Objective: To study the effects of treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHa) on final height, weight and pubertal development in girls with central precocious puberty.
Methods: Twenty-six girls with central precocious puberty were treated with GnRHa for an average of 19.2+/- 8.4 months. Pretreatment and posttreatment predicted adult heights (PAH) were evaluated based on the Bayley-Pineau table. The patients, heights and weights were measured monthly. Bone age (BA) was evaluated using Greulich-Plyle. Height standard deviation score for BA [HtSDS (BA)] was measured. After discontinuation of treatment, the patients were followed-up for the observation of height, weight, BA and menstruation.
Results: Final height averaged 158.0+/- 4.0 cm in the 26 girls, which was greater than their target height (155.3+/- 4.4 cm; P< 0.01) and consistent with their posttreatment PAH (158.4+/- 5.2 cm). The final height was positively corrrelated with initial height, PAH and HtSDS(BA). There was a positive correlation in the body mass index before and after treatment (r=0.724, P< 0.01). Menarche occurred 13.2+/- 6.1 months after discontinuation of treatment, with a mean menarche age of 12.2+/- 0.7 years.
Conclusions: GnRHa may increase final height in girls with central precocious puberty. Their final heights may be correlated with their initial heights and PAH. The pubertal development after GnRHa treatment in girls with central precocious puberty may be matched with normal children.