Clinical presentation of children with premature adrenarche.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the phenotype of premature adrenarche (PA) patients, elucidate historical and physical correlates, and distinguish PA from late-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia (LOCAH).


METHODS
Retrospective chart review of 122 patients (91 female and 31 male) with PA and 11 with LOCAH.


RESULTS
In PA patients, birth weight was <2 standard deviation scores (SDSs) in 6%, and 14% were premature. Body mass index SDSs were high (2.00 ± 1.84). Bone age (BA) SDS was >2 in 31% and was greater in boys than in girls; PA subjects were taller, and the predicted height was at or above genetic potential. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) was higher in boys. LOCAH patients had earlier pubic hair, more advanced BA, lower height SDSs, lower adult height prediction, and higher adrenal androgen levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with PA tend to be overweight with BA acceleration but normal height prediction. LOCAH is distinguished by earlier presentation and higher 17-hydrocyprogesterone and adrenal androgens.
Massachusetts General Hospital for Children and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. julia.v.oettingen@gmail.com
Julia
J
von Oettingen
Joaquim
J
Sola Pou
Lynne L
LL
Levitsky
Madhusmita
M
Misra
D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone / Q000097:blood*; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000503:physiopathology; D000312:Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D050499:Adrenarche / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton; D001724:Birth Weight; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone