Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of precocious puberty.

In the last two decades, the diagnosis and treatment of precocious puberty has undergone important changes. The use of supersensitive assays to determine gonadotropins and gonadal hormones has increased the sensitivity and decreased the number of blood samples required to assess the diagnosis. The introduction of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists produced a revolution in the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder. Recently, the use of long acting GnRH agonists improved the adherence of patients to medical treatment and decreased the need for uncomfortable repeated doses. The medications in the treatment of the GnRH independent causes of precocious puberty, and the important revelations in the pathophysiology of these disorders, have advanced our knowledge and management of the affected children.