scholarly journals Sedentary lifestyle and precocious puberty in girls during COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian experience

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Chioma ◽  
Carla Bizzarri ◽  
Martina Verzani ◽  
Daniela Fava ◽  
Mariacarolina Salerno ◽  
...  

Objective: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate children observed for suspected precocious puberty in 5 Italian centers of Pediatric Endocrinology during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic (March- September 2020), compared to subjects observed in the same period of the previous year. Design: The study population (490 children) was divided according to year of observation and final diagnosis: transient thelarche (TT), non-progressive precocious puberty (NPP), central precocious puberty (CPP), or early puberty (EP). Results: Between March and September 2020, 338 subjects were referred for suspected precocious puberty, compared to 152 subjects in the same period of 2019 (+222%). The increase was observed in girls (328 subjects in 2020 versus 140 in 2019, p<0.05), especially during the second half of the period considered (92 girls from March to May versus 236 girls from June to September); while no difference was observed in boys (10 subjects in 2020 versus 12 in 2019). The percentage of girls with confirmed CPP was higher in 2020, compared to 2019 (135/328 girls [41%] versus 37/140 [26%], p<0.01). Anthropometric and hormonal parameters in 2019 and 2020 CPP girls were not different; 2020 CPP girls showed a more prolonged use of electronic devices and a more sedentary lifestyle both before and during the pandemic, compared to the rest of the 2020 population. Conclusions: The present findings corroborate the recently reported association between the complex lifestyle changes related to the lockdown and a higher incidence of central precocious puberty in Italian girls.

2014 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. E647-E651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Settas ◽  
Catherine Dacou-Voutetakis ◽  
Maria Karantza ◽  
Christina Kanaka-Gantenbein ◽  
George P. Chrousos ◽  
...  

Context: Central precocious puberty (CPP), defined as the development of secondary sex characteristics prior to age 8 years in girls and 9 years in boys, results from the premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Mutations in the imprinted gene MKRN3 have been recently implicated in familial cases of CPP. Objective: The objective of the study was to uncover the genetic cause of CPP in a family with two affected siblings. Design and participants: The entire coding region of the paternally expressed MKRN3 gene was sequenced in two siblings, a girl with CPP and her brother with early puberty, their parents, and their grandparents. Results: A novel heterozygous missense variant in the MKRN3 gene (p.C340G) was detected in the two affected siblings, their unaffected father, and the paternal grandmother. As expected, the mutated allele followed an imprinted mode of inheritance within the affected family. In silico analysis predicts the mutation as possibly damaging in all five software packages used. Furthermore, structural alignment of the ab initio native and mutant MKRN3 models predicts that the p.C340G mutation leads to significant structural perturbations in the 3-dimensional structure of the C3HC4 really interesting new gene motif of the protein, further emphasizing the functional implications of the novel MKRN3 alteration. Conclusions: We report a novel MKRN3 mutation (p.C340G) in a girl with CPP and her brother with early puberty. MKRN3 alterations should be suspected in all cases with familial CPP or early puberty, especially if male patients are also involved or the precocious puberty trend does not follow the usually observed mother-to-daughter inheritance.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-De Lin ◽  
Chi-Fung Cheng ◽  
Chung-Hsing Wang ◽  
Wen-Miin Liang ◽  
Chien-Hsiun Chen ◽  
...  

Objective: To investigate the genetic characteristics of idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) and validate its polygenic risk for early puberty. Design and methods: A bootstrap subsampling and genome-wide association study was performed on Taiwanese Han Chinese girls comprising 321 ICPP patients and 148 controls. Using previous GWAS data on pubertal timing, a replication study was performed. A validation group was also investigated for the weighted polygenic risk score (wPRS) of the risk of early puberty. Results: A total of 105 SNPs for the risk of ICPP were identified, of which 22 yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.713 for the risk of early puberty in the validation group. A replication study showed that 33 SNPs from previous GWAS data of pubertal timing were associated with the risk of ICPP (training group: P-value < 0.05). In the validation group, a cumulative effect was observed between the wPRS and the risk of early puberty in a dose-dependent manner [validation group: Cochran-Armitage trend test: P-value < 1.00E-04; wPRS quartile 2 (Q2) (odds ratio [OR] = 5.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5516.16), and wPRS Q3 (OR = 11.67, 95% CI: 2.4455.83)]. Conclusions: This study reveals the ICPP genetic characteristics with 22 independent and 33 reported SNPs in the Han Chinese population from Taiwan. This study may contribute to understand the genetic features and underlying biological pathways that control pubertal timing and pathogenesis of ICPP and also to the identify of individuals with a potential genetic risk of early puberty.


Author(s):  
Sezer Acar ◽  
Behzat Özkan

Abstract Objectives Recent studies have demonstrated an increase in the frequency of idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP) during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) pandemic. We compared the demographic, anthropometric, and clinical characteristics of idiopathic CPP patients diagnosed during a one-year period of the COVID-19 pandemic with the characteristics of patients diagnosed during the same period in the previous three-years. Methods Demographic, clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory data of all patients diagnosed in our Pediatric Endocrinology clinic with idiopathic CPP during a one-year period of the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020–March 2021) and a three-year period before the pandemic (April 2017–March 2020) were evaluated retrospectively. Results A total of 124 patients (124 girls, zero boys) diagnosed with idiopathic CPP were included in this study. Sixty-six patients in the three-year period before the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2017–March 2020) and 58 patients (46.8%) in the one-year period during the COVID-19 pandemic period (April 2020–March 2021) were diagnosed with idiopathic CPP. Conclusions This study’s findings suggest that the number of girls diagnosed with idiopathic CPP during the one-year study period during the pandemic was more than double that of any of the previous three-years.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xueling Yin ◽  
Junqi Wang ◽  
Tianting Han ◽  
Zhang Tingting ◽  
Yuhong Li ◽  
...  

Background: Central precocious puberty (CPP) is one of the most common and complex problems in clinical pediatric endocrinology practice. Mutation of the MKRN3 gene can cause familial CPP.Methods and Results: Here we reported a Chinese patient bearing a novel MKRN3 mutation (c.G277A/p.Gly93Ser) and showing the CPP phenotype. Functional studies found that this mutation of MKRN3 attenuated its autoubiquitination, degradation, and inhibition on the transcriptional activity of GNRH1, KISS1, and TAC3 promoters.Conclusion: MKRN3 (Gly93Ser) is a loss-of-function mutation, which attenuates the inhibition on GnRH1-related signaling, suggesting that this mutant can lead to central precocious puberty.


1995 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
pp. 403-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liora Lazar ◽  
Rivka Kauli ◽  
Celia Bruchis ◽  
Jardena Nordenberg ◽  
Avinoam Galatzer ◽  
...  

Lazar L, Kauli R, Bruchis C, Nordenberg J, Galatzer A, Pertzelan A. Early polycystic ovary-like syndrome in girls with central precocious puberty and exaggerated adrenal response. Eur J Endocrinol 1995;133:403–6. ISSN 0804–4643 Exaggerated adrenal response (ExAR), i.e. hypersecretion of both 17-hydroxypregnenolone (170HPreg) and 17-hydroxyprogesterone(17OHP) in response to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation, is frequently found in women with polycystic ovary (PCO) syndrome who had precocious adrenarche. In an earlier study we found an abnormal adrenal response in girls with idiopathic true central precocious puberty (CPP) at early stages of puberty. On follow-up it was noted that a significant number of girls with CPP develop PCO-like syndrome at a relatively young age. The aim of the present study was to determine if there is an association between ExAR and early PCO in girls with a history of CPP. Included were 49 girls with a history of CPP, 34 of whom were treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog. All 49 were evaluated at full maturity, at ages 12.5–14 years, 0.5–4 years after menarche or resumption of menses. Of the 49 girls, 20 had at least 3/4 clinical signs of PCO (irregular menses, hirsutism, acne and obesity) and were defined as PCOlike+, whereas 29 did not fulfil the criteria and were considered PCO-like -. Girls with a definite enzyme deficiency were excluded from the study. All participants underwent a combined iv ACTHGnRH test at early follicular phase. The PCO-like + girls all revealed ExAR, i.e. an elevated stimulated 17OHPreg of 63.4 ± 9.6 nmol/l (normal 28.6 ± 9.2 nmol/l) and a normal stimulated 17OHPreg/ 17OHP ratio of 7.1 ± 1.8 (normal 6.2 ± 2.7), whereas all the PCO-like – had a normal adrenal response (30.0 ±8.7 and 5.3 ± 2.0 nmol/l, respectively). Compared to the PCO-like – girls, those with PCO-like± had significantly higher levels of testosterone (1.8 ± 0.7 vs 1.0 ± 0.5 nmol/l; p < 0.001), androstenedione (6.6 ±3.2 vs 4.7 ± 1.8 nmol/l; p < 0.02) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (7.8 ± 4.7 vs 4.2 ± 2.5 μmol/l; p < 0.004), and a trend toward inappropriate luteinizing hormone secretion. The prevalence of ExAR (40.8%) in the mature CPP girls (confined to only PCO-like ±) was similar to that previously found by us in another group of girls with CPP at early puberty (44.6%). In conclusion, our findings indicate that the pattern of adrenal response remains unchanged from early puberty to adulthood and is probably inherent. As only the girls with CPP who developed early PCO syndrome showed ExAR, it is suggested that ExAR in early puberty may serve as a predictive marker for the eventual development of PCO. A Pertzelan, Institute of Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology, Children's Medical Center of Israel, Beilinson Medical Campus, Kaplan Street, Petah Tiqva 49202, Israel


2012 ◽  
Vol 55 (10) ◽  
pp. 388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung Won Park ◽  
Seung-Tae Lee ◽  
Young Bae Sohn ◽  
Sung Yoon Cho ◽  
Se-Hwa Kim ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul B. Kaplowitz ◽  
Philippe F. Backeljauw ◽  
David B. Allen

The use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHa) for the treatment of central precocious puberty (CPP), especially in girls, has increased rapidly in recent years. In the context of a secular trend towards earlier puberty onset, many girls now treated for CPP are healthy children experiencing puberty onset within the early end of the normal range. Justifications for GnRHa treatment include the preservation of adult height (AH) potential and the alleviation of presumed distress of early maturation and menarche. With a case of a family requesting treatment for an 8-year-old girl in early puberty as a background, studies of the effect of untreated CPP and of GnRHa treatment of CPP on AH are reviewed. In addition, the limited evidence relating CPP to significant psychological distress – in part due to early menses, and for the amelioration of such distress by GnRHa treatment – is discussed. Taken together, current information suggests that for girls with mildly early onset of puberty (ages 7–9 years), an informed assent discussion with the family should include the consideration of reassurance and observation for many girls who might otherwise receive 2–4 years of GnRHa treatment for a poorly defined benefit and at a cost of at least $20–30,000 per year.


Author(s):  
L. Tatò ◽  
M.O. Savage ◽  
F. Antoniazzi ◽  
F. Buzi ◽  
S. Di Maio ◽  
...  

AbstractGnRHa have been used in the treatment of central precocious puberty (CPP) for a decade and some final results of this therapy are now available. Treatment preserves height potential in younger patients and a complete recovery of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis occurs at the end of treatment. However, some aspects of the management of CPP are still debated. Probably the age limits between normal and precocious puberty have to be lowered, and new diagnostic tools will modify and simplify diagnostic criteria. The possibility of progression of premature thelarche into precocious puberty, the pathogenesis of organic and idiopathic precocious puberty, the criteria for decision to treat and to stop treatment and the utility of an association with GH treatment will be better understood in the future. Follow-up of patients after stopping therapy includes frequency and characteristics of menses, the possible higher incidence of polycystic ovary-like syndrome and the correct achievement of a normal peak bone mass and body composition. In this review we discuss some of these points, with particular attention to precocious puberty in girls.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Ting Chen ◽  
Linqi Chen ◽  
Haiying Wu ◽  
Rongrong Xie ◽  
Fengyun Wang ◽  
...  

Background. Central precocious puberty (CPP) is defined by gonadotropin-dependent development of secondary sexual characteristics before the age of 8 years in girls and 9 years in boys. MKRN3 and DLK1 are two genes, disease-causing variants of which have recently been discovered to cause idiopathic CPP. Methods. We screened 173 Chinese patients (9 males and 164 females; 9 familial and 164 sporadic) with ICPP and 43 patients (9 males and 34 females; 3 familial and 40 sporadic) with early puberty for variants in MKRN3. We also screened 19 patients with ICPP and early puberty for variants of DLK1 (17 males and 2 females; 5 familial and 14 sporadic). Results. We identified four novel missense variants of MKRN3, c.1138G > A (p.Glu380Lys), c.1420T > A (p.Leu474Met), c.673C > G (p.Leu225Val), and c.1071C > G (p.Ile357Met) in two sporadic cases and three familial cases. According to ACMG standards, two MKRN3 variant (p.Glu380Lys and p.Ile357Met) are likely pathogenic, and two others are of uncertain significance. We also performed bioinformatic analysis to evaluate the impact of variants on MKRN3 protein structures, which showed that Ile357Met locates at the zinc-binding region (C3HC4 RING finger motif), while Glu380Lys is spatially extremely close to the C3HC4 RING finger, MKRN-specific Cys-His domain, and the third C3H1 zinc-finger motif region. Per Glu380Lys, Glu with negative charges has been changed into Lys with positive charges, which may affect the hydrogen bond formation between amino acids and the stability of the local structure, thus affecting the binding of zinc iron to MKRN3 protein. Besides, we did not identify any variants of DLK1 gene in our patients. Conclusions. In this study, we report four novel MKRN3 variants in patients with ICPP. Moreover, we did not find any variants of DLK1 gene. Variants of MKRN3 are relatively uncommon in Chinese ICPP patients.


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