OBJECTIVE—To assess the efficacy of a longeracting preparation of the gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH)analogue goserelin (Zoladex LA, 10.8 mg) in 12 girls with centralprecocious or early puberty. METHODS—Two girls started treatment de novo;the remainder had been on suppressive treatment for a median durationof 1.5 (range, 0.2-5.6) years. Assessment comprising auxology,pubertal staging, and pelvic ultrasound examination was carried out atweeks 0,4, 8, 10, and 12 (first cycle) and weeks 8, 10, and 12 (second cycle) to evaluate the required injection frequency. Thereafter, assessment was performed on the day of injection. Zoladex LA was givenevery 12 weeks unless pubertal progression occurred. RESULTS—Satisfactory control was achieved in eightpatients using this regimen, and three patients required more frequentinjections. One girl was removed from the study because of clinicalprogression and extreme mood swings. No serious adverse effectsoccurred. Mean height velocity during the study period was 4.5 cm/year(range, 3.1-6.6) compared with 6.5 cm/year (range, 3.8-9.6) beforetreatment in nine patients for whom data were available. CONCLUSIONS—Zoladex LA was effective incontrolling precocious puberty in girls when given at intervals of9-12 weeks and it is recommended that an initial assessment is madeeight weeks after beginning treatment.
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