Hypothalamic hamartoma in an infant presenting as precocious puberty

Abstract

ABSTRACT Precocious puberty refers to the emergence of secondary sexual traits before the typical age for children of the same gender and race. It is classified into gonadotropin-dependent precocious puberty (GDPP) and gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty (GIPP) based on the underlying pathologic process. GDPP is caused by premature activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, while GIPP results from excessive sex hormone synthesis from the gonads or adrenal glands. This report presents a case of GDPP in a female toddler. The patient exhibited symptoms of precocious puberty as early as 3 months of age and was subsequently diagnosed with hypothalamic hamartoma. This case report represents one of the earliest documented instances of menarche in the medical literature, occurring at an exceptionally young age due to a central etiology.