Acupuncture Improving Early Sexual Development of Girls with Peripheral Precocious Puberty: A Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE: To study primarily on the effect of acupuncture on breast Tanner stage, serum sex hormone level, and TCM symptom scores in girls with peripheral precocious puberty (PPP). METHODS: 19 eligible patients diagnosed with PPP received acupuncture intervention for 12 weeks, twice a week for 12 weeks, 24 sessions of acupuncture treatment in all, and then follow-up for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) level, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level, and breast Tanner stage at 12-week treatment and 12-week follow-up. Serum estradiol (E2) level and TCM symptom scores were also assessed. RESULTS: Nineteen patients with peripheral precocious puberty were treated with acupuncture. After the 12-week acupuncture intervention, the serum LH level, breast Tanner stage, and TCM symptom scores decreased significantly compared with baseline (P < 0.05); the serum FSH and E2 level did not change significantly after the 12-week treatment (P > 0.05). After the 12-week follow-up, breast Tanner stage and TCM symptom scores decreased significantly compared with baseline (P < 0.05), and there was no statistical difference between serum sex hormone (LH, FSH, and E2) level and baseline level (P > 0.05). During the period of acupuncture treatment, no side effects or serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture is effective in regulating the hormone level and controlling early development process. It may be a viable alternative to the treatment of peripheral precocious puberty in girls. However, further randomized controlled trials are needed.