Evaluation of the COVID-19 pandemic process effect on the increase of Precocious Puberty and Premature Thelarche

Abstract

Objective :To determinate COVID-19 pandemic process effect on the increase of Precocious Puberty and Premature Thelarche Material and Methods: Total 60 girls, younger than 8 years old, who complaint with breast development. Medical history and physical examination findings, bone age, free T4, TSH, FSH, LH, estradiol levels of patients were recorded in their first visits. According to LHRH test results patients were divided to subgroups such as PT and CPP. Differences in the use of technological tools were recorded before and during the pandemic Results: Higher Body Mass Index (BMI) (P=0.033), bone age (P<0.001) basal LH (P<0.001), basal FSH (P<0.001), basal estradiol (P<0.001) in cases with central puberty precocious level was detected. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of age and weight. Compared to the pre-pandemic period, there was a significant increase in the use of technological tools (smartphone, computer, television) in both groups. In cases with PT, it was 2.54 ±0.65 hours/day before the pandemic and 6.22±1.25 hours/day during the pandemic (p<0.001), in cases with Spp it was 2.7 ±0.46 hours/day before the pandemic, 7.36±1.36 hours/day during the pandemic (p<0.001). The main reason for using technological tools was school lessons (4.6 ± 1.2 hours/day in cases with Pt, 5±1.2 hours/day in cases with Spp p =0.393). Conclusion: In our study, it was observed that there was a significant increase in the use of technological devices and puberty symptoms started at a younger age in both groups after the pandemic. It was thought that environmental factors such as weight and increased use of electronic devices triggered the onset of puberty and the rate of progression.