PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Puberty, Precocious”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Asymmetric ovarian enlargement in idiopathic precocious puberty.

A patient with precocious puberty is presented in whom the pneumogynogram showed only one enlarged ovary. Because tumor could not be excluded, the patient had exploratory operation six weeks later. Both ovaries and the uterus were enlarged, compatible with the central stimulation seen in idiopathic precocious puberty. Care should be used in interpreting pneumogynograms as evidence of possible ovarian tumor in young girls with precocious puberty who have only modest unilateral ovarian enlargement.

Child↗

Precocious puberty with congenital hypothyroidism.

Precocious puberty associated with profound hypothyroidism is a rare condition. It is usually characterized by breast development, vaginal bleeding, lack of pubic hair and delayed bone age. Multicystic ovaries in profound hypothyroid patients with precocious puberty have been rarely described. Vaginal bleeding in adolescent girls should be considered as a clinical significance particularly when it is prolonged or heavy, whereas vaginal bleeding in younger girls, regardless of its duration and quantity is always of clinical importance. Bleeding in such patients could be caused by local causes such as vulvar or vaginal lesions, or it could be from the endometrium, which is usually a sign of systemic hormonal disturbance [1]. In this report a rare case of vaginal bleeding, large, multicystic ovaries, precocious puberty and delayed bone age in a 7 years old girl with profound hypothyroidism is described.

Breast↗

[Precocious puberty. Comment on the diagnostic conditions and etiological aspects].

The present review is based on the retrospective study of 124 children with precocious puberty, 92 girls and 32 boys. In girls, the analysis of the clinical initial presentation has shown that premature pubarche (n = 18), premature adrenarche (n = 2) or isolated menstruations (n = 3) must be ruled out, as these symptoms can remain isolated for more than a year. However, in most cases the presence of growth acceleration and vaginal estrogenisation was of major diagnostic value. Bone maturation, although generally accelerated, can be normal in recently developed puberty. Precocious puberty may proceed by steps, with complete disappearance of physical signs in the intervals. Organic causes were found in 31% of the girls, and 44% of the boys with some characteristic features as rapid progression, and elevated LH response to LRF stimulation. Main causes were glioma of the optic chiasma (n = 11), 3rd ventricule invasive tumors, hamartoma (n = 8). The latter should be looked for by a non invasive procedure as the CT scan. In girls, precocious puberty with very high circulating estrogen levels was observed as part of a McCune-Albright syndrome. As the effect of precocious puberty on the final adult height is variable, the evaluation of therapeutic results remains uncertain. Medroxyprogesterone as well cyproterone acetate have not been fully efficient in controlling bone maturation. More recently, and still controversial, the treatment with long acting LRF analogues might provide a more satisfactory statural prognosis.

Bone Development↗

A novel mutation of the luteinizing hormone receptor gene causing male gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty.

Familial male-limited precocious puberty (FMPP) is an autosomal dominant gonadotropin-independent disorder. Affected males generally develop signs of precocious puberty in early childhood. They typically show Leydig cell hyperplasia and increased testosterone production typical for their age, whereas circulating LH concentrations remain prepubertal. Several dominant point mutations of the LH receptor gene were identified in pedigrees with familial male-limited precocious puberty and were shown to cosegregate with the disease. Here we report a novel heterozygote point mutation in the LH receptor gene of a Brazilian boy with gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty. This mutation substitutes alanine 568 with valine at the carboxyterminus of the third cytosolic loop of the LH receptor. The unoccupied mutant receptors confer constitutive activation of adenyl cyclase activity when expressed in COS-7 cells, resulting in 4-fold higher cAMP concentrations over baseline compared with cells expressing an equivalent number of wild-type receptors. The affinity of the mutant receptors to 125I-labeled human LH was not altered compared with the wild type. Mutations of the homologue alanine residue in the alpha 1-adrenergic (in vitro), FSH (in vitro), and TSH (naturally occurring) receptors also result in constitutive adenyl cyclase activation, suggesting that this alanine residue is crucial for signal transduction and a potential site for upregulatory/oncogenic mutations in G-protein coupled receptors.

Alanine↗

Growth hormone deficiency impedes the rise in plasma insulin-like growth factor I levels associated with precocious puberty.

We tested the hypothesis that growth hormone (GH) mediates the rise in insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations in children with precocious puberty. We studied three groups of patients. Group 1 included six children with GH deficiency and precocious puberty (precocious GH-deficient); group 2 included 10 GH-sufficient patients with idiopathic true precocious puberty (precocious GH-sufficient); and group 3 included 9 prepubertal children with GH deficiency (prepubertal GH-deficient). Growth rates, pubertal status, and plasma IGF-I concentrations were determined at regular intervals. The precocious children with GH deficiency had a mean (+/- SD) growth rate of 7.2 +/- 2.1 significantly below that of the precocious GH-sufficient patients (10.5 +/- 2.5 cm/yr, p less than 0.05) but above that of the prepubertal GH-deficient children (3.9 +/- 1.4 cm/yr, p less than 0.05). The mean IGF-I concentration in the precocious GH-deficient children was 0.77 +/- 0.39 U/ml, significantly lower than the mean level of 2.2 +/- 0.67 U/ml in the precocious GH-sufficient patients (p less than 0.01). However, precocious GH-deficient patients had significantly higher IGF-I values than the prepubertal GH-deficient children (0.24 +/- 0.10 U/ml, p less than 0.05). IGF-I values did not rise with the onset of precocious puberty in four of the precocious GH-deficient children evaluated before and after the development of precocious puberty. However, three patients who began GH treatment did have a rise in plasma IGF-I concentrations to levels of 1.2, 3.4, and 3.7 U/ml, respectively. These findings are compatible with the concept that sex steroids increase IGF-I levels in precocious puberty primarily by increasing GH production. A small but direct effect of sex steroids on IGF-I production may also exist. The onset of precocious puberty in children with organic GH deficiency may mask the abnormal growth pattern of these children and delay diagnosis; determinations of plasma IGF-I concentrations may be helpful in assessing the GH status of these patients.

Adolescent↗

Nocturnal melatonin levels are unaltered by ovarian suppression in girls with central precocious puberty.

Girls with central precocious puberty were utilized as a model in which to study the melatonin secretory response to ovarian suppression. Eight girls with central precocious puberty documented by clinical and endocrine characteristics, including sleep-entrained augmentation of luteinizing hormone (LH) pulsatility, were investigated. Nocturnal (6:00 P.M. to 9:00 A.M.) plasma melatonin levels were measured hourly by a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay before and after gonadotropin-ovarian downregulation with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-agonist. Although nocturnal melatonin elevations varied widely between girls, patterns within the same individual were remarkably reproducible and unaltered before and after treatment. Although estrogens have been shown to modulate melatonin synthesis and secretion, in this model, reduction of estrogen levels was not associated with alterations in plasma melatonin concentrations.

Child↗

Adult height after ketoconazole treatment in patients with familial male-limited precocious puberty.

Familial male-limited precocious puberty is a rare cause of precocious puberty due to activating mutations of the LH receptor, leading to early onset virilization and short stature. Two therapeutic approaches have been proposed: the P450 cytochrome inhibitor ketoconazole or combined treatment with spironolactone and testolactone. Results on adult heights have not been reported to date after these two treatments, and in this study we present results from five patients treated with ketoconazole at a median dose of 16.2 mg/kg.d for a median of 6.2 yr. Adult height was 173 cm (median; interquartile range, 14), similar to target height (175 cm; interquartile range, 9) and significantly higher than pretreatment predicted height (165 cm; interquartile range, 12; P < 0.01). During treatment, 39 of 58 (68%) testosterone measurements were less than 0.5 ng/ml (1.7 nmol/liter), nine of 58 (15%) were between 0.5 and 1 ng/ml (3.5 nmol/liter), and 10 of 58 (17%) were above 1 ng/ml. We observed a physiological increase in GnRH-stimulated LH levels after the age of 10 yr, and none of the patients had early activation of the gonadotropic axis. Liver tolerance was excellent, and only one patient had a transient and modest increase in serum transaminases. We conclude that ketoconazole is an efficient and well tolerated long-term treatment of familial male-limited precocious puberty that should be proposed as a first line therapy.

Adult↗

Heterogeneity of activating mutations of the human luteinizing hormone receptor in male-limited precocious puberty.

Male-limited precocious puberty (MPP) is a gonadotropin-independent disorder that occurs sporadically or is inherited in an autosomal dominant, male-limited pattern. Recent studies have identified constitutively activating missense mutations in the human luteinizing hormone receptor (hLHR) gene leading to Leydig cell activation and precocious puberty. Patients with sporadic MPP (SMPP) or with different ethnic backgrounds appear to have a greater likelihood of having novel mutations. In the current study we examined genomic DNA from two unrelated cases of SMPP of African-American descent for novel mutations of the hLHR gene. A heterozygous A to C transversion at nucleotide 1723 resulting in substitution of Leu for lle575 in transmembrane helix 6 was identified. Human embryonic kidney cells transfected with cDNA for the mutant hLHR-I575L, created by polymerase chain reaction-based mutagenesis of the wild-type (hLHR-wt) cDNA, exhibited increased basal levels of cAMP production in the absence of agonist, indicating constitutive activation. Surface expression of hLHR-I575L, as reflected by human chorionic gonadotropin binding, was diminished compared to hLHR-wt, while agonist affinity was unaffected. With the exception of two polymorphic bases, no mutation was identified within the coding sequence of the hLHR in the second case of SMPP. We conclude that I575L is a unique constitutively activating mutation that impairs cell surface expression of the receptor but does not alter agonist affinity. Furthermore, mutations of the hLHR gene causing SMPP are highly heterogeneous and may be found in regions other than exon 11 of the hLHR. Last, patients with MPP from different ethnic backgrounds are likely to have novel mutations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Gonadotropin-secreting pineal teratoma causing precocious puberty.

A case of precocious puberty in a 7-year-old boy with a tumor of the pineal region is reported. Human chorionic gonadotropin levels were elevated in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Endocrinological evaluation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis demonstrated a normal prepubertal response. The tumor was resected and proved to be an immature teratoma. Human chorionic gonadotropin levels were markedly elevated in the tumor cyst fluid. Sexual precocity regressed and human chorionic gonadotropin levels in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid fell to normal after surgery, suggesting that the precocious puberty was secondary to ectopic human chorionic gonadotropin production by the pineal teratoma.

Brain Neoplasms↗

[Constitutively activating mutations in the luteinizing hormone receptor gene in cases of male-limited precocious puberty].

Familial male-limited precocious puberty(FMPP) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by marked elevation of serum testosterone despite low levels of gonadotropin. In 1993, a single point mutation, Asp578 to Gly(D578G), in the luteinizing hormone(LH) receptor gene was found in FMPP families. After discovery of the D578G mutation in the sixth transmembrane region of the LH receptor gene, seven other mutations in the fifth and sixth transmembrane regions, two mutations in the third intracellular loop and one mutation in the second transmembrane domain of the LH receptor have been found in the patients with familial and sporadic male-limited precocious puberty. These mutations caused constitutively elevated cAMP levels in transfected cells in vitro. These results suggested that Leydig cell activation and precocious puberty were caused by activating mutations of the LH receptor.

Cyclic AMP↗

Hamartoma of CNS associated with precocious puberty.

A male infant had precocious puberty and hamartoma of the CNS. Signs of puberty appeared and progressed from 6 months of age. A computed tomographic scan disclosed an interpedunculary tumor. A craniotomy was successfully performed at 11/2 years of age, and 90% of the tumor was removed. Histologically, the tissue was identified as a hypothalamic hamartoma. Pubertal development stopped. The patient is now 4 years 9 months old and well. Review of medical literature covering a span of 47 years showed 50 cases of hamartomas in or near the hypothalamus confirmed by surgical exploration or autopsy. The male-female ratio of hamartomas with precocious puberty derived from these data is 2:1. Convulsions, mental retardation, or behavioral disorders were present in 48% of the cases; 36% had precocious puberty.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Cosegregation of missense mutations of the luteinizing hormone receptor gene with familial male-limited precocious puberty.

Familial male-limited precocious puberty is a male-limited autosomal dominant condition. It is characterized by increased testosterone synthesis in the absence of testicular stimulation by luteinizing hormone (LH). We hypothesised that an abnormal configuration of the LH receptor might autonomously activate G protein coupling, and thereby cause the overproduction of testosterone in this condition. To test this hypothesis, we screened for mutations in a part of the LH receptor gene that is important for G protein binding. DNA sequence variation was detected in 2 out of 5 families with male-limited precocious puberty by the single strand conformation polymorphism technique. Direct sequencing demonstrated different single nucleotide substitutions in the sixth transmembrane region of the LH receptor gene. The mutations cosegregated with the disorder in both families (lod score 5.76 without recombination). Both mutations cause an amino acid substitution in the sixth transmembrane domain, close to the C-terminal portion of the third cytoplasmatic loop, a region which is important for the binding of G proteins. We conclude that familial male-limited precocious puberty cosegregates with missense mutations in the LH receptor gene. These findings support the hypothesis that increased activity of the LH receptor is the pathogenetic mechanism that causes the abnormal pubertal development in this condition.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Precocious puberty in girls adopted from developing countries.

Nineteen girls adopted from developing countries were referred for signs of idiopathic precocious puberty. After adoption, the catch up in linear and weight growth, together with improved nutritional and psychological conditions, may trigger the onset of puberty. Precocious puberty is a frequent and unnatural event in these girls. Treatment with gonadotrophin releasing analogues is indicated in patients diagnosed early, and when height prediction is poor.

Adoption↗

Induction of precocious puberty in heifers II: advanced ovarian follicular development.

Precocious puberty can be induced in a majority of heifers weaned early and fed a high-concentrate diet. The objective of this experiment was to determine whether induction of precocious puberty is associated with an acceleration of ovarian maturation in heifers. Crossbred Angus and Simmental heifer calves were weaned at 104 +/- 2 (n = 18; early weaned) or 208 +/- 3 (n = 10; normal-weaned, NW) d of age. The early weaned heifers were fed a high-concentrate (60% corn; EWH, n = 9) or control diet (30% corn; EWC, n = 9). The NW heifers were also fed the control diet after weaning. Daily transrectal ultrasonography was performed to characterize a complete follicular wave beginning at a mean age of 126, 161, 196, 224, and 252 (EWH and EWC), or 224 and 252 (NW) d. Blood samples were collected daily during periods of ultrasonography to determine estradiol concentrations and weekly beginning at mean ages of 153 (EWH and EWC) or 216 (NW) d to be analyzed for progesterone concentrations. Heifers in the EWH treatment were heavier (P < 0.01) than EWC heifers from a mean age of 175 d through the end of the study (treatment x age; P < 0.05). Body weights did not differ between EWC and NW. At mean ages of 196 and 224 d, the maximum diameter of the dominant follicle (MaxDF) was greater (P < 0.05) in EWH than EWC heifers. At a mean age of 224 d, MaxDF was greater (P < 0.05) in EWC than NW heifers but was not different by a mean age of 252 d. All EWH, 5 of 9 EWC, and 5 of 10 NW heifers attained puberty at less than 300 d of age (precocious puberty). Age at puberty was less (P < 0.05) in EWH (252 +/- 9 d) than in EWC and NW (308 +/- 26 and 330 +/- 25 d, respectively) treatments. Across all heifers, MaxDF and duration of follicular waves increased with age (P < 0.05), mean number of follicles during follicular waves decreased with age (P < 0.05), and peak concentrations of estradiol during follicular waves increased until a mean age of 224 d. To further characterize aspects of precocious puberty, heifers were compared across treatments between those that experienced precocious puberty and those that did not. In heifers that experienced precocious puberty, BW at puberty was less (P < 0.01) and MaxDF, follicular wave duration, and peak estradiol concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) compared with heifers that did not experience precocious puberty. Ovarian maturation was accelerated in heifers that were weaned early and fed a high-concentrate diet and was associated with precocious onset of puberty.

Aging↗

Precocious puberty following severe head trauma.

True precocious puberty is frequently secondary to intrinsic central nervous system pathology, but is rare following external head trauma. We describe two children who developed precocious puberty within three months of severe exogenous head trauma. Infusion of luteinizing hormone releasing factor induced a prompt rise in circulating gonadotropin concentrations and established that their sexual precocity was the result of premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. While the precise mechanism by which exogenous head trauma causes precocious puberty remains unknown, the clinical features of these children's disorders are consistent with the hypothesis that extra-hypothalamic areas restrain pituitary gonadotropin secretion before puberty and that damage to these areas can result in precocious puberty.

Child↗

The effect of cyproterone acetate on adrenal cortical function in children with precocious puberty.

8 children with precocious puberty were treated with cyproterone acetate (CPA). During treatment there were no definite clinical signs of depressed adrenocortical function. The plasma cortisol concentrations were grossly depressed and the diurnal cortisol rhythm was abolished. Two months after discontinuation of CPA treatment the adrenocortical function had greatly improved. The lysin-vasopressin stimulation test revealed in one child a normal, in another child an exaggerated ACTH response during CPA therapy. Fasting plasma ACTH concentrations were elevated compared with normal controls, but they were very low compared with patients with Addison's disease. The results suggest that CPA has a twofold effect leading to adrenocortical insufficiency: i.e., inhibition of cortisol secretion by the adrenals themselves and inhibition of ACTH secretion at the hypothalamopitiuitary level.

Adolescent↗

Cyproterone acetate treatment in precocious puberty.

Seven girls with precocious puberty, idiopathic in 6 and associated with the McCune Albright syndrome in 1, were treated with 70 mg/M2/die of cyproterone acetate (CPA) for 11 to 36 months. Before and during treatment clinical parameters (weight, height, bone age, height velocity, prediction of adult height and pubertal development) were evaluated and plasma hormone assays in basal conditions (LH, FSH, 17 beta-estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, PRL, ACTH and cortisol) and after stimulation (LH, FSH, cortisol, GH) were carried out to assess the efficacy and eventual side effects of CPA. The regression observed in the clinical signs of puberty was considered satisfactory and the increase observed in the developmental quotient indicated an improved prognosis for adult height. No symptoms of adrenal insufficiency were observed but an adrenal suppressive effect of CPA was evident from the response to insulin hypoglycemia observed in 4 patients.

Child↗

Effect of cyproterone acetate (CA) on growth and endocrine function in precocious puberty.

16 girls with precocious puberty have been studied. Following low dosage cyproterone acetate (CA) therapy (mean daily dosage 65 mg/m2BSA) a beneficial effect on growth and skeletal maturation was observed. During high dosage therapy (150 mg/m2 per day) endocrinological studies were performed in 10 of these patients. There was no significant difference in HGH levels (insulin- and arginine-test), T3 and TSH values (TRH-test) between patients and controls, T4 concentration was significantly increased. Basal prolactin levels and prolactin response to TRH was definitely elevated. Oral glucose load and arginine infusion resulted in a significantly enhanced insulin release. There was a significant reduction in basal LH levels and an increase in FSH response to LH-RH. Basal and diurnal plasma cortisol values were markedly reduced and the cortisol release due to corticotrophin injection, lysinevasopressin (LVP) injection and insulin-hypoglycemia as well. A definite increase in basal ACTH levels was observed, during LVP- and insulin-hypoglycemia test ACTH concentrations were within or significantly above normal range. In our patients a primary adrenocortical insufficiency due to CA treatment was evident.

Arginine↗