[Central precocious puberty due to hypothalamic hamartoma in Cameroon]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Pediatric Neurology

Background:

• Hypothalamic hamartoma is a rare cause of central precocious puberty (CPP).
• CPP presents with early onset of secondary sexual characteristics.

Observation:

• An 18-month-old girl presented with vaginal bleeding at 8 months, indicative of CPP.
• Clinical examination revealed Tanner stage 3 puberty; psychomotor development was normal, and no epilepsy was observed.
• Hormonal evaluation and brain MRI confirmed a hypothalamic hamartoma.

Findings:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for diagnosing hypothalamic hamartoma.
• Long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog administration improved clinical symptoms.
• Neurosurgery is not indicated for patients without epileptic seizures.

Implications:

• Hypothalamic hamartoma should be considered in cases of CPP.
• Accessibility and cost of MRI and GnRH agonists pose challenges in low-income countries.
• GnRH agonists are effective in managing CPP, improving adult height, but affordability remains a barrier globally.