Efficacy of leuprolide therapy in children with central precocious puberty.
Eight girls with central precocious puberty were treated with the long-acting gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue leuprolide acetate (Lupron) for a period of six to 18 months. Suppression of gonadotropin and estradiol secretion and regression of secondary sexual characteristics and menses were observed while patients received a subcutaneous dose of 35 to 40 micrograms/kg/d. Growth velocity was slowed in all but one patient, and the rate of skeletal maturation was slowed even more, resulting in a stabilization or improvement in predicted adult height. There were no major side effects. Although the long-term effects of leuprolide therapy cannot be determined with this study, it appears to be efficacious in the treatment of central precocious puberty.
D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D016729:Leuprolide; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D016729:Leuprolide