[Treatment with LHRH analogues in girls with precocious puberty does not improve final height. Longitudinal study compared with a control group].

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.