Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Central Precocious Puberty: a Retrospective Cohort Study from Turkey
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Central Precocious Puberty: a Retrospective Cohort Study from Turkey
Objective: This study investigates the clinical and demographic characteristics of girls diagnosed with central precocious puberty (CPP) in the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods to assess potential changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients admitted to the Pediatric Endocrinology Departments of two centers in Turkey. Girls treated with GnRH analogs between March 2018 and 2022 were categorized into two groups: the pre-pandemic group (2018-2020) and the pandemic group (2020-2022). Clinical, anthropometric, and hormonal data were analyzed. Patients with organic lesions, genetic conditions, or medications affecting puberty were excluded.
Inclusion Criteria (Who Can Participate?)
Girls: Tanner stage ≥2 before age 8 peak LH > on gnrh analog test, basal Lh >0,3
Patients with organic lesions (e.g., hypothalamo-pituitary tumors), congenital malformations, oncological diseases, neurosurgical or genetic disorders, or medications affecting puberty were excluded from the study