[High intake of phytoestrogens and precocious thelarche: case report with a possible correlation].

Abstract

Precocious thelarche is the breast development before 8 years of age with two peaks of incidence during the first two years of life and after 6 years of age. A 4.75-year-old girl presented with thelarche associated to an excessive intake of phytoestrogens (phye). Tanner development B2P1-2, hormonal levels and pelvic US were compatible with peripheral precocious puberty. During follow-up, a daily intake of soy-based foods was observed (> 40 mg phye/day). Soy is rich in phytoestrogens, mainly genistein and daidzein. Although phye are less strong than estradiol, its concentration could be from 13,000 to 22,000 times stronger in children fed only by soy-based formulas. Parents were advised and soy intake was reduced to once a week. Progression of pubertal development ceased at B2-3P1. The patient, now 8.66 years old, keeps growing with similar bone and chronological ages. Some questions related to industrial food security, mainly the soy-based food, remain without precise answer. Although it is well known the entity of non-progressive precocious puberty and premature thelarche, pubertal development in this case was strongly related to excessive daily intake of soy and other phye-rich food that could trigger puberty as endocrine disruptor.

• Authors: Erika M Fortes, Marta I Malerba, Paulo D Luchini, Eduardo K Sugawara, Larissa Sumodjo, Luciane M Ribeiro Neto, Ieda T N Verreschi
• Journal: Arquivos brasileiros de endocrinologia e metabologia (Arq Bras Endocrinol Metabol) Vol. 51 Issue 3 Pg. 500-3 (Apr 2007) ISSN: 0004-2730 [Print] Brazil
• Vernacular Title: Ingestão excessiva de fitoestrógenos e telarca precoce: relato de caso com possível correlação.
• PMID: 17546252 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Endocrine Disruptors
• Phytoestrogens

Topics

• Breast (drug effects, growth & development)
• Child, Preschool
• Endocrine Disruptors (adverse effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Phytoestrogens (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Puberty, Precocious (chemically induced)
• Soy Foods (adverse effects)
• Soybeans