A study of anthropomorphic and biochemical characteristics in girls with central precocious puberty and thelarche variant.
BACKGROUND
Premature thelarche in later childhood may progress to central precocious puberty (CPP), which does not spontaneously resolve. Thelarche variant (TV) is a slowly progressive variant of precocious puberty.


OBJECTIVE
To determine and compare levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and anthropomorphic measures in girls with TV and CPP.


METHODS
Prepubertal controls and girls with TV and CPP.


METHODS
Chronological and bone age, weight, height, BMI, height velocity (HV), and serum IGF-I, IGFBP-3, leptin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and lutenizing hormone (LH) levels were assessed.


RESULTS
Serum IGF-I levels, HV and IGF-I/ IGFBP-3 ratio were significantly higher in girls with CPP compared to both controls and girls with TV. IGFBP-3 values for bone age (IGFBP-3BA) were significantly higher in the TV group compared to both controls and girls with CPP. FSH and LH concentrations were significantly higher in the CPP group compared to TV.


CONCLUSIONS
HV, IGF-I, LH and FSH levels and IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratio are elevated in girls with CPP compared to those with TV.
Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Pen-Hua
PH
Su
Shu-Li
SL
Wang
Jia-Yuh
JY
Chen
Suh-Jen
SJ
Chen
Jui-Chen
JC
Ke
D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton; D000886:Anthropometry; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D001940:Breast / Q000254:growth & development*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000097:blood*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology
D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D020738:Leptin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone