Precocious puberty
Krysiak, R.; Okopień, B.ła.; Herman, Z.S.ła.
Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski Organ Polskiego Towarzystwa Lekarskiego 20(118): 475-481
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 1426-9686 PMID: 16886580 Document Number: 600258
Precocious puberty is usually defined as the appearance of secondary sexual development before the age of 8 years in girls and 9 years in boys. Precocious puberty is a heterogenous condition generally divided into central and peripheral forms driven respectively by hypothalamic-pituitary axis or by excessive production of sex steroids. Taking into account the risk associated with the underlying disorder as well as the impact of precocious puberty on stature growth and development of reproductive and mental functions, this condition has important consequences for affected children and their families. In this paper, the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, laboratory and radiological features, and treatment of the disorders leading to precocious puberty are reviewed. Particular attention is devoted to the results of the recently published studies.