The prevalence of obesity and presence of low birth weight (LBW) were evaluated retrospectively in 96 children with premature pubarche (PP), from which 90 cases of premature adrenarche were selected. Information on BW was found in 46 charts, and 5 prematures were excluded. Tanner stages, body mass index (BMI), presence of acanthosis nigricans and bone age (BA) were evaluated. Obesity was considered when BMI > the 95th percentile and overweight when BMI > the 85 and <95 percentiles. After a six-month follow-up, the BMI of 62 patients was reeva luated. The results showed that BA was higher than chronological age (7.9±1.97 x 7.0±1.7 years, p<0.001). 70% of the sample showed pubic hair in Tanner II stage in and 31% had acanthosis nigricans. The BW was 3,168.2±528.2g. In 12% of the cases a history of LBW was present, a result not different from the general population (10%). No correlation was found between BMI and BW. Obesity was observed in 31% and overweight in 19% of the cases. BMI increased after follow-up (18±3.0 x 19.4±3.5kg/m², p=0.008). The prevalence of obesity was higher in children with PP than in the Brazilian population (31% x 15%, p<0.02). In conclusion, although excess weight is a common finding in PP, birth weight is normal. It is remarkable that these children must be stimulated to lose weight, since PP and obesity are associated with a higher risk for policystic ovary and plurimetabolic syndromes in adulthood.
Obesity; Low birth weight; Premature pubarche
