Aspects of endocrine anthropology in precocious puberty
Ciovîrnache, M.; Florea, I.; Popa, M.; Ionescu, V.; Popescu, H.
Endocrinologie 27(3): 119-131
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-1801 PMID: 2814305 Document Number: 342008
A total of 61 children (52 girls and 9 boys) with accelerated puberty were selected using clinical endocrinological fidings confirmed by laboratory analyses. Genetically determined morphological and physiological characteristics (pigmentation, dermatoglyphics, phenylthiocarbamide taste test, and tongue-rolling test) as well as anthropometric parameters (weight, height, body measurements) were studied. In agreement with data reported in the literature, a higher frequency of precocious puberty was noted in girls than in boys (6 to 1). The urban origin of children with accelerated puberty was observed in all the boys and the majority of girls (90.4%). Partial or incomplete puberty (67.31%) is the predominant clinical form. Several morphological, physiological, anthropometric, and psychological characteristics were found which distinguish the child with precocious puberty from the healthy child of the same chronological age. The existence of certain dermatological characteristics linked with the clinical variant of precocious puberty supports the hypothesis that a genetic factor is responsible for this disorder.