[Short-term comparison of the treatment of precocious puberty with 2 different LHRH antagonists (buserelin and long-acting triptorelin). An endocrinologic and echographic study].

To compare the short term effects of a short (Buserelin, 1800 micrograms/day as nasal spray) and a long acting (Triptorelin Depot, 3.75 mg/every 4 weeks i.m.) LHRH agonist, LH and FSH (LHRH test and 2 hours spontaneous rhythm during the morning and during the evening), estradiol and pelvic ultrasonography were evaluated in 12 children (1 boy, mean age 8.24 +/- 1.39 years, mean bone age 9.39 +/- 1.76 years) with early puberty before and after 1 and 2 months of treatment. Informed consent was obtained in all the cases. 6 patients started with Buserelin and 6 with Triptorelin. The therapeutic regimen was crossed over after 2 months of treatment and 2 more months of treatment withdrawal. The results indicate that while in both groups FSH values decreased significantly already from the last month of treatment, patients treated with Triptorelin showed a later LH decrease (significant only after 2 months of treatment). A decrease of pelvic structures volume was however evident only in patients treated with Triptorelin. After 2 months of treatment estradiol levels lowered (but not significantly) in both group. In conclusion despite a later LH decrement, patients treated with the long acting analogue showed however a more evident reduction of pelvic organs volume.