Comparison of Continuous Versus Intermittent Administration of Triptorelin on the Final Height of Girls with Idiopathic Precocious Puberty

Abstract

Background: It has long been reported that gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs can improve final height of patients with idiopathic precocious puberty (IPP). This study aimed at comparing 2 different doses of GnRH agonist, triptorelin, on the adult height of girls with IPP. Methods: From July 2013, sixteen girls with IPP were randomly divided to 2 groups. The first Group received 1 intramuscular injection of triptorelin 0.3 mg/kg of body weight on a monthly basis, and the second group received this at months 1 to 6, 10 to 15, and 19 to 24. They did not receive triptorelin at months 7 to 9 and 16 to 18. Results: Patients in Group 1 received a total of 7.2 mg/kg of triptorelin during a 2-year follow up while the Group 2 received 5.4 mg/kg triptorelin or about 39.6 mg less than the other group during the same period of follow up. No side effects were noted in Group 2 receiving lower dose of triptorelin, yet, 2 cases with gray hair and 1 case with mild rash were reported in the group receiving the higher dose. No statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups regarding height after 2 years. Conclusions: Treatment of IPP can be performed with triptorelin doses of less than 0.3 mg/kg per month, with the same height increment and lower side effects.