ObjectiveGonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) are the treatment of choice for central precocious puberty (CPP) and have been widely used for several decades. We determined the effect of GnRHa treatment on the auxological outcomes of girls with idiopathic CPP.MethodsThis study included 84 girls treated monthly with depot leuprolide acetate who had reached adult height. We compared their final adult height (FAH) with their initial predicted adult height (PAH). We performed a multivariate analysis of the factors associated with FAH on all girls diagnosed with CPP.ResultsWe performed the final evaluations at a mean age of 14.1 ± 0.8 years after a mean treatment duration of 2.98 ± 0.73 years (ranging from 1.5–4.8 years). Menarche had occurred at 12.6 ± 0.6 years of age, which was 16.5 ± 6.1 months after discontinuation of GnRHa therapy. Mean FAH was 160.1 ± 5.0 cm, which was significantly higher than the initial PAH (156.1 ± 5.7 cm; P < 0.001). To investigate whether growth outcomes were influenced by the age at initial treatment, we divided all patients into two groups, those treated between 6 and 8 years (n = 23) and those treated after 8 years (n = 61); no significant differences were observed in FAH between the two groups. FAH was significantly and positively correlated with the height standard deviation score (SDS) at the end of treatment and with the target height, whereas the difference between bone age and chronological age at the start and end of treatment was negatively correlated with FAH.ConclusionFAH was significantly higher than the initial PAH in girls with CPP who were treated with GnRHa. Also, GnRHa treatment was still effective even after 8 years of age in girls with CPP.

PurposeType 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with autoimmune diseases such as thyroiditis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis in patients with type 1 DM.MethodsA total of 102 patients who were diagnosed and followed up (mean age, 8.1±4.0 years) in Ajou University Hospital were enrolled in this study. All the patients were evaluated for beta cell autoimmunity, including insulin autoantibody, glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA), and islet cell antibody. Moreover, autoantibodies to thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin were assessed at initial diagnosis and annually thereafter.ResultsThe mean patient age (49 men and 53 women) was 19.2±4.8 years. The prevalence of at least one thyroid antibody was 30.4%. Patients with thyroid anti­bodies had a significantly higher frequency of GADA at the time of the diagnosis. Autoimmune thyroiditis was more prevalent in the older age group. GADA was a significant risk factor for development of thyroid autoantibodies after diagnosis of type 1 DM (odds ratio, 4.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.399–14.153).ConclusionsIn patients with type 1 DM, the prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis was higher than in the general population. Moreover, GADA positivity at diagnosis was associated with thyroid autoimmunity.

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a notable and potentially lethal complication of thyrotoxicosis, and Graves’ disease is the most common cause of TPP. TPP is commonly reported in Asian males between 20–40 years of age, but it is rare in children and adolescents. We report 2 Korean adolescents (a 16-year-old male and a 14-year-old female) with episodes of TPP who were previously diagnosed with Graves’ disease. These 2 patients presented with lower leg weakness in the morning after waking up. They were diagnosed with TPP-associated with thyrotoxicosis due to Graves’ disease. After they were initially treated with potassium chloride and antithyroid drugs, muscle paralysis improved and an euthyroid state without muscle paralytic events was maintained during follow-up. Therefore, clinicians should consider TPP when patients have sudden paralysis and thyrotoxic symptoms such as goiter, tachycardia, and hypertension.