A single-sample, subcutaneous gonadotropin-releasing hormone test for central precocious puberty.
OBJECTIVE
We compared a rapid, subcutaneous (SQ), single-sample gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test with the standard multiple-sample, intravenous (IV) GnRH stimulation test used in the evaluation of central precocious puberty (CPP).


METHODS
We evaluated 22 patients presenting with evidence of precocious puberty. GnRH (100 microg) was administered subcutaneously in the clinic setting with single serum luteinizing hormone (LH) measured 40 minutes after injection. A standard IV GnRH stimulation test was performed within 2 weeks, with serum LH obtained at 0, 20, 40, and 60 minutes. LH was assayed by immunochemiluminometric assay.


RESULTS
The mean peak LH levels after IV and SQ testing were identical. A significant correlation (r = .88) was found between the LH determined by SQ stimulations and the peak LH determined by IV GnRH testing. CPP was diagnosed (LH, >/- 8 IU/L) by both SQ and IV testing in 7 of 22 patients and was excluded by both tests in 14 of 22 patients. A diagnostic discrepancy between peak IV and SQ results was seen in 1 patient.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that mean GnRH-stimulated LH levels from rapid SQ and standard IV testing are indistinguishable and that individual LH levels by each method are strongly correlated. A rapid SQ GnRH test is a valid tool for laboratory confirmation of CPP.
Eckert
K L
KL
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Stanford University Hospital, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
Wilson
D M
DM
Bachrach
L K
LK
Anhalt
H
H
Habiby
R L
RL
Olney
R C
RC
Hintz
R L
RL
Neely
E K
EK
D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton; D002648:Child; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013997:Time Factors
D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone