Prolactin secretion before, during, and after chronic gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatments in children.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of long-term administration of GnRH agonists (GnRHa) on PRL secretion in children affected by central precocious puberty (CPP) and growth hormone deficiency (GHD).


METHODS
Prospective analysis of blood sampling before, during, and after GnRHa treatments.


METHODS
Pediatric endocrine center.


METHODS
One hundred nineteen and 93 children with a diagnosis of CPP and GHD, respectively.


METHODS
Monthly depot injections of GnRHa drugs (leuprorelin acetate 3.75 mg [LA] and triptorelin 3.75 mg [TR]) administered to CPP and GHD patients for 40 and 24 months, respectively.


METHODS
Serum PRL levels at baseline and after 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, and 40 months of treatment with GnRHa were compared between CPP and GHD groups. PRL levels at 6 and 12 months after GnRHa withdrawal were also examined.


RESULTS
Although serum PRL levels tended to be higher in TR- than in LA-treated patients, no significant difference in circulating PRL in basal condition and during GnRHa treatment was detected between the CPP and GHD groups. However, five children (3.8%) developed hyperprolactinemia during TR treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Although there are no general concerns about GnRHa treatment safety, careful PRL monitoring is required in GnRHa-treated children.
Massart
Francesco
F
Pediatric Endocrine Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. massart@med.unipi.it
Parrino
Roberta
R
Placidi
Giulia
G
Massai
Ginevra
G
Federico
Giovanni
G
Saggese
Giuseppe
G
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000819:agonists*; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy
D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011388:Prolactin