The Effect of GnRH Analogs on Body Mass Index in Girls with Central Precocious Puberty: A Single-Center Retrospective Study with a Literature Review

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> 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. The administration of GnRH analogs (GnRH-a) has become a cornerstone in the management o...

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Main Authors: Ignazio Cammisa, Elena Malavolta, Federica Arzilli, Giulia Rotunno, Donato Rigante, Clelia Cipolla
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Children
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/336
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author Ignazio Cammisa
Elena Malavolta
Federica Arzilli
Giulia Rotunno
Donato Rigante
Clelia Cipolla
author_facet Ignazio Cammisa
Elena Malavolta
Federica Arzilli
Giulia Rotunno
Donato Rigante
Clelia Cipolla
author_sort Ignazio Cammisa
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> 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. 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. <b>Methods:</b> We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 34 girls 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. A comprehensive review of the medical literature concerning GnRH-a and BMI was performed. <b>Results:</b> Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon and McNemar tests revealed a significant increase in BMI-for-age <i>z</i>-scores after one year of GnRH-a, with a slight increase also observed one year post-treatment of CPP. These findings suggest that GnRH-a treatment contributes to an increase in BMI, particularly in CPP children with a normal weight at baseline, although the overall impact on the 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. <b>Conclusions:</b> Despite our findings suggesting the potential impact of GnRH-a on BMI, further longitudinal studies are necessary to fully understand the long-term metabolic consequences of GnRH-a therapy in children with CPP.
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spelling doaj-art-eeaaf62687b54317a7f2e5f32acf4db42025-08-20T03:43:36ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-03-0112333610.3390/children12030336The Effect of GnRH Analogs on Body Mass Index in Girls with Central Precocious Puberty: A Single-Center Retrospective Study with a Literature ReviewIgnazio Cammisa0Elena Malavolta1Federica Arzilli2Giulia Rotunno3Donato Rigante4Clelia Cipolla5Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00136 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00136 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00136 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00136 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00136 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00136 Rome, Italy<b>Background/Objectives:</b> 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. 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. <b>Methods:</b> We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 34 girls 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. A comprehensive review of the medical literature concerning GnRH-a and BMI was performed. <b>Results:</b> Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon and McNemar tests revealed a significant increase in BMI-for-age <i>z</i>-scores after one year of GnRH-a, with a slight increase also observed one year post-treatment of CPP. These findings suggest that GnRH-a treatment contributes to an increase in BMI, particularly in CPP children with a normal weight at baseline, although the overall impact on the 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. <b>Conclusions:</b> Despite our findings suggesting the potential impact of GnRH-a on BMI, further longitudinal studies are necessary to fully understand the long-term metabolic consequences of GnRH-a therapy in children with CPP.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/336central precocious pubertyGnRH analogbody mass indexweight gainmetabolismpediatrics
spellingShingle Ignazio Cammisa
Elena Malavolta
Federica Arzilli
Giulia Rotunno
Donato Rigante
Clelia Cipolla
The Effect of GnRH Analogs on Body Mass Index in Girls with Central Precocious Puberty: A Single-Center Retrospective Study with a Literature Review
Children
central precocious puberty
GnRH analog
body mass index
weight gain
metabolism
pediatrics
title The Effect of GnRH Analogs on Body Mass Index in Girls with Central Precocious Puberty: A Single-Center Retrospective Study with a Literature Review
title_full The Effect of GnRH Analogs on Body Mass Index in Girls with Central Precocious Puberty: A Single-Center Retrospective Study with a Literature Review
title_fullStr The Effect of GnRH Analogs on Body Mass Index in Girls with Central Precocious Puberty: A Single-Center Retrospective Study with a Literature Review
title_full_unstemmed The Effect of GnRH Analogs on Body Mass Index in Girls with Central Precocious Puberty: A Single-Center Retrospective Study with a Literature Review
title_short The Effect of GnRH Analogs on Body Mass Index in Girls with Central Precocious Puberty: A Single-Center Retrospective Study with a Literature Review
title_sort effect of gnrh analogs on body mass index in girls with central precocious puberty a single center retrospective study with a literature review
topic central precocious puberty
GnRH analog
body mass index
weight gain
metabolism
pediatrics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/3/336
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