Adult height after spontaneous pubertal growth or GnRH analog treatment in girls with early puberty: a meta-analysis

Early puberty (EP) has been defined as the onset of puberty in the low-normal range; it may be a cause for concern regarding a possible impairment of adult height (AH). This paper meta-analysed data on AH after spontaneous growth or after gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog treatment in girls with EP. A computerized literature search was conducted from 1980 to June 30, 2016. Only published studies in English were considered. Eight papers were selected (483 cases). In untreated girls (n = 300), predicted adult height (PAH) at start of follow-up (â0.559 SDS (95%CI â1.110 to 0.001); P = 0.050) was close to mid-parental height (MPH) (â0.557 SDS (95%CI â0.736 to â0.419); P < 0.0001) and AH (â0.663 SDS (95%CI â0.803 to â0.524); P < 0.0001). In GnRH analog treated girls (n = 183), PAH before the start of treatment was slightly reduced (â0.939 SDS (95%CI â1.401 to â0.477; P < 0.0001) vs MPH (â0.678 SDS (95%CI â0.942 to â0.414); P < 0.0000), but AH (â0.604 SDS (95%CI â0.877 to â0.338); PÂ