PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY: EPIDEMIOLOGY, CLINICAL PRESENTATION, DIAGNOSIS, AND ETIOLOGIES

Precocious puberty, defined as the onset of sexual characteristics before the age of 8 in girls and 9 in boys, can arise from various causes, including central and peripheral mechanisms. While central precocious puberty (CPP) originates from premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, peripheral precocious puberty (PPP) results from gonadal or adrenal hormone secretion independent of hypothalamic control. We conducted a retrospective study spanning eight years, from 2015 to 2023, at the Mohamed 6 University Hospital in Marrakech, Morocco, to investigate the epidemiological, clinical findings, laboratory, and etiological aspects of precociuos puberty in 12 children. We found a predominance of CPP, particularly in girls, with breast development being the most common clinical sign. In boys, early puberty typically presented with pubic hair development and increased penile size. Diagnostic evaluation included hormonal assays and imaging studies, with elevated levels of gonadal hormones confirming the diagnosis. CPP was predominantly idiopathic in girls, while traumatic brain injury and CNS lesions were common causes in boys. Adrenal disorders, including congenital adrenal hyperplasia, accounted for PPP cases. Brain imaging was crucial for identifying central lesions, while adrenal imaging aided in diagnosing adrenal pathologies. Despite limitations such as retrospective design and incomplete data, our study emphasizes the importance of early recognition and appropriate diagnostic procedures for children showing signs of early puberty to optimize management and outcomes.