Purpose: We analysed the spectrum of diagnoses made in a consecutive group of children referred for signs of precocious puberty and evaluated the clinical and endocrinologic characteristics.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of 375 children (365 girls and 10 boys) referred for evaluation of signs of precocious puberty between January 2003 and May 2007 was done.
Results: The conditions causing precocious puberty were early puberty (36.3%), true precocious puberty (30.4%), premature thelarche (29.1%), pseudo-precocious puberty (3.7%), and premature pubarche (0.5%). Among girls, there were differences in the age of onset of puberty (premature thelarche, 5.4±2.6 years vs. true precocious puberty, 6.9±1.1 years vs. early puberty, 8.6±0.5 years). True precocious puberty girls showed higher height SDS (standard deviation score), weight SDS, BMI (body mass index) percentile, basal FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone) and estradiol, more accelerated growth velocity and bone age than those with premature thelarche. True precocious puberty patients showed higher height SDS, weight SDS, and more bone age advancement when compared to those with early puberty. Later onset (＞2 years) premature thelarche appeared in 89 girls (81.7% of premature thelarche) at 6.4±1.6 years, and among 42 patients followed-up, 8 girls developed true precocious puberty later.
Conclusion: Common conditions causing precocious puberty are early puberty, true precocious puberty, and premature thelarche. Although premature thelarche may be regarded as a benign condition, true precocious puberty can develop in some patients, so careful follow-up will be needed.
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