Changes in Body Mass Index in girls with central precocious puberty after treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists

Cao Thi Huong, Nguyen Ngoc Khanh, Do Cam Thanh, Nguyen Thi Hang, Vu Chi Dung

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Abstract

Central precocious puberty (CPP) is a common disorder in girls, and treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists may affect body mass index (BMI). This retrospective study of 205 young females with CPP treated with triptorelin at the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital (June 2021 – June 2024) aimed to evaluate changes in BMI and BMI-for-age z-scores (BMIZ) during the first treatment year. The mean age at diagnosis was 7.3 ± 0.9 years old, with 91.7% aged 6 – 8 years old; at baseline, 50.7% were overweight/obese. Mean BMI increased from 17.75 to 18.45 and median BMIZ from 1.09 to 1.34 after 12 months (BMI: p < 0.001; BMIZ: p = 0.002). In the normal-BMI group (n = 91), BMIZ increased linearly from months 3 – 12 (F = 24.319; p < 0.001), with 25% shifting to overweight/obese. In the overweight group (n = 70), BMI remained stable during the first 3 months and then increased significantly from month 6 (F = 16.048; p < 0.001). In the obese/severely obese group (n = 34), BMI decreased slightly at first and then stabilized with minimal change (F = 2.715; p = 0.034). GnRH treatment increases BMI, particularly in children with normal weight; therefore, nutritional monitoring and management are required throughout the treatment period.

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References

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