Abstract: Central precocious puberty results from the premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Rarely congenital adrenal hyperplasia and/or its inappropriate treatment can be a peripheral cause of CPP. There are very few case reports of this etiology. Chronic mildly to moderately elevated adrenal androgens or intermittent hyperandrogenemia in congenital adrenal hyperplasia may trigger the precocious activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, leading to CPP. In the current work, we describe 6 cases of late diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia associated with central precocious puberty. Central precocious puberty seems to be a complication of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, particularly in countries where a routine neonatal screening program for this condition is lacking. It is unclear whether these patients could avoid central precocious puberty development if the congenital adrenal hyperplasia was diagnosed in the neonatal period and appropriately treated. The current work underlines the need for congenital adrenal hyperplasia neonatal screening implementation and further investigation of the association of these two endocrine disorders.

Keywords:  Precocious puberty, congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Abstract: Background: Globally, stunting is a public health concern, more of in developing counties, including Ethiopia. Once occurred, in the first two years of life, it is irreversible and has long-lasting harmful consequences. Exploring the determinants has pivotal importance for evidence-based interventions. Therefore, the rationale of this study was to identify determinants of stunting among children aged 6-23 months in the pastoralist community, Afar region, Ethiopia.

Method: A community-based unmatched case-control study was conducted among 381 (cases=126, controls 255) study participants from February 15/2017 to March 30/2017. Cases and controls were identified consecutively using the world health organization growth monitoring chart.

Data was collected by interviewer-administered questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05 in the final multivariable logistic regression model.

Result: Maternal education (AOR:0.34, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.77), maternal under-nutrition (AOR:2.91, 95% CI:1.51, 5.60), number of under-five children within the household (AOR:2.66, 95% CI: 1.38, 5.10), latrine ownership (AOR:0.28, 95% CI:0.15, 0.55), minimum Dietary Diversity score of children (AOR:0.41, 95% CI:0.22, 0.75), child age (AOR:1.76, 95% CI:1.01, 3.09), colostrum intake (AOR:3.03, 95%CI:1.62, 5.66), and exclusively breastfeed for the first six months (AOR:3.20, 95% CI:1.72,5.95) were found to be determinants of stunting.

Conclusion: This study found that determinants of childhood stunting are multifactorial. Maternal, household and child-related characteristics are associated with childhood stunting. Therefore, to improve childhood nutritional status, inter-sectoral collaboration and commitment are vital.

Keywords:  Afar, Case-control, Children aged 6-23 months, Ethiopia, Golina district, Pastoralist, Stunting.

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