GnRH agonist treatment for idiopathic central precocious puberty can improve final adult height in Chinese girls

Preliminary comparison of net gain in final adult height of girls with early menarche treated with or without gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist

Background

Early menarche is associated with both physical and psychosocial problems. Based on psychological and physical health considerations, for girls with early menarche, some parents and physicians may elect to use gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) to delay menstruation. This study aimed to explore the effects of GnRHa treatment on the final height of girls with early menarche and build the models to predict the final adult height (FAH).

Methods

Girls who experienced menarche between the ages of 8 and 10 years and were diagnosed with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital between July 2017 and August 2023 were included in this study. Participants were divided into two groups based on treatment strategy: GnRHa-treated and GnRHa-untreated groups. Laboratory parameters including growth factors and basal gonadotropins were tested at diagnosis. The heights and weights of the participants were measured every three months. Bone radiographs of the left hand and wrist were assessed by professional appraisers to determine the bone age (BA), which was measured every 6 months after diagnosis.

Results

Clinical data of 176 girls who experienced early menarche were retrospectively analyzed. For participants in the GnRHa-treated group (n=87), growth velocity (GV) showed significant differences between the first 6 months and second 6 months of treatment (P=0.01; 5.82±2.3 vs. 4.79±2.31 cm, respectively). The height standard deviation score (SDS) and BA (P<0.001) decreased during treatment. The predicted adult height was higher at the end of treatment, but was not statistically different from that at diagnosis (P=0.73). In the linear regression analysis, no significant relationships were observed between GnRHa treatment and net gain (NG) in final height [Model A, adjusted for BA and chronological age (CA) at baseline: P=0.43; Model B, adjusted for Model A plus HtSDS-BA, HtSDS, and BMISDS: P=0.65; Model C, adjusted for Model B plus LH, FSH, and IGF-1: P=0.82]. The generalized additive model (GAM) for NG in final height in GnRHa-treated participants included three independent risk factors: LH/FSH [estimated degrees of freedom (edf) =5.36, P=0.02], GV (edf =4.11, P=0.007), and the bone maturation ratio (BMR) (edf =4.79, P=0.02). GAM performed better than multivariate linear (stepwise) regression in predicting the FAH in GnRHa-treated girls with early menarche.

Conclusions

For girls who experienced menarche between the ages of 8 and 10 years, GnRHa treatment suppressed GV and skeletal maturity. The GAM provides a theoretical basis for pediatric endocrinologists in deciding whether to apply GnRHa treatment, determining the time to withdraw GnRHa treatment, and predicting the FAH of girls with early menarche.

[Construction of a diagnostic model and scoring system for central precocious puberty in girls, with external validation]

OBJECTIVES

To establish an efficient and clinically applicable predictive model and scoring system for central precocious puberty (CPP) in girls, and to develop a diagnostic prediction application.

METHODS

A total of 342 girls aged 4 to 9 years with precocious puberty were included, comprising 216 cases of CPP and 126 cases of isolated premature thelarche. Lasso regression was used to screen for predictive factors, and logistic regression was employed to establish the predictive model. Additionally, a scoring system was constructed using the evidence weight binning method. Data from 129 girls aged 4 to 9 years with precocious puberty were collected for external validation of the scoring system.

RESULTS

The logistic regression model incorporated five predictive factors: age, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), the luteinizing hormone (LH)/FSH baseline ratio, and uterine thickness. The calculation formula was: ln(P/1-P)=-8.439 + 0.216 × age (years) + 0.008 × IGF-1 (ng/mL) + 0.159 × FSH (mIU/mL) + 9.779 × LH/FSH baseline ratio + 0.284 × uterine thickness (mm). This model demonstrated good discriminative ability (area under the curve=0.892) and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test P>0.05). The scoring system based on this logistic regression model showed good discrimination in both the prediction model and external validation datasets, with areas under the curve of 0.895 and 0.805, respectively. Based on scoring system scores, the population was stratified into three risk levels: high, medium, and low. In the high-risk group, the prevalence of CPP exceeded 90%, while the proportion was lower in the medium and low-risk groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The CPP diagnostic predictive model established for girls aged 4 to 9 years exhibits good diagnostic performance. The scoring system can effectively and rapidly stratify the risk of CPP, providing valuable reference for clinical decision-making.

Impact of 6-month triptorelin formulation on predicted adult height and basal gonadotropin levels in patients with central precocious puberty

BACKGROUND

Triptorelin, a long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, is available in 1-, 3-, and 6-month formulations to treat central precocious puberty (CPP). The triptorelin pamoate 22.5-mg 6-month formulation recently approved for CPP offers greater convenience to children by reducing the injection frequency. However, worldwide research on using the 6-month formulation to treat CPP is scarce. This study aimed to determine the impact of the 6-month formulation on predicted adult height (PAH), changes in gonadotropin levels, and related variables.

METHODS

We included 42 patients (33 girls and nine boys) with idiopathic CPP treated with a 6-month triptorelin (6-mo TP) formulation for over 12 months. Auxological parameters, including chronological age, bone age, height (cm and standard deviation score [SDS]), weight (kg and SDS), target height (TH), and Tanner stage, were evaluated at baseline, and after 6, 12, and 18 months of treatment. Hormonal parameters, including serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol for girls or testosterone for boys, were analyzed concurrently.

RESULTS

The mean age at treatment initiation was 8.6 ± 0.83 (8.3 ± 0.62 for girls, 9.6 ± 0.68 for boys). The peak LH level following intravenous GnRH stimulation at diagnosis was 15.47 ± 9.94 IU/L. No progression of the modified Tanner stage was observed during treatment. Compared to baseline, LH, FSH, estradiol, and testosterone were significantly reduced. In particular, the basal LH levels were well suppressed to less than l.0 IU/L, and the LH/FSH ratio was less than 0.66. The bone age/chronological age ratio remained stable with a decreasing trend (1.15 at the start of treatment, 1.13 at 12 months, 1.11 at 18 months). PAH SDS increased during treatment (0.77 ± 0.79 at baseline, 0.87 ± 0.84 at the start of treatment, 1.01 ± 0.93 at six months, and 0.91 ± 0.79 at 12 months). No adverse effects were observed during treatment.

CONCLUSION

The 6-mo TP suppressed the pituitary-gonadal axis stably and improved the PAH during treatment. Considering its convenience and effectiveness, a significant shift to long-acting formulations can be expected.

Etiological, Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics of 367 Children with Early Pubertal Development from Thrace Region of Turkey

Background: Appearance of menarche before nine years of age, secondary sex characteristics before 8 in girls and 9 in boys is defined as Precocious Puberty (PP). Objective: The aim of this study was to describe etiologies, clinical findings, and compare anthropometric properties and biochemical characteristics of children with PP. Methods: In this single-centre study, 367 patients of whom medical records were reviewed diagnosed as premature thelarche (PT), premature adrenarche (PA), Central PP (CPP), and peripheral PP (PPP). The diagnosis was based on clinical, laboratory, and radiologic investigations and their follow-up. Results: During six years, 349 girls (%95,1) and 18 boys (%4,9) diagnosed as PP. The most common etiologies were CPP;127 (%34,6), PT;117 (%31,9), PA;112(%30,5) and PPP 11(%3), respectively. CPP group had significantly higher levels of height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and obesity/overweight incidence, estradiol (E2), basal luteinizing hormone (LH), peak LH, and peak LH/ follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio and higher uterine dimensions compared to the PT group while the PT group had significantly higher levels of peak FSH compared to the CPP group (p

The association between family impact and health-related quality of life of children with idiopathic central precocious puberty in Chongqing, China

Background

Idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) reduces patient health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The impacts of disease and treatment on families are also an important concern. This study aimed to assess the association between family impact and HRQoL of children with ICPP.

Methods

We conducted a case–control study in Chongqing, China. A case group of 134 children with ICPP aged 5–12 years and their caregivers was recruited from a children’s hospital in Chongqing. A total of 210 gender- and age-matched subjects from two primary schools were selected as controls. PedsQLTM4.0 Generic Core Scales (GCS) and PedsQL™ Family Impact Module (FIM) were used in this study.

Results

Children with ICPP scored lower than controls in all HRQoL domains except physical functioning. In particular, the two groups were significantly different in emotional functioning scores (d = 0.414, P < 0.001). Compared with controls, ICPP families had lower scores in all dimensions of the FIM scale (d = 0.288–1.030, all P < 0.05). Factors associated with HRQoL of ICPP patients included: age of patients, type of medical treatment, employment status of caregivers, educational level of caregivers, parent HRQoL and family functioning (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Children with ICPP demonstrated lower quality of life and greater family impact compared to healthy controls. In addition, less impact of disease on parent HRQoL and family functioning was associated with better HRQoL of ICPP patients, patients aged older, treated with drug combination, cared by employed or well-educated caregivers reported better HRQoL. Health care professionals should pay more attention to younger patients treated with GnRHa alone, and provide targeted interventions for caregivers depending on their demographic background to reduce family impact and thereby improve patient HRQoL.

The association between family impact and health-related quality of life of children with idiopathic central precocious puberty in Chongqing, China

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) reduces patient health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The impacts of disease and treatment on families are also an important concern. This study aimed to assess the association between family impact and HRQoL of children with ICPP.

METHODS

We conducted a case-control study in Chongqing, China. A case group of 134 children with ICPP aged 5-12 years and their caregivers was recruited from a children's hospital in Chongqing. A total of 210 gender- and age-matched subjects from two primary schools were selected as controls. PedsQLTM4.0 Generic Core Scales (GCS) and PedsQL™ Family Impact Module (FIM) were used in this study.

RESULTS

Children with ICPP scored lower than controls in all HRQoL domains except physical functioning. In particular, the two groups were significantly different in emotional functioning scores (d = 0.414, P < 0.001). Compared with controls, ICPP families had lower scores in all dimensions of the FIM scale (d = 0.288-1.030, all P < 0.05). Factors associated with HRQoL of ICPP patients included: age of patients, type of medical treatment, employment status of caregivers, educational level of caregivers, parent HRQoL and family functioning (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Children with ICPP demonstrated lower quality of life and greater family impact compared to healthy controls. In addition, less impact of disease on parent HRQoL and family functioning was associated with better HRQoL of ICPP patients, patients aged older, treated with drug combination, cared by employed or well-educated caregivers reported better HRQoL. Health care professionals should pay more attention to younger patients treated with GnRHa alone, and provide targeted interventions for caregivers depending on their demographic background to reduce family impact and thereby improve patient HRQoL.

Herbal Medicine for Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Herbal medicine (HM) is widely used in East Asia to treat idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP). However, no systematic reviews of the efficacy and safety of HM for treatment of ICPP have been reported. Thus, this systematic review assessed the efficacy and safety of HM for ICPP. Most available clinical trials that investigated HM for ICPP were included in this review. Methods and analysis: Eleven databases, including Asian databases, were searched from the date of inception until June 2018. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed HM for ICPP. Results: Nine RCTs including 650 participants with ICPP, were included in this review. As a result of meta-analysis, response rate of HM group was 1.14 times higher compared with control group, with moderate level of evidence. Also, serum estradiol (E2) level was significantly lower in HM group compared to control group with moderate level of evidence. Notably, serum luteinizing hormone (LH) level (IU/L) and E2 level were significantly lower in HM group than triptorelin injection group with moderate level of evidence. Bone age index and uterine volume were also significantly lower in HM group than control group with very low level of evidence. The incidence of adverse events was lower in the HM group than control group, but it was not statistically significant. Conclusions: According to the results of the meta-analysis, it seems that HM treatment has a significant effect on the treatment of ICPP and can effectively reduce serum LH, E2 level, and bone age. In particular, as gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog therapy has a negative effect on the growth rate and final height if bone age ≥13 years, this study suggests that HM treatment may be helpful. Additional higher quality RCTs are needed to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of HM for treatment of ICPP.

Relationship between final adult height and birth weight after gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment in girls with central precocious puberty

PURPOSE

The clinical significance of birth weight relative to gestational age in girls with central precocious puberty is unclear. This study sought to compare clinical parameters such as final adult height (FAH) and menarche onset after treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) on birth weight in girls with central precocious puberty treated.

METHODS

This retrospective study reviewed data of 69 girls with precocious puberty who had reached their FAH in a long-term trial of GnRHa treatment between January 2007 and December 2017. The subjects were divided into small for gestational age (SGA) (n=19) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) (n=50) groups.

RESULTS

When starting GnRHa treatment, bone age was 10.9±0.9 and 10.3±0.8 years in the SGA and AGA groups, respectively (P&lt;0.05). The predicted adult height (PAH) (established according to the Bayley-Pinneau average table) and advanced PAH (established according to the Bayley-Pinneau advanced table) were 151.5±4.8 cm and 155.8±4.9 cm in the SGA group, respectively, and 153.4±5.3 cm and 159.0±6.0 cm in the AGA group. After treatment, no significant difference in bone age was found between the groups. The time to menarche after treatment was 12.5±7.6 and 21.1±12.3 months in the SGA and AGA groups, respectively (P&lt;0.05). FAH in the SGA and AGA groups was 161.0±4.7 cm and 161.6±5.0 cm, respectively, without a significant difference.

CONCLUSION

SGA girls with precocious puberty have increased bone age and earlier menarche relative to AGA girls. However, no difference in FAH after treatment was found between these groups.

The Effects of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analog and a Combination of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analog and Recombinant Human Growth Hormone on Adult Height in Girls with Early Puberty

Background:

Early puberty (EP) is due to the activation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse generator in lower ages; EP may be a potential cause for impairment of adult height, leading to short stature. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of GnRH analog (GnRHa) and GnRHa plus recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment on final height in healthy girls with EP.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty EP girls (sexual maturity rating: 2–3) with chronological age (CA) 9.22 ± 0.56 and bone age (BA) 9.74 ± 0.59 years were treated with GnRHa (Triptorelin) at a dose of 100 μg/kg body weight (BW) as intramuscular every 28 days for 2.82 ± 0.57 years; 45 EP girls with CA 9.84 ± 0.57 and BA 10.14 ± 1.02 years were also treated with the same GnRHa plus rhGH (Norditropin) at a dose of 0.1 unit/kg BW daily for 6 days in a week for 2.55 ± 0.6 years. In the control group, 33 EP girls followed for the same period without treatment. Height, weight, and body mass index of girls and parents were assessed. Predicted adult height (PAH) at the start and the end of the study and target height were assessed.

Results:

PAH at the end of the study in the GnRHa group was not different with untreated girls. PAH at the end of the treatment in GnRHa plus rhGH group was significantly higher than both untreated and GnRHa group. PAH at the end of therapy in GnRHa plus rhGH group was significantly more than their target height.

Conclusion:

GnRHa therapy has a benefit effect in achievement of target height. Combination therapy with GnRHa plus rhGH increased their PAH more than both untreated and GnRHa groups.

Increased final adult height by gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty

Objective

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) are the treatment of choice for central precocious puberty (CPP) and have been widely used for several decades. We determined the effect of GnRHa treatment on the auxological outcomes of girls with idiopathic CPP.

Methods

This study included 84 girls treated monthly with depot leuprolide acetate who had reached adult height. We compared their final adult height (FAH) with their initial predicted adult height (PAH). We performed a multivariate analysis of the factors associated with FAH on all girls diagnosed with CPP.

Results

We performed the final evaluations at a mean age of 14.1 ± 0.8 years after a mean treatment duration of 2.98 ± 0.73 years (ranging from 1.5–4.8 years). Menarche had occurred at 12.6 ± 0.6 years of age, which was 16.5 ± 6.1 months after discontinuation of GnRHa therapy. Mean FAH was 160.1 ± 5.0 cm, which was significantly higher than the initial PAH (156.1 ± 5.7 cm; P < 0.001). To investigate whether growth outcomes were influenced by the age at initial treatment, we divided all patients into two groups, those treated between 6 and 8 years (n = 23) and those treated after 8 years (n = 61); no significant differences were observed in FAH between the two groups. FAH was significantly and positively correlated with the height standard deviation score (SDS) at the end of treatment and with the target height, whereas the difference between bone age and chronological age at the start and end of treatment was negatively correlated with FAH.

Conclusion

FAH was significantly higher than the initial PAH in girls with CPP who were treated with GnRHa. Also, GnRHa treatment was still effective even after 8 years of age in girls with CPP.

Herbal medicine for idiopathic central precocious puberty: A protocol for a systematic review of controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Herbal medicine is widely used in East Asia to treat idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP). Most of the available clinical trials that investigated herbal medicine for ICPP have been included in this review. This systematic review will assess the efficacy and safety of herbal medicine for ICPP.

METHODS

Eleven databases, including Asian databases, will be searched for studies conducted through 2018. We will include randomized controlled trials assessing herbal medicine for ICPP. The risk of bias will be evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool, and confidence in the cumulative evidence will be evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation instrument.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated both electronically and in print. The review will be updated to inform and guide health care practices.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPER 2018 CRD42018087988.