title: Puberty-timing is everything!
abstract: Puberty is a dynamic period of physical growth, sexual maturation, and psychosocial achievement that generally begins between age 8 and 14 years. The age of onset varies as a function of sex, ethnicity, health status, genetics, nutrition, and activity level. Puberty is initiated by hormonal changes triggered by the hypothalamus. Children with variants of normal pubertal development--both early and late puberty--are common in pediatric practice. Recognizing when variations are normal and when referral for further evaluation is indicated is an important skill.
authors.affiliation: Central Ohio Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Service, Columbus, 43231, USA. bwresearch@columbus.rr.com
authors.forename: Belinda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pinyerd
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Zipf
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000295:Adolescent Medicine / Q000379:methods; D000339:Affect; D000367:Age Factors; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D001828:Body Image; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008487:Medical History Taking; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D011628:Puberty, Delayed / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013997:Time Factors