Efficacy of leuprolide therapy in children with central precocious puberty
M. S. Kappy, T. Stuart and A. Perelman
Children's Health Center of St Joseph's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ 85013.
Eight girls with central precocious puberty were treated with the
long-acting gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue leuprolide acetate
(Lupron) for a period of six to 18 months. Suppression of gonadotropin and
estradiol secretion and regression of secondary sexual characteristics and
menses were observed while patients received a subcutaneous dose of 35 to
40 micrograms/kg/d. Growth velocity was slowed in all but one patient, and
the rate of skeletal maturation was slowed even more, resulting in a
stabilization or improvement in predicted adult height. There were no major
side effects. Although the long-term effects of leuprolide therapy cannot
be determined with this study, it appears to be efficacious in the
treatment of central precocious puberty.
