[Normal puberty and delayed puberty].
Puberty includes important physical and growth changes, and takes place at a certain age range, leading to sexual maturation. Delayed puberty is defined clinically by the absence of breast development after the age of 13,5 in girls, or the absence of increase in testicular size after the age of 14 years in boys. Particularly in boys, delayed puberty, presented as short stature, is a frequent motivation for medical appointment. Constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) is the most frequent diagnosis ; however, the other etiologies have to be considered. Family history, physical examination including secondary sex characteristics, analysis of growth curve will help to clarify the diagnosis, and may permit avoidance of otherwise evaluations, Adequate work up is important, delayed puberty might lead to psychological difficulties in this context of peer's differences. Even in CDGP, symptomatic treatment with sex steroids might be considered.
Service de Pédiatrie, Unité d'Endocrinologie, H.U.D.E.R.F. Bruxelles. cheinric@ulb.ac.be
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Heinrichs
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology*; D011628:Puberty, Delayed / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy