6. The Management of Puberty Disorders
Published Online: 23 FEB 2012
DOI: 10.1002/9781119968153.ch6
Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Book Title
Handbook of Clinical Pediatric Endocrinology, Second Edition
Additional Information
How to Cite
Brook, C. G. D. and Dattani, M. T. (2012) The Management of Puberty Disorders, in Handbook of Clinical Pediatric Endocrinology, Second Edition, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, UK. doi: 10.1002/9781119968153.ch6
Publication History
- Published Online: 23 FEB 2012
- Published Print: 13 APR 2012
ISBN Information
Print ISBN: 9780470657881
Online ISBN: 9781119968153
- Summary
- Chapter
Keywords:
- adrenal;
- adrenarche;
- delayed puberty;
- estrogen;
- hypogonadism;
- McCune–Albright syndrome;
- polycystic ovarian syndrome;
- precocious puberty;
- premature thelarche;
- puberty;
- puberty arrest;
- secondary sexual characteristics;
- Tanner stages;
- testosterone;
- thelarche variant;
- Turner syndrome
Summary
Puberty marks the transition from childhood to the achievement of adult stature through the development of secondary sex characteristics. This chapter covers the physical and endocrine events all of which are influenced by genetic, nutritional, environmental and socioeconomic factors. Precocious puberty is much more common in girls than boys and is usually idiopathic but, in males, it is more likely to be associated with intracranial pathology. Testicular size distinguishes true puberty from other causes of virilization in boys. Treatment of precocious puberty stops pubertal development but is not effective in increasing final height. Delayed puberty is much more common in boys than girls and is usually idiopathic but this is unusual in a girl and needs thorough investigation which is usually unnecessary in a boy. Treatment of delayed puberty is psychologically advantageous and does not limit adult height.