The effect of treatment with an LH-RH agonist (Buserelin) on gonadal activity growth and bone maturation in children with central precocious puberty

Twenty-five children (23 girls and 2 boys) with central precocious puberty were treated with the LH-RH agonistD-Ser (TBU)6-LHRH (1–9) EA (HOE) 766, Buserelin) by daily subcutaneous injection for a period of 11–18 months. Eight girls and 2 boys previously treated with cyproterone acetate (CPA, 100–150 mg/m2 body surface per day) and the first seven newly diagnosed patients received 2×10 μg Buserelin/kg bodyweight per day for 1 week, followed by a maintenance therapy of 1×10 μg/kg per day. After an initial marked increase, oestrogen (E2) serum levels in girls and testosterone (T) values in boys decreased. After a treatment period of 6–20 weeks the patients received 2×20 μg Buserelin/kg per day for 1 week and thereafter a maintenance dosage of 20 μg/kg per day to obtain full suppression (i.e. E2<50 pmol/l; T<1 nmol/l). The remaining eight patients started directly on 2×20 μg Buserelin/kg per day followed by 1×20 μg/kg per da