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Follow up of growth and steroids in premature adrenarche

  • Endocrinology
  • Original Paper
  • Published:
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Abstract

In a follow up study of 34 patients with premature adrenarche we examined serum adrenal androgen levels and growth. The majority (28/34) showed an upward bend in the growth curve which, at the mean age of 2.3 years, preceded other signs of adrenarche on average by 3.8 years. Pubertal growth spurt was missing or reduced in 50% of the patients (8/16), however, final height did not differ from that expected from parental heights. Adrenal androgens did not remain elevated at adolescence. The mean age at menarche for all the girls was 0.5 years younger than in the general population.

Conclusion

Our findings imply that premature adrenarche may start earlier than previously recognized. Compared to ordinary growth these children seen to use a greater part of their potential for adult height already at that early age.

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Abbreviations

ΔA :

androstenedione

DHEA :

dehydroepiandrosterone

DHEAS :

dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate

EHSDS :

parent-specific expected height standard deviation score

FH :

final height

FHSDS :

final height standard deviation score

ICP :

infancy-childhood-puberty

PA :

premature adrenarche

PH :

pubic hair stage

SDS :

standard deviation score

SHBG :

sex hormone-binding globulin

T :

testosterone

%Wt :

relative weight expressed as the percentage deviation from the median weight for height and sex

17-OHP :

17-hydroxyprogesterone

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, FIN-00290, Helsinki, Finland

    A. Pere & J. Perheentupa

  2. Department of Paediatrics, University of Kiel, D-24105, Kiel, Germany

    M. Peter

  3. Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, FIN-00290, Helsinki, Finland

    R. Voutilainen

  4. Department of Paediatrics, University of Kuopio, FIN-70211, Kuopio, Finland

    R. Voutilainen

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  1. A. Pere
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  2. J. Perheentupa
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  3. M. Peter
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  4. R. Voutilainen
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Pere, A., Perheentupa, J., Peter, M. et al. Follow up of growth and steroids in premature adrenarche. Eur J Pediatr 154, 346–352 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02072100

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02072100

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