scholarly journals Precocious puberty in Korean girls with and without exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in toy slime: a comparative analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mi Seon Lee ◽  
Gi Min Lee ◽  
Cheol Woo Ko ◽  
Jung Eun Moon

Abstract Background Toy slime is popular in Korea, and in parallel, pre-pubertal girls visit hospitals for early pubertal signs. Thus far, numerous studies have investigated the association of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with precocious puberty (PP). However, there is a lack of studies on the clinical manifestations and sex hormones. We aimed to investigate early pubertal development in Korean girls with or without a history of toy slime exposure and determine changes in bone age, Tanner stage, and sex hormones. Methods In this study, 140 girls underwent stimulation tests at Kyungpook National University Children’s Hospital Endocrinology Department, during January 2018 and December 2020. Patients were divided into two groups for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test and frequency of exposure to toy slime (EDCs). GnRH stimulation test was conducted after an intravenous injection of 100 µg of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. Slime exposure was defined as Slime ≥ 3 times/week for ≥ 3 months. Results History of slime exposure was found in 14 of 58 and 65 of 82 patients in the central PP (CPP) and non-CPP groups, respectively. Slime-exposed patients had advanced bone age, although their Tanner stage was low. Patients with a history of toy slime exposure were 5.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with non-CPP than patients without slime exposure (p < 0.05). Conclusions Exposure to toy slime in prepubertal girls may be associated with rapid clinical advancement of pubertal development and bone age, and the patients appear more likely to be diagnosed with non-CPP.

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 358-360
Author(s):  
I.O. Oluwayemi ◽  
A.A. Afolabi ◽  
E.O. Adeniji ◽  
T.O. Ayeni

Precocious puberty refers to the appearance of signs of puberty at an earlier age than is considered normal. It occurs ten times more commonly in  girls than in boys. The overall incidence ranged from 1/5000 to 1/10,000 children. The cause is idiopathic in 90% of cases of female precocious  puberty. We present BA a 24 month old female toddler who presented with one year history of progressive breast development and 6 month history of pubic hair growth. There was associated increasing weight, height and vaginal secretion. There was no similar occurrence in the family. Mother attained menarche at 14 years of age. Essential finding at presentation revealed a toddler who is heavy and tall for age with a weight of 17kg (>95th percentile for age and sex), height of 90.5cm (90th percentile for age and sex), Occipito-frontal circumference of 49cm (normal). Her sexual maturityrating was Tanner stage 3 for breasts and stage 2 for pubic hair. An assessment of precocious puberty was made. Her investigation result showed an advanced bone age of 5 years; elevated serum gonadotrophins in the pubertal range; and essentially normal cranial CT. Abdomino-pelvic USS showed an enlarged uterus for age, and a dominant right follicle with internal echo measuring 17.1mm X 15.2mm. Parents were counseled on the need for treatment to arrest the progression of precocious puberty but yet to respond because of financial constraint after 2 years of diagnosis. Female precocious puberty is ten times more common than male precocious puberty. The aetiology is idiopathic in 90% of cases and It is amenable to treatment. Integration of the investigation and treatment of childhood endocrine disorders into the National Health Insurance scheme will be a great panacea to the challenge of prompt management in developing countries. Keywords: Precocious, puberty, 24 months old, female, idiopathic, poverty, Nigeria 


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 785-791
Author(s):  
Valeria Calcaterra ◽  
Catherine Klersy ◽  
Federica Vinci ◽  
Corrado Regalbuto ◽  
Giulia Dobbiani ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesData on the predictive values of parameters included in the diagnostic work-up for precocious puberty (PP) remain limited. We detected the diagnostic value of basal sex hormone levels, pelvic ultrasound parameters and bone age assessment for activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in girls with PP, in order to help in the decision to perform GnRH testing.Patients and methodsWe retrospectively considered 177 girls with PP. According to puberty evolution, the girls were divided into two groups: rapid progressive central precocious puberty (RP-CPP) and non/slowly progressive/transient forms (SP-PP). In all patients we considered Tanner stage, basal luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) values, bone age, and pelvis examination. We assessed the diagnostic value of each variable and identified the number of pathological parameters that best identify patients with RP-CPP.ResultsBasal LH ≥ 0.2IU/L, E2 level ≥ 50 pmol/L, uterine longitudinal diameter ≥ 3.5 cm, transverse uterine diameter ≥ 1.5 cm, endometrial echo and ovarian volume ≥ 2 cm3 were significantly associated with RP-CPP (p ≤ 0.01). The ability to diagnose RP-CPP was enhanced with increasing number of pathological hormonal and instrumental parameters (p < 0.001). With more than three parameters detected, sensitivity and specificity reached 58% (95%CI 48–67) and 85% (95%CI 74–92), respectively, with a PPV = 86% (95%CI 76–93) and PPN = 54% (95%CI 43–54); the area under the ROC curve was 0.71 (95%CI 0.65–0.78).ConclusionDespite the availability of different tests, diagnosing RP-CPP remains difficult. A diagnosis model including at least three hormonal and/or ultrasound parameters may serve as a useful preliminary step in selecting patients who require GnRH testing for early detection of RC-PP.


Author(s):  
Kamila Botelho Fernandes de Souza ◽  
Melyna Shayanne Pessôa Veiga ◽  
Gabriela Ráina Ferreira Martins ◽  
Adriana Paula da Silva ◽  
Lívia Grimaldi Abud Fujita ◽  
...  

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the cutoff values of gonadotropin response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHas) corresponding to the activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis that could differentiate central precocious puberty (CPP) from premature thelarche (PT) and using the electrochemiluminescence assay method. Methods: A total of 49 girls underwent the stimulation test with the intramuscular injection of 3.75 mg leuprolide acetate. Based on the clinical and laboratory characteristics, they were divided into two groups: CPP (n = 22) and PT (n = 27). Baseline estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were collected before GnRHa administration, and LH and FSH at 60 and 120 min, respectively, after GnRHa administration. Results: The girls with CPP presented an increased height Z-score, advanced bone age, and higher baseline LH, FSH, estradiol, and LH/FSH ratio in relation to PT (p < 0.001). Stimulated LH differed significantly between the two groups, and the LH cutoff values were ≥4.29 IU/L (p < 0.001) and ≥3.95 IU/L at 60 and 120 min, respectively (p < 0.001). LH peak was found at 60 min after stimulation. Conclusions: The GnRHa test is effective in distinguishing CPP from PT, and a single sampling, at 60 min, with LH concentrations above 4.29 may be the parameter of choice with the advantage of greater convenience and practicality.


2006 ◽  
Vol 134 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 305-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarina Mitrovic ◽  
Dragan Zdravkovic ◽  
Tatjana Milenkovic ◽  
Katarina Sedlecki ◽  
Zoran Stankovic

Introduction. Precocious puberty in girls is generally defined as appearance of secondary sexual characteristics before eight years of age. Menarche before the ninth birthday may serve as an additional criterion. Precocious puberty is divided in central precocious puberty and pseudoprecocious puberty. Central precocious puberty (GnRH dependent) occurs because of premature activation of hypothalamic-pituitarygonadal axis and activity of gonadotrophins. Pseudoprecocious puberty (GnRH independent) is caused by activity of sexual steroids that are not the result of gonadotrophin activity. Objective. Objective of our study was to examine the etiology, clinical and laboratory manifestations of isosexual pseudoprecocious puberty in girls. Method. In the period between 1995 and 2004, clinical and laboratory sings of 34 girls with precocious puberty were studied at the Endocrine Department of the Institute of Mother and Child Health Care of Serbia. Initial evaluations included height measurement, staging of puberty, bone age assessment and pelvic ultrasound. Important diagnostic sonographic parameters of precocious puberty were the volumes of ovaries and uterus as well as ovarian structure. The initial hormonal evaluation included measuring of plasma oestradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) stimulation test was used to evaluate LH and FSH responsiveness (60 ?g/m2 LHRH- Relefact LHRH?, Ferring). Blood samples were collected at 0, 20 and 60 minutes. Basal and GnRH stimulated LH and FSH were determined by immunoradiometric assay. Estradiol concentration was measured using the fluoroimmunometric assay. Results. Thirty-four girls aged 6 months to 9 years (mean age 4.5 years) with precocious puberty were studied during the period of 9 years. Eleven girls presented with breast development, six with vaginal bleeding and seventeen with signs of puberty. On the basis of clinical signs, bone age, estradiol levels and LHRH test, premature the larche was diagnosed in eleven patients (32.4%), premature menarche in six (17.6%) and central precocious puberty in ten girls (29.4%). Seven girls (20.6%) presented with pseudoprecocious puberty. Pelvic ultrasound examination revealed unilateral ovarian cysts in six patients and granulosa cell tumor in one. Elevated estrogen serum levels and failure of gonadotropin responses after gonadotropin releasing hormone were the classical findings in patients with isosexual pseudoprecocious puberty during the acute period of disease. In four patients, the cyst decreased spontaneously after several months, while in two patients, the cyst was removed by laparotomy. Surgical treatment was performed in a patient with granulosa cell tumor. Conclusion. Our work demonstrates that autonomous functional ovarian follicle cyst is the most often cause of isosexual pseudoprecocious puberty. Short period of observation is suggested because the cyst can resolve spontaneously. On the other hand, juvenile granulosa cell tumor, as highly malignant tumor, should be removed as soon as diagnosis is established.


Author(s):  
Victoria C Andriessen ◽  
Marissa Lightbourne ◽  
Chelsi Flippo ◽  
Fabio R Faucz ◽  
Angela Delaney ◽  
...  

Abstract Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in the blood is a major determinant of bioactivity for key sex steroids such as testosterone and estradiol. Low serum levels of SHBG have been associated with obesity, polycystic ovaries and metabolic syndrome, and other states associated with hyperandrogenemia. A 9-year, 6-month-old girl presented with a history of peripheral precocious puberty and aggressive behavior. The patient’s SHBG level was remarkably low for her age, at less than 5 nmol/L [reference range for a girl with a bone age of 10 years, 73 nmol/L (SEM= 10)](1). Upon genetic and protein analysis, the patient was found to have a homozygous missense potentially pathogenic variant in the SHBG gene (c.554 C&gt;T, p.P185L); her parents were asymptomatic heterozygote carriers. Laboratory investigations supported the possible involvement of this genetic alteration in the patient’s phenotype. Various analyses of this variant support its pathogenicity, although the exact mechanism remains unclear. In conclusion, we present a genetic SHBG variant in the homozygote state that may have been associated with gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty in a young girl.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 328-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsey B. Eitel ◽  
Erica A. Eugster

Objective: Pediatric endocrinologists (PEs) have historically read their own bone age (BA) X-rays based on the belief that radiologists do not accurately interpret these tests. Whether there are significant differences in BA interpretations between these two groups has not been systematically explored. The objectives of the study were to compare BA readings performed by PEs and radiologists and determine whether clinical variables were associated with discrepancies in readings. Methods: A retrospective chart review of children presenting for initial evaluation of short stature (SS) or precocious puberty (PP) who had a BA X-ray completed was performed. Clinical variables analyzed included age, gender, ethnicity, Tanner stage, body mass index, reason for referral, radiologist location (Children's vs. outside hospital), and PE and radiologist BA readings using the Greulich and Pyle method. Results: Of 103 patients aged 9 ± 3.66 years, there was a discrepancy between the PE and radiologist readings on 70 images (68%). Discrepancy ranged from −1.5 to 3.5 years, with a mean of 4 ± 12 months. Patients referred for PP were more likely to have discrepant interpretations than those referred for SS (8.4 months vs. 0.8 months; P = .007). No differences were seen in interpretations between in-house radiologists and those at outside hospitals. Conclusion: Radiologists interpreted BAs differently than PEs in the majority of images. In patients referred for PP, BAs were interpreted as being older by radiologists than by PEs, perhaps due to bias from the reason for referral. Our results provide support for continued independent BA interpretations by PEs. Abbreviations: BA = bone age; GP = Greulich and Pyle; PE = pediatric endocrinologist; PP = precocious puberty; SS = short stature


2006 ◽  
Vol 154 (6) ◽  
pp. 891-898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liat de Vries ◽  
Gadi Horev ◽  
Michael Schwartz ◽  
Moshe Phillip

Objective: To determine if uterine and ovarian measurements can significantly distinguish between precocious puberty (PP) and premature thelarche (PT) and whether ultrasound has any advantage over the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test. Design: Prospective. Methods: One hundred and three girls referred consecutively for evaluation of breast budding before age 8 years underwent physical examination, GnRH stimulation test, bone age assessment, and transabdominal pelvic ultrasound. The diagnosis of PP or PT was based on clinical judgment. The clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound data of the PP and PT groups were compared. Results: Eighty-one girls were diagnosed with PP and 22 with PT. Significant differences in most of the uterine and ovarian measurements were found between the groups. On logistic regression analysis, bone age standard deviation score, uterine transverse diameter, and uterine volume were the most significant variables predicting PP. Comparison of 30 girls with PP and 21 with PT in whom peak luteinizing hormone was <5 mIU/ml on the GnRH stimulation test, using analysis of variance, yielded significant differences in uterine width (P<0.001), fundus diameter (P <0.04), uterine volume (P= 0.006), and ovarian circumference (P <0.02). Conclusions: Increased uterine and ovarian measurements may be an early and sensitive sign of PP. Pelvic ultrasound, a noninvasive, inexpensive, and reliable tool, may give the clinician a complementary indication to the GnRH test in distinguishing isolated PT from early-stage PP in girls with early breast budding.


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