There has been considerable disagreement regarding the most appropriate dosage of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist in cases of central precocious puberty. The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate dosage for suppression of the puberty in girls with central precocious or early puberty.

Twenty-two girls with early puberty were randomly subjected to 3 types of dosages of leuprolide acetate for at least 6 months. The number of cases in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 7, 7, and 8, and dosages were 70, 90, and 110 µg/ kg/-month, respectively. Height, weight, bone age, Tanner stage of breast development, and serum levels of LH, FSH, estradiol, and progesterone were measured before treatment and after 6 months of treatment. The number of cases of puberty suppression was compared using a modified puberty suppression score with a nonparametric chi-square test.

There were no significant differences of chronologic and bone ages among the groups. There was a significant decrease in height SDS gain after 6 months in group 3 ( P <0.05) compared with groups 1 and 2. Serum levels of LH, FSH, estradiol and progesterone were all significantly decreased after treatment in all 3 groups ( P <0.05). The number of cases of puberty suppression in each group were 4 (57%), 5 (71%), and 8 (100%). There was a significantly increased proportion of suppression of puberty in group 3 ( P <0.05).

It was necessary to use a higher dose of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist to suppress early puberty in girls; however further longitudinal study will be needed for their prognosis of final adult height.