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Review
. 2022 Aug 9;35(10):1309-1315.
doi: 10.1515/jpem-2022-0179. Print 2022 Oct 26.

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

Martina Lattuada  1 , Silvia Molinari  1 , Maria Laura Nicolosi  1 , Daniela Doni  2 , Cristina Lui  2 , Paolo Passoni  3 , Serena Polizzi  3 , Laura Ocello  1 , Veronica Evasi  1 , Margherita Calia  1 , Violante Gustuti  1 , Alessandro Cattoni  1
Affiliations
Review

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

Martina Lattuada et al. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. .

Abstract

Objectives: 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.

Case presentation: 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.

Conclusions: 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.

Keywords: mini-puberty; newborn; ovarian cyst.

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References

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