Mini-puberty is the physiological and transient activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis occurring during the first months after birth. In preterm infants, the hormonal surge is more pronounced and longer-lasting than in at-term-peers. To date, only few cases of vaginal bleeding in the setting of an exaggerated mini-puberty have been reported. At the corrected age of 3 months, an ex-very-preterm girl presented with breast enlargement and recurrent vaginal bleeding. A remarkable increase in gonadotropins and estradiol levels was detected, while pelvic ultrasound highlighted a large right ovarian cyst. As brain and pituitary MRI showed negative findings, an exaggerated mini-puberty was suspected and no additional investigations were undertaken. The subsequent progressive regression of clinical, biochemical and sonographic findings confirmed the diagnosis. Although exaggerated mini-puberty of infancy in ex-preterm girls is a rare event, it is important to raise knowledge of this para-physiological condition in order to avoid unnecessary investigations and treatment.

Lattuada, M., Molinari, S., Nicolosi, M., Doni, D., Lui, C., Passoni, P., et al. (2022). Exaggerated mini-puberty in a preterm girl: a case report and review of literature. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM, 35(10), 1309-1315 [10.1515/jpem-2022-0179].

Exaggerated mini-puberty in a preterm girl: a case report and review of literature

Lattuada, Martina;Molinari, Silvia;Nicolosi, Maria Laura
;
Polizzi, Serena;Ocello, Laura;Evasi, Veronica;Calia, Margherita;Gustuti, Violante;Cattoni, Alessandro
2022

Abstract

Mini-puberty is the physiological and transient activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis occurring during the first months after birth. In preterm infants, the hormonal surge is more pronounced and longer-lasting than in at-term-peers. To date, only few cases of vaginal bleeding in the setting of an exaggerated mini-puberty have been reported. At the corrected age of 3 months, an ex-very-preterm girl presented with breast enlargement and recurrent vaginal bleeding. A remarkable increase in gonadotropins and estradiol levels was detected, while pelvic ultrasound highlighted a large right ovarian cyst. As brain and pituitary MRI showed negative findings, an exaggerated mini-puberty was suspected and no additional investigations were undertaken. The subsequent progressive regression of clinical, biochemical and sonographic findings confirmed the diagnosis. Although exaggerated mini-puberty of infancy in ex-preterm girls is a rare event, it is important to raise knowledge of this para-physiological condition in order to avoid unnecessary investigations and treatment.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
mini-puberty; newborn; ovarian cyst
English
9-ago-2022
2022
35
10
1309
1315
none
Lattuada, M., Molinari, S., Nicolosi, M., Doni, D., Lui, C., Passoni, P., et al. (2022). Exaggerated mini-puberty in a preterm girl: a case report and review of literature. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM, 35(10), 1309-1315 [10.1515/jpem-2022-0179].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/391288
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