Assessing Pubertal Suppression with 3.75 mg Monthly Versus 11.25 mg 3-Monthly Leuprolide Acetate in Girls with Central Precocious Puberty.

OBJECTIVE

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHa), such as leuprolide acetate (LA), are standard treatments for central precocious puberty (CPP). This study compared the effectiveness of the monthly 3.75 mg and 3-monthly 11.25 mg formulations in achieving pubertal suppression in girls with CPP.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This retrospective study included 136 girls with idiopathic CPP. Eighty six received LA 3.75 mg monthly, and 50 received LA 11.25 mg every 3 months for 1 year. Clinical, anthropometric, laboratory, and radiological parameters were evaluated at baseline and after 12 months. Pubertal suppression was defined as a peak luteinizing hormone (LH) level <4 IU/L after GnRH stimulation.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. After 12 months, no significant differences were observed in bone age advancement, height SD Score (SDS), body mass index SDS, predicted adult height, or uterine volume. Pubertal suppression was achieved in 72.1% (3.75 mg) and 78% (11.25 mg) of patients (P = .291). Post-treatment LH and estradiol changes were similar between the 3.75 mg and 11.25 mg groups (median delta LH: -0.19 vs. -0.35 IU/L, P = .850; median delta estradiol: -21 vs. -13.9 pg/mL, P = .234), indicating comparable hormonal responses to both formulations.

CONCLUSION

Both formulations demonstrated comparable effectiveness in pubertal suppression. The 3-monthly formulation, with similar safety and hormonal control, may improve adherence and convenience due to reduced injection frequency. These findings support its use as an effective alternative for CPP management.