title: Side effects of GnRH analogue treatment in childhood.
abstract: There are a few reports of side-effects of LHRHa treatment in childhood, the mechanisms of which remain little understood. Such effects can be local reactions: erythema, induration, wheal and sterile abscess formation, which can be possible causes of therapy failure. There are negative effects on growth velocity and final height requiring rhGH therapy or a suppressive treatment when bone age >13 years. Excessive weight gain can occur by various mechanisms: menopausal-like phenomena, or LHRHa influence on hypothalamic and/or leptin-mediated control of body weight. Other possible adverse effects involve increased ovarian volume with possible POS development; however, there is no evidence correlating LHRHa, hyperandrogenism and POS. The latter appears related to CPP onset with pre-existing hyperandrogenism, although lengthier follow-up is necessary to confirm this. Bone density decreases during therapy, but final peak bone mass is in the normal range. Frequent transitory side-effects include headaches, hot flushes, depression and irregular menses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, I.R.C.D.S. Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tonini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lazzerini
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone