Trends in Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty Among Girls Treated at the Main Paediatric Endocrinology Unit in Latvia

Abstract

The development of precocious puberty is multifactorial, influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, including excessive weight gain, dietary habits, sleep duration and quality, and other lifestyle-related factors. Post-COVID-19 pandemic studies have reported an increased incidence of precocious puberty in children, which may be partly due to the rapid weight gain observed during the pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate trends in idiopathic central precocious puberty among female patients managed at the main paediatric endocrinology unit in Latvia, with a focus on health-care utilisation, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic approaches, as well as to explore potential differences before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This retrospective cross-sectional study included 27 female patients with idiopathic central precocious puberty. The median age at first visit was 7.9 years (IQR 1.7). The most common presenting secondary sexual characteristic was breast development, observed in 26 patients (96%). No statistically significant differences were identified in BMI-for-age percentiles across the study years ( p = 0.396). However, a significantly longer delay in seeking medical care was observed in the post-COVID period (median = 12 months, IQR 6), compared with the pre-COVID period (median = 6 months, IQR 7) ( p = 0.035). This study demonstrates stable trends in the development of idiopathic central precocious puberty in girls treated at the main paediatric endocrinology centre in Latvia, with clinical features remaining largely unchanged over time. However, a significantly longer delay in seeking medical evaluation was observed in the post–COVID period (median 12 months, IQR 6) compared with the pre–COVID period (median 6 months, IQR 7) ( p = 0.035). The study results show that trends and clinical features of precocious puberty in girls remain largely unchanged over time. However, the longer delay in seeking medical attention after the pandemic could reflect insufficient recognition of signs of precocious puberty at the primary care level, limited access to paediatric endocrinology consultations, or long waiting times for diagnostic tests.