| Author/Editor | Bernasconi, S; Ghizzoni, L; Vottero, A; Zampolli, M; Volta, C; Onesti, T; Costa, M; Virdis, R | |
| Title | Premature pubarche: differential diagnosis, auxological features and clinical outcome | |
| Type | članek | |
| Source | Zdrav Vestn | |
| Vol. and No. | Letnik 63, št. Suppl 1 | |
| Publication year | 1994 | |
| Volume | str. I-33-I-35 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Abstract | Background. When occuring before 8 years of age in girls and before 9 years in boys, pubarche is considered premature. The etiology and some clinical characteristics of the disorder are presented. Hypersecretion of a pituary factor stimulating secretion of adrenal androgens, increased sensitivity of the hair follicles to androgens, and premature development of the adrenal zona reticularis with increased activity of the 17.20-desmolase which catalyses the conversion of 17 hydroxyprogesteron to androstendione are presented in this article as possible etiological factors of the so-called idiopathic premature pubarche. Increased incidence of polycystic ovarian syndrome in girls with premature pubarche, and the possibility of adrenal as well as ovarian androgen hypersecretion due to gonadotropin dependent mechanisms are also mentioned. Premature pubarche may also be a sign of nonclassical adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Therefore the hypersecretion of androstendione, and high frequency of 17 hydroxyprogesterone realease accompanied by relative nocturnal cortisol deficiency are examined as possible causes of precocious puberty. Transient acceleration of growth and bone maturation have no effect on the onset or progression of puberty or final height in children with premature pubarche. Conclusions. Though premature pubarche is usually benign and considered a variant of normal development careful follow-up of these patients is recommended. This is the only way for the cases of precocious puberty, and utirising tumors of adrenal or ovarian irigin, in all of which premature pubarche is one of the first signs, to be detected and treated in time. | |
| Descriptors | PUBERTY, PRECOCIOUS ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA, CONGENITAL CHILD |