Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Treatment in Sexual Precocity

Depot gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs represent the first-line therapy in sexual precocity due to central precocious puberty. GnRH analogs desensitize the pituitary and account for the suppression of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone leading to a decrease of sex steroid levels. The conventional indications are central puberty starting before the age of 8 years in girls and 9 years in boys. These indications can be extended to difficult conditions with poor adult height prognosis or marked psychosocial impact. This includes children after irradiation, international adoption, and children with a physical handicap or mental disabilities. There are different formulations of depot preparations of GnRH analogs; long-acting 1- or 3-month forms are widely used in Europe and all are well tolerated with minor side effects. Overweight is often present at the onset of precocious puberty and some etiologies such as hamartomas predispose to obesity, requiring appropriate care for weight control during and after the cessation of GnRH analog treatment. Many studies have reported on the effects on adult height, which seems to be especially beneficial when treatment is started before the age of 6; however, few studies have focused on the establishment of the 1st menstruation, 1st sexual intercourse, socioprofessional outcome and subsequent fertility.