An 8-year-old girl develops breast buds, pubic hair, and axillary hair. Her bone age is 11 years and GnRH stimulation test shows a pubertal LH response. What is the TREATMENT OF CHOICE?
- A Testosterone supplementation
- B Aromatase inhibitor
- C GnRH agonist (depot leuprolide) ✓
- D Observation only as it is normal for girls
Correct answer: C. GnRH agonist (depot leuprolide)
Explanation
Precocious puberty in girls is defined as development of secondary sexual characteristics before 8 years of age. The pubertal LH response to GnRH confirms central (gonadotropin-dependent) precocious puberty, most commonly idiopathic in girls. GnRH agonists (e.g., depot leuprolide) suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis by downregulating GnRH receptors, halting pubertal progression and preserving final adult height by preventing premature epiphyseal closure. Aromatase inhibitors are used in peripheral precocious puberty.
Reference: Ghai Essential Pediatrics, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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