Clinical, biochemical and gender characteristics of 97 prepubertal children with premature adrenarche

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Santos Silva, R (Author) FMUP; Costa, C (Author) FMUP; C Correia (Author) FMUP; Fontoura M (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism

Vol. 32 No. 3

Pages: 1247-1252

ISSN: 0334-018X

Publisher: Walter De Gruyter

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 4 Citations

Scopus - 5 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00R-3W7

DOI: 10.1515/jpem-2019-0185

Abstract (EN): Background: Premature adrenarche (PA) is defined as the appearance of clinical signs of androgen action associated with levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DIIEAS) >= 40 mu g/dL, before age 8 years in girls and 9 years in boys, without breast or testicular enlargement. The aim of this study was to characterize a population of prepubertal Caucasian children with PA and to compare them with regard to gender and body mass index (BMI) (normal BMI vs. overweight/obesity). Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of Portuguese Caucasian prepubertal children followed, due to PA, in pediatric endocrinology clinics of a university hospital. Results: Eighty-two girls and 15 boys were included (mean age at evaluation: 7.4 +/- 1.3 years). The mean birth weight was 2990 +/- 689 g; only two children were small for gestational age. Girls presented premature pubarche at a younger age (median [interquartile range (IQR)] 6 (5-6) years vs. 7 (7-8) years in boys; p <0.001). No gender differences were found for gestational age, birth weight, maternal age at menarche, anthropometry, bone age advancement or androgen levels. The majority of the subjects were overweight or obese (59%). Overweight/obese PA children were taller and had a more advanced bone age than normal-BMI PA children. Overweight/obese children presented higher levels of DHEAS and androstenedione. Bone age advancement and DHEAS were correlated (r= 0.449; p = 0.05). Conclusions: We found no evidence of reduced fetal growth. Girls presented premature pubarche at a younger age. No major gender differences in androgen levels were found in prepuberty. Obese and overweight PA children tend to be taller, have a more advanced bone age and higher levels of androgens than normal-BMI PA children.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6