Background/Objectives: Central precocious puberty (CPP) is defined by the premature onset of secondary sexual characteristics prior to the age of 8 and 9 years in girls and boys, respectively, due to early activation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. The administration of GnRH analogs (GnRH-a) has become a cornerstone in the management of CPP, but effects on metabolic processes, particularly body mass index (BMI), remain a subject of ongoing investigation. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between GnRH-a treatment and BMI changes in a cohort of Italian children with CPP. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 34 children diagnosed with idiopathic CPP, all treated with GnRH-a. Anthropometric parameters including BMI were collected at three time points: baseline, one year after treatment, and one year after treatment cessation. Moreover, a comprehensive review of the medical literature concerning GnRH-a and BMI was performed. Results: Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon and McNemar tests revealed a significant increase in BMI-for-age z-scores after one year of GnRH-a, with a slight increase observed also one year post-treatment of CPP. These findings suggest that GnRH-a treatment contributes to increase BMI, particularly in CPP children with normal weight at baseline, although the overall impact on progression of obesity remains minimal. A review of the existing literature supports the notion that changes in BMI during GnRH-a treatment are influenced by various factors, including baseline BMI, gender, and metabolic processes. Conclusions: Despite our findings suggested a potential impact of GnRH-a on BMI, further longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to fully understand the long-term metabolic consequences of GnRH-a therapy in children with CPP.

Cammisa, I., Malavolta, E., Arzilli, F., Rotunno, G., Rigante, D., Cipolla, C., The effect of GnRH analogs on body mass index in girls with central precocious puberty: a single-center retrospective study with literature review, <<CHILDREN>>, 2025; 2025 (12(3):336): 1-14. [doi:10.3390/children12030336] [https://hdl.handle.net/10807/309638]

The effect of GnRH analogs on body mass index in girls with central precocious puberty: a single-center retrospective study with literature review

Cammisa, Ignazio;Malavolta, Elena;Arzilli, Federica;Rotunno, Giulia;Rigante, Donato;Cipolla, Clelia
2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Central precocious puberty (CPP) is defined by the premature onset of secondary sexual characteristics prior to the age of 8 and 9 years in girls and boys, respectively, due to early activation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. The administration of GnRH analogs (GnRH-a) has become a cornerstone in the management of CPP, but effects on metabolic processes, particularly body mass index (BMI), remain a subject of ongoing investigation. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between GnRH-a treatment and BMI changes in a cohort of Italian children with CPP. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 34 children diagnosed with idiopathic CPP, all treated with GnRH-a. Anthropometric parameters including BMI were collected at three time points: baseline, one year after treatment, and one year after treatment cessation. Moreover, a comprehensive review of the medical literature concerning GnRH-a and BMI was performed. Results: Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon and McNemar tests revealed a significant increase in BMI-for-age z-scores after one year of GnRH-a, with a slight increase observed also one year post-treatment of CPP. These findings suggest that GnRH-a treatment contributes to increase BMI, particularly in CPP children with normal weight at baseline, although the overall impact on progression of obesity remains minimal. A review of the existing literature supports the notion that changes in BMI during GnRH-a treatment are influenced by various factors, including baseline BMI, gender, and metabolic processes. Conclusions: Despite our findings suggested a potential impact of GnRH-a on BMI, further longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to fully understand the long-term metabolic consequences of GnRH-a therapy in children with CPP.
2025
Inglese
Cammisa, I., Malavolta, E., Arzilli, F., Rotunno, G., Rigante, D., Cipolla, C., The effect of GnRH analogs on body mass index in girls with central precocious puberty: a single-center retrospective study with literature review, <<CHILDREN>>, 2025; 2025 (12(3):336): 1-14. [doi:10.3390/children12030336] [https://hdl.handle.net/10807/309638]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10807/309638
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