Benign premature adrenarche: clinical features and serum steroid levels

18 girls with premature adrenarche were evaluated both clinically and by serum steroid measurements. Age at first appearance of the symptoms ranged from 3.0 to 7.8 years. Clinical findings included pubic or axillary hair, acne, accelerated growth, adult-type perspiration and oily skin or hair. Bone age was 0.3-3.2 years ahead of chronological age. 15 of these 18 girls had accelerated growth and most of these already before the appearance of pubic hair. Five girls had severe acne requiring topical treatment. Serum dehydroepiandrosterone was elevated for age in all patients. Androstenedione and testosterone correlated positively with the dehydroepiandrosterone values. Dihydrotestosterone was also elevated in many girls. Administration of dexamethasone brought about a rapid normalization of the elevated steroid levels.