[Association of primary hypothyroidism with preconcious puberty. Presentation of clinical case and the effect of acute inhibition of thyrotropin on the gonadal activity].

An 8 2/12 year-old girl with acquired primary hypothyroidism and precociuos puberty is described. Thyroid hormone treatment resulted in the regression of the sexual development, but moderate asymptomatic papilledema appeared as a result of therapy. Serial vaginal smears and measurements of urinary estrogen excretion during acute thyrotropin (TSH) inhibition with 75 mug/day of triiodthyronine (T3), showed a rapid drop in ovaric estrogen production up to prepubertal stage at 17 days of T3 administration. Moreover, a group of children with untreated hypothyroidism was followed through the first 3 to 12 months of thyroid therapy and none developed signs of increased intracranial pressure. These findings as well as the possible pathophysiology involved in this association are discussed.