The treatment of central precocious puberty using an intranasal LHRH analogue (buserelin)

Eight girls and one boy with precocious puberty were treated with intranasal (D-Ser6)-LHRH (buserelin) for 0.5-2.3 years (mean 1.2 years). Treatment regimen varied between 17 and 40 microgram/kg/d in the girls to 10 micrograms/kg/d in the boy in two or three divided doses. Gonadotrophin-dependent clinical signs showed arrest or regression whereas those of adrenarche progressed. Serial pelvic ultrasound assessment was used to monitor treatment in four girls. Although peak stimulated gonadotrophins reduced to prepubertal levels, basal gonadotrophins became elevated on treatment. The mode of action of buserelin was the abolition of gonadotrophin pulsatility. Initial data suggest an improved growth prognosis. We concluded that intranasal therapy is an alternative route of administration of LHRH analogue in the treatment of precocious puberty.