الفهرس 
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Abstract
Puberty is a complex, coordinated developmental stage through which children mature and develop secondary sexual characteristics, reproductive capacity and somatic growth. It may have a great psychological and social effects, especially when maturation occurs earlier than the expected time. Some studies have found that precocious puberty results in psychosocial distress and behavioral problems in children with negative impact on their quality of life, while others have reported normal behavior and psychosocial function in children with early puberty. This work aimed at studying some behavioral and psychosocial aspects and quality of life in children with central precocious puberty (CPP) attending the pediatric endocrine clinic at Alexandria University Children’s Hospital. The current study was conducted on thirty children with CPP and thirty healthy control children of matched age and sex.
In the CPP group, twenty nine patients (96.7%) were females. Their age ranged from two to nine and half years with mean 5.13 ± 2.34 years. Positive family history was present in 6.7% of the cases. Height SD of the cases were significantly higher than controls. The most common presenting symptom was isolated breast enlargement (50%) followed by combined breast enlargement and pubic hair growth in 26.7% of patients. Only six patients presented with menarche combined with breast enlargement and pubic hair growth.
Brain MRI was done for all patients. Majority of girls had idiopathic form of CPP (72.4%). Only eight girls (27.6%) had organic CPP. Hypothalamic hamartoma was the most common CNS lesion detected in our patients (62.5%). Bone age was advanced in 21 patients (70%). Ultrasound pelvis showed pubertal changes of uterus and ovaries only in 16 patients (53.3%).
Anthropometric measurements and physical changes of puberty were assessed at baseline and at follow up 1 year after treatment with GnRH analogue. There was significant reduction in the height SD. physical changes of puberty using Tanner staging revealed regression in breast growth, pubic hair growth and stoppage of menses during follow up showing statistically significant differences.
We used the following instruments for assessment of both cases and control groups: Child behavior checklist (CBCL) for psychological assessment, The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory versio