Premature thelarche. Natural history and etiologic investigation
J. L. Mills, P. D. Stolley, J. Davies and T. Moshang Jr
The natural history of premature thelarche was investigated by contacting
46 patients with previously diagnosed cases. Palpable breast tissue had
persisted for at least three to five years in 57% of these girls. Only 11%
reported that the breasts had continued to enlarge. Those cases in which
breast tissue had been present at birth and persisted were significantly
more likely to have progressive enlargement. Comparing the cases with
matched control subjects showed no relationship between premature thelarche
and maternal obstetrical problems, exposure to medications, diet, or
prenatal infections. Girls with premature thelarche were no more likely
than control subjects to have other sexual or medical problems develop
during the period of follow-up.
