ESPE Abstracts

Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) stops premature sexual maturation in young children and preserve the potential of achieving acceptable adult height.

Aim: To assess the efficacy of long acting GnRHa in suppressing early pubertal development and its impact on height outcome in our patient population.

Methods: Records of children treated with GnRHa since 2018 at Hull University Hospital; UK were reviewed. Predicted adult height was calculated using the GrowthXP Endo electronic toolkit.

Results: GnRHa were given to 18 children, 12(67%) for precocious puberty (Group A), and 6(33%) in an attempt to optimise target adult height potential. All children were females. Mean age (years) at start of treatment was 7.6 ±1.2, and 9.8 ±0.75 for group A and B respectively. Group A duration of treatment (years) was 1.8±0.79 compared to 1.37±0.87 in group B. Within group A, mean difference between bone and actual age was 1.4±0.8 years. In both groups, 11 (61%) of the children had initial low dose 11.25mg Triptorelin injection followed by 22.5 mg dose, while 39% started on the 22.5 mg dose. Before and after treatment height difference (cm) was 131.8±2.9 Vs 139.2±10.7 (P< 0.001) in group A and 132.6±3.2 Vs 137.5±4.7 (P<0.001) group B. Predicted adult height Difference (cm) was 170.8±2.5 Vs 171.4±8 in group A (P<0.001) and 157.6±4.7 Vs 158.7±5.2 (P<0.001) in group B. Predicted adult height (cm) was higher at the end of treatment (161.2±7.7 Vs 160.7±7.1 P=0.001). The treatment was universally tolerated well by our patients.

Conclusion: When commenced before 10 years of age, long acting GnRHa treatment increased potential height growth for girls treated for precocious puberty in our population.