Does GnRH agonist enhance the final adult height in girls with precocious puberty?

Background: Girls with sign of secondary sexual characteristic before the age of 8 years are defined as precocious puberty (PP). Early activation of hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis causes central PP. Without treatment, some become short adult height and early menstruation may develop.

Objective: Report the final adult height in precocious puberty girls who have been treated with GnRH agonist.

Methods: Seventy girls with PP and early puberty (EP) who were treated with GnRH agonist have been followed up until they reach final height (FH). FH was compared with predicted adult height (PAH) before treatment and mid-parental height (MPH).

Results: All subjects were treated with GnRH agonist for a mean duration of 1.9 0.6 years. FH was significantly higher than PAH before treatment (156.6±5.1 vs. 151.6±6 cm, p <0.001). FH is positively correlated with MPH. However, treatment with GnRH agonist in EP girls and in PP girls with bone age of more than 12.5 years or those who already had menstruation may have less benefit.

Conclusion: GnRH agonist can enhance FH in girls with PP. Early treatment in those with bone age of less than 12.5 years or before menstruation may result in good outcome.