Effects of GnRH analogue treatment on anterior pituitary hormones in children with central precocious puberty.

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the effect of Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (GnRHa) treatment on anterior pituitary hormones in female children with central precocious puberty (CPP).

SUBJECTS AND METHOD: There were 62 female children who had been diagnosed with CPP and received GnRHa (Leuprolide acetate, 3.75 mg intramuscular/subcutaneous/28 days) included in the study. All subjects were clinically evaluated prior to treatment and every 3 months during treatment with serum LH, FSH, ACTH, TSH, PRL as pituitary hormones, and the end hormones such as plasma E2, cortisol, fT3, fT4 levels were measured. IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels were measured, and SDS was evaluated according to age and gender.

RESULTS

Prolactin levels were higher during GnRHa treatment compared to pre-treatment values although the increase was statistically significant only at month 3. In addition, while 2 (3.2%) of the patients had hyperprolactinemia before treatment, 11 (17.7%) patients developed hyperprolactinemia at different time points during treatment.

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that GnRHa treatment resulted in hyperprolactinemia and had no significant effect other pituitary hormones.