High incidence of central precocious puberty in a bounded geographic area of northwest Tuscany: An estrogen disrupter epidemic?

References

• Parent AS, Teilmann G, Juul A, Skakkebaek NE, Toppari J, Bourguignon JP. The timing of normal puberty and the age limits of sexual precocity: variations around the world, secular trends, and changes after migration. Endocr Rev 2003;24:668–693.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Traggiai C, Stanhope R. Disorders of pubertal development. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2003;17:41–56.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Rosenfield RL, Bachrach LK, Chernausek SD, Gertner JM, Gottschalk M, Hardin DS, Pescovitz OH, Saenger P. Current age of onset of puberty. Pediatrics 2000;106:622–623.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Ritzen EM. Early puberty: what is normal and when is treatment indicated? Horm Res 2003;60(3 Suppl):31–34.
   Google Scholar
• Gonzalez ER. For puberty that comes too soon, new treatment highly effective. J Am Med Assoc 1982;248: 1149-1151,1155.
   Google Scholar
• Lee PA, Guo SS, Kulin HE. Age of puberty: data from the United States of America. APMIS 2001;109:81–88.
   Google Scholar
• Bridges NA, Christopher JA, Hindmarsh PC, Brook CG. Sexual precocity: sex incidence and aetiology. Arch Dis Child 1994;70:116–118.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Klein KO. Precocious puberty: who has it? Who should be treated? J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1999;84:411–414.
   Google Scholar
• Teilmann G, Juul A, Skakkebaek NE, Toppari J. Putative effects of endocrine disrupters on pubertal development in the human. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2002; 16:105–121.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Krstevska-Konstantinova M, Charlier C, Craen M, Du Caju M, Heinrichs C, de Beaufort C, Plomteux G, Bourguignon JP. Sexual precocity after immigration from developing countries to Belgium: evidence of previous exposure to organochlorine pesticides. Hum Reprod 2001;16:1020–1026.
   Google Scholar
• Proos LA, Hofvander Y, Tuvemo T. Menarcheal age and growth pattern of Indian girls adopted in Sweden. I. Menarcheal age. Acta Paediatr Scand 1991;80:852–858.
   Google Scholar
• Proos LA, Hofvander Y, Tuvemo T. Menarcheal age and growth pattern of Indian girls adopted in Sweden. II. Catch-up growth and final height. Indian J Pediatr 1991;58:105–114.
   Google Scholar
• Virdis R, Street ME, Zampolli M, Radetti G, Pezzini B, Benelli M, Ghizzoni L, Volta C. Precocious puberty in girls adopted from developing countries. Arch Dis Child 1998;78: 152–154.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Partsch CJ, Sippell WG. Pathogenesis and epidemiology of precocious puberty. Effects of exogenous oestrogens. Hum Reprod Update 2001;7:292–302.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Safe SH. Environmental and dietary estrogens and human health: is there a problem? Environ Health Perspect 1995; 103:346–351.
   Google Scholar
• Toppari J, Larsen JC, Christiansen P, Giwercman A, Grand-jean P, Guillette LJ Jr, Jegou B, Jensen TK, Jouannet P, Keiding N, et al. Male reproductive health and environmental xenoestrogens. Environ Health Perspect 1996;104: 741–803.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Weidner IS, Moller H, Jensen TK, Skakkebaek NE. Cryp-torchidism and hypospadias in sons of gardeners and farmers. Environ Health Perspect 1998;106:793–796.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Birnbaum LS, Fenton SE. Cancer and developmental exposure to endocrine disruptors. Environ Health Perspect 2003;111:389–394.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Prinsac GS, Birch L, Habermann H, Chang WY, Tebeau C, Putz 0, Bieberich C. Influence of neonatal estrogens on rat prostate development. Reprod Fertil Dev 2001;13:241–252.
   Google Scholar
• Nagao T, Yoshimura S, Saito Y, Nakagomi M, Usumi K, Ono H. Reproductive effects in male and female rats from neonatal exposure to p-octylphenol. Reprod Twcicol 2001; 15:683–692.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Putz 0, Schwartz CB, Kim S, LeBlanc GA, Cooper RL, Prins GS. Neonatal low- and high-dose exposure to estradiol benzoate in the male rat: I. Effects on the prostate gland. Biol Reprod 2001;65: 1496–1505.
   Google Scholar
• McPherson SJ, Wang H, Jones ME, Pedersen J, Iismaa TP, Wreford N, Simpson ER, Risbridger GP. Elevated androgens and prolactin in aromatase-deficient mice cause enlargement, but not malignancy, of the prostate gland. Endocrinology 2001;142:2458–2467 .
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Santti R, Newbold RR, Makela S, Pylkkanen L, McLachlan JA. Developmental estrogenization and prostatic neoplasia. Prostate 1994;24:67–78.
   Google Scholar
• Risbridger GP, Bianco JJ, Ellem SJ, McPherson SJ. Oestro-gens and prostate cancer. Endocr Relat Cancer 2003;10:187–191.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hesselvik L. Signs of sexual precocity in a male infant due to estrogenic ointment. Acta Paediatr 1952;41:177–185.
   Google Scholar
• Prouty M. Gynecomastia with pigmentation in a four year old male following stilbestrol exposure. Pediatrics 1952;9:55–57.
   Google Scholar
• Cook CD, Mcarthur JW, Berenberg W. Pseudoprecocious puberty in girls as a result of estrogen ingestion. N Engl J Med 1953;248:671–674.
   Google Scholar
• Green M. Gynecomastia and pseudo-precocious puberty following diethylstilbestrol exposure. AMA J Dis Child 1958; 95:637–639.
   Google Scholar
• Beas F, Vargas L, Spada RP, Merchak N. Pseudoprecocious puberty in infants caused by a dermal ointment containing estrogens. J Pediatr 1969;75:127–130.
   Google Scholar
• Ramos AS, Bower BF. Pseudoisosexual precocity due to cosmetic ingestion. J Am Med Assoc 1969;207:368–369.
   Google Scholar
• Edidin DV, Levitsky LL. Prepubertal gynecomastia associated with estrogen-containing hair cream. Am J Dis Child 1982;136:587–588.
   Google Scholar
• Tiwary CM. Premature sexual development in children following the use of estrogen- or placenta-containing hair products. Chin Pediatr 1998;37:733–739.
   Google Scholar
• Weber WW, Grossman M, Thom JV, Sax J, Chan jj, Duffy MP. Drug contamination with diethylstilbestrol. Outbreak of precocious puberty due to contaminated isonicocinic acid hydrazide (INH). N Engl J Med 1963;268:411–415.
   Google Scholar
• Fara GM, Del Corvo G, Bernuzzi S, Bigatello A, Di Pietro C, Scaglioni S, Chiumello G. Epidemic of breast enlargement in an Italian school. Lancet 1979;2:295–297.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kimball AM, Hamadeh R, Mahmood RA, Khalfan S, Muhsin A, Ghabrial F, Armenian HK. Gynaecomastia among children in Bahrain. Lancet 1981;1:671–672.
   Google Scholar
• Pasquino AM, Balducci R, Manca Bitti ML, Spadoni GL, Boscherini B. Transient pseudo-precocious puberty by prob-able oestrogen intake in 3 girls. Arch Dis Child 1982; 57:954–956.
   Google Scholar
• Freni-Titulaer LW, Cordero JF, Haddock L, Lebron G, Martinez R, Mills JL. Premature thelarche in Puerto Rico. A search for environmental factors. Am J Dis Child 1986;140:1263–1267.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Nizzoli G, Del Corm G, Fara GM, Chiumello G. Gynaeco-mastia and premature thelarche in a schoolchildren population of northern Italy. Acta Endocrinol 1986;279:227–231.
   Google Scholar
• Zimmerman PA, Francis GL, Poth M. Hormone-containing cosmetics may cause signs of early sexual development. Mil Med 1995;160:628–630.
   Google Scholar
• Scaglioni S, Di Pietro C, Bigatello A, Chiumello G. Breast enlargement at an Italian school. Lancet 1978;1:551–552.
   Google Scholar
• Loizzo A, Gatti GL, Macri A, Moretti G, Ortolani E, Palazzesi S. Italian baby food containing diethylstilbestrol: three years later. Lancet 1984;1:1014–1015.
   Google Scholar
• Perez-Comas A. Premature sexual development in Puerto Rico. Bol Asoc Med P R 1988;80:85–90.
   Google Scholar
• Saenz de Rodriguez CA, Bongiovanni AM, Conde de Borrego L. An epidemic of precocious development in Puerto Rican children. J Pediatr 1985;107:393–396.
   Google Scholar
• Larriuz-Serrano MC, Perez-Cardona CM, Ramos-Valencia G, Bourdony CJ. Natural history and incidence of premature thelarche in Puerto Rican girls aged 6 months to 8 years diagnosed between 1990 and 1995. P R Health Sci J 2001;20:13–18.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Van Winter JT, Noller KL,, Zimmerman D, Melton ij 3rd. Natural history of premature thelarche in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1940 to 1984. J Pediatr 1990;116: 278–280.
   Google Scholar
• Schoental R. Precocious sexual development in Puerto Rico and oestrogenic mycotoxins (zearalenone). Lancet 1983;1: 537.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Colon I, Caro D, Bourdony CJ, Rosario 0. Identification of phthalate esters in the serum of young Puerto Rican girls with premature breast development. Environ Health Perspect 2000;108:895–900.
   Google Scholar
• Solomon GM, Mott L. Trouble on the farm: Growing up with pesticides in agricultural communities. New York: Natural Resources Defense Council; 1998.
   Google Scholar
• Ross Z, Kaplan J. Poisoning the air: airborne pesticides in California. San Francisco (CA): California Public Interest Research Group Charitable Trust; 1998.
   Google Scholar
• Walker B, Wiles R, Hettenbach T, Campbell C, Davies K. What you don't know could hurt you: Pesticides in California's air. Washington, DC: Environmental Working Group; 1999.
   Google Scholar
• Simcox NJ, Fenske RA, Wolz SA, Lee IC, Kalman DA. Pesticides in household dust and soil: exposure pathways for children of agricultural families. Environ Health Perspect 1995;103:1126–1134.
   Google Scholar
• Baker LW, Fitzell DL, Seiber JN, Parker TR, Shibamoto T, Poore MW, Longley KE, Tomlin RP, Propper R, Duncan DW. Ambient concentrations of pesticides in California. Environ Sci Technol 1996;30:1365–1368.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lewis RG, Fortmann RC, Camann DE. Evaluation of methods for monitoring the potential exposure of small children to pesticides in the residential environment. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 1994;26:37–46.
   Google Scholar
• Bradman MA, Harnly ME, Draper W, Seidel S, Teran S, Wakeham D, Neutra R. Pesticide exposures to children from California's Central Valley: results of a pilot study. J Expo Anal Environ Epidemiol 1997;7:217–234.
   Google Scholar
• Eskenazi B, Bradman A, Castorina R. Exposures of children to organophosphate pesticides and their potential adverse health effects. Environ Health Perspect 1999;107:409–419.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pescovitz OH, Comite F, Cassorla F, Dwyer AJ, Poth MA, Sperling MA, Hench K, McNemar A, Skerda M, Loriaux DL, et al. True precocious puberty complicating congenital adrenal hyperplasia: treatment with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog. J Chin Endocrinol Metab 1984; 58:857–861.
   Google Scholar
• Hochberg Z, Schechter J, Benderly A, Leiberman E, Rosler A. Growth and pubertal development in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 114-hydroxylase deficiency. Am J Dis Child 1985;139: 771–776.
   Google Scholar
• Kukuvitis A, Matte C, Polychronakos C. Central precocious puberty following feminizing right ovarian granulosa cell tumor. Horm Res 1995;44:268–270.
   Google Scholar
• Pasquino AM, Tebaldi L, Cives C, Maciocci M, Boscherini B. Precocious puberty in the McCune-Albright syndrome. Progression from gonadotrophin-independent to gonadotro-phin-dependent puberty in a girl. Acta Paediatr Scand 1987;76:841–843.
   Google Scholar
• Boepple PA, Frisch LS, Wierman ME, Hoffman WH, Crowley WF Jr. The natural history of autonomous gonadal function, adrenarche, and central puberty in gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty. J Chin Endocrinol Metab 1992;75:1550–1555.
   Google Scholar
• Grumbach MM, Styne DM. Puberty: ontogeny, neuroendo-crinology, physiology and disorders. In: Wilson JD, Foster DW, Kronenberg OM, Larsen PR, editors. Williams's text-book of endocrinology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 1998. pp 1509–1625.
   Google Scholar
• Wickman S, Dunkel L. Inhibition of P450 aromatase enhances gonadotropin secretion in early and midpubertal boys: evidence for a pituitary site of action of endogenous E. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001;86:4887–4894.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Parent AS, Krstevska-Konstantinova M, Matagne V, Gerard A, Lebrethon MC, Charlier C, Bourguignon JP, the Belgian Study Group for Paediatric Endocrinology. Endocrine dis-rupter contribution to sexual precocity: suggestive detection of pesticide derivatives in patients immigrant to Belgium and estradiol stimulation of GnRH pulsatility in rat hypothalamus. Pediatric Res 2001;49:139A.
   Google Scholar
• Gore AC. Organochlorine pesticides directly regulate gonado-tropin-releasing hormone gene expression and biosynthesis in the GT1-7 hypothalamic cell line. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2002;192:157–170.
   Google Scholar
• Adiyarnan P, Berberoglu M, Aycan Z, Evliyaoglu 0, Ocal G. Seckel-like syndrome: a patient with precocious puberty associated with nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2004;17: 105–110.
   Google Scholar
• Dacou-Voutetakis C, Karidis N. Congenital adrenal hyper-plasia complicated by central precocious puberty: treatment with LHRH-agonist analogue. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1993;687: 250–254.
   Google Scholar
• Soliman AT, AlLamki M, AlSalmi I, Asfour M. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia complicated by central precocious pub-erty: linear growth during infancy and treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog. Metabolism 1997; 46:513–517.
   Google Scholar
• Maesaka H, Suwa S, Tachibana K, Katsumata N. Prolonged activation of hypothalamo—pituitary—ovarian axis during early infancy in female patients with salt-losing 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Pediatr Res 1985;19:1258–1262.
   Google Scholar
• Lim YJ, Batch JA, Warne GL. Adrenal 21-hydroxylase deficiency in childhood: 25 years' experience. J Paediatr Child Health 1995;31: 222–227.
   Google Scholar
• Speiser PW. Transient central precocious puberty in non-classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 1995;8:287–289.
   Google Scholar