubertal timing in girls. The Bootstrap method was used to assess the mediation effect of body mass index (BMI) (Z score) between high birth weight (≥4 000 g) and pubertal timing.@*RESULTS@#A total of 1 665 girls were enrolled, among whom 280 (16.82%) were judged to have early pubertal timing. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high birth weight was associated with the increased risk of early pubertal timing (OR=2.12, 95%CI: 1.19-3.66, P=0.008). Nevertheless, no significant association was observed between other early-life factors and pubertal timing (P>0.05). The OR for the mediation effect of BMI (Z score) between high birth weight and early pubertal timing was 1.25 (95%CI: 1.09-1.47), accounting for 29.33% of the total effect of high birth weight on early pubertal timing.@*CONCLUSIONS@#High birth weight is associated with the increased risk of early pubertal timing in girls, and overweight/obesity may play a partial mediating role in the association between high birth weight and early pubertal timing in girls.

Further progress of the etiology,diagnosis and treatment of peripheral precocious puberty / 中华预防医学杂志

Peripheral precocious puberty(PPP),also known as puberty independent from hypothalamic-pituitary axis activation,is stimulated by hormones from other sources, with only partial sexual characteristics development but without mature sexual function. The secondary sexual characteristics development occurs before 7.5 years of age in girls and before 9 years of age in boys. Clinical manifestations are diverse, and PPP has varied etiology including congenital adrenal hyperplasia, McCune-Albright syndrome, ovarian cyst, adrenal tumor, ovarian tumor, testicular tumor, human chorionic gonadotropin producing tumor, familial male precocious puberty, aromatase excess syndrome, and environmental estrogen. Early identification of etiology, accurate differential diagnosis and prenatal gene screening play a significant role in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Caracterización clínica de pacientes chilenos con displasia fibrosa/síndrome de McCune-Albright / Clinical features of Chilean patients with Fibrous Dysplasia/McCune-Albright Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Fibrous Dysplasia/McCune-Albright Syndrome (FD/MAS) is characterized by a spectrum of manifestations that may include fibrous dysplasia of bone and multiple endocrinopathies. AIM: To describe the clinical spectrum, the study and follow-up of patients with FD/MAS cared at our institution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of medical records of 12 pediatric and adult patients (11 women) who met the clinical and genetic diagnostic criteria for FD/ MAS. RESULTS: The patients' mean age at diagnosis was 4.9 ± 5.5 years. The most common initial clinical manifestation was peripheral precocious puberty (PPP) in 67% of patients and 75% had café-au-lait spots. Fibrous dysplasia was present in 75% of patients and the mean age at diagnosis was 7.9 ± 4.7 years. Ten patients had a bone scintigraphy, with an age at the first examination that varied between 2 and 38 years of age. The most frequent location of dysplasia was craniofacial and appendicular. No patient had a recorded history of cholestasis, hepatitis, or pancreatitis. In four patients, a genetic study was performed that was positive for the pathogenic variant of guanine nucleotide binding protein, alpha stimulating (GNAS). CONCLUSIONS: These patients demonstrate the variable nature of the clinical presentation and study of FD/MAS. It is essential to increase the index of diagnostic suspicion and adherence to international recommendations.

Carcinoma corticosuprarrenal virilizante en un niño / Virilizing adrenocortical carcinoma in a child

Introducción: Los tumores suprarrenales en niños son poco frecuentes y el carcinoma suprarrenal representa menos de un 10 %. En el prepúber, la manifestación más típica es el desarrollo de pubertad precoz. Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas, los procederes diagnósticos y terapéuticos de un paciente con carcinoma adrenal en edad pediátrica. Presentación de caso: Paciente de 8 años, masculino y de piel blanca con antecedentes de salud. Acude a la consulta por crecimiento de vello pubiano y aumento del pene en longitud y grosor de aproximadamente 2 años de evolución. En el examen físico se constatan aumento de la velocidad de crecimiento y signos sugestivos de virilización (voz gruesa, vello axilar, vello sexual púbico y genitales externos estadio III de Tanner). Se realizaron estudios hormonales que corroboraron el hiperandrogenismo por secreción endógena autónoma, con niveles de gonadotropinas suprimidas, niveles de testosterona y dehidroepiandrosterona elevados. También se realizaron estudios imagenológicos que evidenciaron edad ósea acelerada y la existencia de un tumor. Se realizó una adrenalectomía izquierda y se confirmó por anatomía patológica el carcinoma corticosuprarrenal virilizante izquierdo en estadío 2. Inició un tratamiento con quimioterapia por dicho diagnóstico y actualmente se mantiene en seguimiento. Conclusiones: Los carcinomas corticosuprarrenales en niños son mayoritariamente funcionantes y constituyen una de las causas de pubertad precoz periférica. Estos son infrecuentes y agresivos, por lo que la realización de estudios genéticos en familias con síndromes hereditarios contribuiría a su diagnóstico precoz para un adecuado tratamiento y mejor pronóstico(AU)

Introduction: Adrenal tumors in children are rare and adrenal carcinoma represents less than the 10 percent. In the prepubescent, the most typical manifestation is the development of early puberty. Objective: Describe the clinical characteristics and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures of a patient with adrenal carcinoma in a pediatric age. Case presentation: 8-year-old male, white-skinned patient with a history of health conditions. He attentds to the consultation due to pubic hair growth and penis enlargement in length and thickness of approximately 2 years of evolution. Physical examination shows increased growth rate and signs suggestive to virilization (deep voice, axillary hair, pubic sexual hair and external genitalia in Tanner's stage III). Hormonal studies were carried out that corroborated hyperandrogenism by autonomic endogenous secretion, with suppressed gonadotropin levels, elevated testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone levels. Imaging studies were also performed that showed accelerated bone age and the existence of a tumor. A left adrenalectomy was performed and stage 2 left virilizing adrenocrotical carcinoma was confirmed by pathological anatomy studies. He began chemotherapy treatment for this diagnosis and is currently being followed up. Conclusions: Adrenocortical carcinomas in children are mostly functioning and are one of the causes of peripheral early puberty. These are uncommon and aggressive, so genetic studies in families with hereditary syndromes would contribute to their early diagnosis for adequate treatment and better prognosis(AU)

Tratamiento con análogos de la hormona liberadora de gonadotrofinas (aGnRH) en niñas, niños y adolescentes / Treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHa) in childhood and adolescence

Desde hace varias décadas, los análogos de la hormona liberadora de gonadotrofinas (aGnRH) son el tratamiento de elección en la pubertad precoz central (PPC) en niñas y en niños. Causan una inhibición del eje hipotálamo-hipófiso-gonadal, disminuyen la secreción de gonadotrofinas, estradiol y testosterona; como consecuencia, producen una regresión de los caracteres sexuales secundarios durante el tratamiento. En los últimos años, estos análogos también se utilizan en adolescentes transgénero, en adolescentes y adultas jóvenes con enfermedades oncológicas, en algunas situaciones muy particulares en niños y niñas con talla baja, y en pacientes con trastornos del neurodesarrollo. En Argentina, los más utilizados son el acetato de triptorelina y el acetato de leuprolide en sus formas de depósito. Estos medicamentos han demostrado eficacia y seguridad. El objetivo de esta publicación es realizar una revisión y actualización del uso de los aGnRH en niños, niñas y adolescentes.

For several decades, gonadotropin releasing hormone analogs (GnRHa) are the medical treatment selected for central precocious puberty (CPP) in girls and boys. They generate an inhibition of the hypothalamus-pituitarygonadal axis decreasing LH, FSH, estradiol and testosterone secretion and, in this way, they produce a regression of secondary sexual characters under treatment. In the last years, these analogs are also used in trans adolescents, in adolescents and young adults with oncological diseases, in some very particular situations in children with short stature and in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. In Argentina the most commonly used formulations are triptorelin and leuprolide acetate depot forms. These analogs have proven both their efficacy and their safety. The aim of this paper is to review and update about the use of GnRHa in children and adolescents.

McCune-Albright syndrome - A case report with transmission electron microscopy

Abstract McCune - Albright syndrome is a genetic disease with cutaneous mosaicism caused by post-zygotic activating mutations in GNAS locus, it has a triad of fibrous bone dysplasia, café-au-lait macules and precocious puberty. We examined a 22-year-old female patient with café au lait spot in right side of the abdomen, with a chessboard - like distribution, extending to right thigh with geographical contours, she has also an ovarian cyst, scoliosis and truncal obesity. Biopsies were taken from the hyperpigmented area and processed for light microscopy and for transmission electron microscopy. Light microscopy showed increased melanin pigment with HE staining. Immunohistochemistry with melanocytic markers (HMB-45 and Melan-A) revealed a normal number of melanocytes. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated normal epidermal structures, such as desmosomes, cytokeratin filaments and hemidesmosomes. With high magnifications an irregular melanossomal contour was seen, with some indentations in their outline.

Relationship between body mass index and sexual development in Chinese children / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and sexual development in Chinese children. Methods: A nationwide multicenter and population-based large cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China from January 2017 to December 2018. Data on sex, age, height, weight were collected, BMI was calculated and sexual characteristics were analyzed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on age, including ages 3-<6 years, 6-<10 years, 10-<15 years and 15-<18 years. Multiple Logistic regression models were used for evaluating the associations of BMI with sexual development in children. Dichotomous Logistic regression was used to compare the differences in the distribution of early and non-early puberty among normal weight, overweight and obese groups. Curves were drawn to analyze the relationship between the percentage of early puberty and BMI distribution in girls and boys at different Tanner stages. Results: A total of 208 179 healthy children (96 471 girls and 111 708 boys) were enrolled in this study. The OR values of B2, B3 and B4+ in overweight girls were 1.72 (95%CI: 1.56-1.89), 3.19 (95%CI: 2.86-3.57), 7.14 (95%CI: 6.33-8.05) and in obese girls were 2.05 (95%CI: 1.88-2.24), 4.98 (95%CI: 4.49-5.53), 11.21 (95%CI: 9.98-12.59), respectively; while the OR values of G2, G3, G4+ in overweight boys were 1.27 (95%CI: 1.17-1.38), 1.52 (95%CI: 1.36-1.70), 1.88 (95%CI: 1.66-2.14) and in obese boys were 1.27 (95%CI: 1.17-1.37), 1.59 (95%CI: 1.43-1.78), and 1.93 (95%CI: 1.70-2.18) (compared with normal weight Tanner 1 group,all P<0.01). Analysis in different age groups found that OR values of obese girls at B2 stage and boys at G2 stage were 2.02 (95%CI: 1.06-3.86) and 2.32 (95%CI:1.05-5.12) in preschool children aged 3-<6 years, respectively (both P<0.05). And in the age group of 6-10 years, overweight girls had a 5.45-fold risk and obese girls had a 12.54-fold risk of B3 stage compared to girls with normal BMI. Compared with normal weight children, the risk of early puberty was 2.67 times higher in overweight girls, 3.63 times higher in obese girls, and 1.22 times higher in overweight boys, 1.35 times higher in obese boys (all P<0.01). Among the children at each Tanner stages, the percentage of early puberty increased with the increase of BMI, from 5.7% (80/1 397), 16.1% (48/299), 13.8% (27/195) to 25.7% (198/769), 65.1% (209/321), 65.4% (157/240) in girls aged 8-<9, 10-<11 and 11-<12 years, and 6.6% (34/513), 18.7% (51/273), 21.6% (57/264) to 13.3% (96/722), 46.4% (140/302), 47.5% (105/221) in boys aged 9-<10, 12-<13 and 13-<14 years, respectively. Conclusions: BMI is positively correlated with sexual development in both Chinese boys and girls, and the correlation is stronger in girls. Obesity is a risk factor for precocious puberty in preschool children aged 3-<6 years, and 6-<10 years of age is a high risk period for early development in obese girls.

Peripheral precocious puberty with ovarian new growth: A case report

@#Precocious puberty is defined as appearance of secondary sexual characteristics that begins earlier than usual, and may be central or peripheral in origin. It is the physician’s duty to undertake a detailed investigation of the cause of the condition so as not to overlook a potentially correctable pathologic lesion, and prevent long-term somatic and psychosocial consequences in the child. This paper presents a case of 10 year old female with clinical signs and symptoms and laboratory results that point to a possible peripheral type of precocious puberty , and with a huge ovarian mass, which intraoperatively yielded inconclusive histopathologic findings due to massive necrosis. This paper aimed to discuss the possible etiologies for the development of precocious puberty in the index case, and the treatment options for both precocious puberty and ovarian new growth.

Dedicated sellar magnetic resonance imaging protocols without contrast enhancement in girls with central precocious puberty: prevalence of pathologic lesions and clinical correlation

ABSTRACT Objective: Contrast-enhanced brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is routinely performed in children with central precocious puberty (CPP). We evaluated the value of a dedicated sellar MRI protocol without contrast enhancement in girls with CPP. Subjects and methods: This study included 261 girls diagnosed with CPP. We performed sellar MRI scanning without gadolinium enhancement of the hypothalamic-pituitary area (HPA) at the pituitary level, including additional T2-weighted imaging of whole-brain scans to check for other lesions. We evaluated the prevalence of intracranial lesions via this MR protocol. In addition,the correlation between the clinical parameters and morphology of the pituitary gland on the images was assessed. Results: Intracranial lesions were detected in 17 (6.5%) of the 261 girls. Of the 17 girls with abnormalities, 16 (94.1%) had findings in brain areas other than the HPA. The weight, height, Tanner stage of patients were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the group with greater pituitary height. Patient weight and height, Tanner stage of breast development, and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were significantly (p < 0.05) greater in those with a higher pituitary grade as determined on sellar MRI. Conclusion: A dedicated unenhanced sellar MRI protocol provides valuable information on brain lesions and pituitary morphology. We found a significantly low prevalence of brain lesions among girls with CPP. Analysis of the height or shape of the pituitary gland on sellar MRI revealed significant correlations with the weight, height, Tanner stage, and LH levels of the patients.

Variantes de la pubertad precoz en las niñas / Variants of precocious puberty in girls

Introducción: El inicio de la pubertad está determinado por la interacción entre factores genéticos y reguladores. En las niñas ocurre alrededor de los ocho años. Puede afectarse cuando existe una pubertad adelantada, pubertad precoz o una variante de la pubertad. Para su diferenciación los estudios imagenológicos se han convertido en una herramienta vital. Objetivo: Describir aspectos fisiopatológicos, clínico-epidemiológicos y del diagnóstico por imágenes de la pubertad precoz y de sus variantes puberales en las niñas. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática a través de términos de búsqueda según descriptores en ciencias de la salud. Se utilizaron artículos de libre acceso en las bases de datos de PubMed, SciELO y Google Académico. De un total de 125 artículos, se utilizaron 45 de mayor interés: 34 en idioma español y nueve en inglés, que incluyeron libros y revistas. Análisis e integración de la información: Constituye un desafío distinguir la pubertad precoz de la telarquia, pubarquia, adrenarquia o menarquia aislada de aparición precoz, ya que son variantes del desarrollo puberal. Para su diagnóstico es importante descartar una causa tratable subyacente. El examen físico, análisis de laboratorio y estudios por imágenes, permiten diferenciar las formas completas de sus variantes y las posibles causas que determinan la estimulación de la producción hormonal. Conclusiones: El conocimiento del desarrollo normal de la pubertad y la aparición de sus variantes en las niñas resultan de gran utilidad. Su detección temprana ayudaría a recibir atención médica y descartar mediante métodos de imágenes sus causas secundarias(AU)

Introduction: The start of puberty is determined by the interaction between genetic and regulatory factors. Among girls this occurs around the age of eight years. However, the process may be affected by the presence of early puberty, precocious puberty or a variant of puberty. Imaging studies have become a vital tool for their differentiation. Objective: Describe the pathophysiological, clinical-epidemiological and imaging diagnostic aspects of precocious puberty and its pubertal variants in girls. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using search terms obtained from health sciences descriptors. The documents reviewed were open access papers from the databases PubMed, SciELO and Google Scholar. Of a total 125 papers retrieved, a selection was made of the 45 of greatest interest: 34 in Spanish and 9 in English, including books and journals. Data analysis and integration: Distinguishing precocious puberty from thelarche, pubarche, adrenarche or isolated premature menarche is a challenge, for these are variants of pubertal development. Ruling out an underlying treatable cause is important for diagnosis. Physical examination, laboratory analysis and imaging studies make it possible to differentiate complete forms from their variants and the possible causes determining the stimulation of hormone production. Conclusions: Knowledge about the normal development of puberty and the emergence of its variants in girls is very useful. Early detection would pave the way for medical care, including imaging studies to rule out its secondary causes(AU)