Gonadotrophin-independent precocious puberty; female and male

GnRH-independent precocious puberty (GIPP) is defined as pubertal signs at an age younger than the reference range mostly caused by autonomous secretion of sex steroids by the gonads or the adrenal gland. The etiology of GIPP may vary by the gender of the child and is categorized into either congenital/genetic or acquired disorders. The main symptoms in girls are breast development and vaginal discharge or bleeding and in boys early pubic hair development, an enlarged penis, with rapid growth, tall stature. Laboratory studies will reveal elevated levels of sex steroids and suppressed levels of gonadotropins. Depending on the etiology treatment may require a medical (anti-androgens, anti-estrogens, and aromatase inhibitors) or a surgical approach. In this article the clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures and treatment options are summarized.

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