Associations of Size at Birth and Postnatal Catch-up Growth Status With Clinical and Biomedical Characteristics in Prepubertal Girls With Precocious Adrenarche: Preliminary Results

Context: The causes of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in girls with precocious adrenarche (PA) remain unclear. Objective: Our goal was to compare the clinical, biochemical, and ultrasound characteristics of girls with PA whose size at birth was appropriate for gestational age (AGA) vs those born small for gestational age (SGA). PCOS-associated metabolic and morphological correlates were examined. Design: Glucose tolerance, ACTH stimulation, and transabdominal ultrasounds were examined in 56 AGA and 31 SGA girls with PA. Bone age and hormonal profiles were determined. SGA girls were divided into 2 groups by catch-up growth (CUG) status. Subgroups were compared. Results: Chronological age, Tanner stage for pubarche, ovarian volume, and uterine volume were similar between the groups. SGA girls had lower body mass index and higher bone age-adjusted post-corticotropin cortisol. We found increased body mass index-adjusted mean serum insulin, reduced insulin sensitivity, and reduced IGF-binding protein-1 in SGA girls. Multicystic ovaries were more common in SGA girls (odds ratio [OR] = 9.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.34–28.15; P < .001). SGA girls without CUG had a higher incidence of multicystic ovaries than CUG counterparts (OR = 8.4, 95% CI = 1.4–19.3; P = .027). Being born SGA (OR = 43.4, 95% CI = 6.9–84.7; P = .001] and exaggerated 17-hydroxyprogesterone response (OR = 15.8, 95% CI = 1.7–49.8; P = .015) were associated with multicystic ovaries. Conclusions: Significant differences in hormone levels, insulin sensitivity, and ovarian maturity were found in prepubertal girls with PA who were SGA. Longitudinal follow-up will help determine whether these factors contribute to a specific PCOS phenotype in SGA girls with PA.

Reduced atherogenic indices in prepubertal girls with precocious adrenarche born appropriate for gestational age in relation to the conundrum of DHEAS

Context An association between low birth weight, insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidemia, and atherogenesis has been shown in girls with precocious adrenarche (PA). Objective To evaluate whether girls with PA born appropriate for gestational age (AGA) have increased risk for metabolic complications at initial evaluation. Design/methods We conducted a cross-sectional study on 69 AGA born girls with PA (mean (±s.d.) age 7.1±1 years) and 45 body mass index (BMI)- and waist circumference (WC)-matched prepubertal peers born AGA (mean (±s.d.) 7.5±1.9 years). A standard 2-h oral glucose tolerance test with insulin sampling was performed. Fasting plasma lipids and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were analyzed, and blood pressure was recorded. Insulin sensitivity (IS) index (ISIcomp), homeostasis model assessment of IR, and atherogenic index (AI) (triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) were calculated. Setting The study was performed at University Hospital. Results AI was significantly lower in girls with PA than in controls (P<0.001), and it was correlated with BMI SDS (r=0.44, P=0.001) and WC (r=0.39, P=0.001). The significant correlation of AI with ISIcomp (r=−0.38, P=0.001) disappeared after correcting for BMI (r=−0.185, P=0.16). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that DHEAS was the only significant parameter influencing AI in girls with born AGA (R 2=0.475 β=−0.018, P=0.0001). Conclusions Metabolic screening in prepubertal AGA born girls with PA may yield favorable lipid profiles. AI in girls with PA is increased in relation to decreasing IS and increasing BMI and WC. DHEAS seems to have the most significant effect on AI.