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Drugs May 1991Precocious puberty, as defined by the onset of pubertal development before the age of 8 years in girls or 9 years in boys, can be classified into central and peripheral... (Review)
Review
Precocious puberty, as defined by the onset of pubertal development before the age of 8 years in girls or 9 years in boys, can be classified into central and peripheral aetiologies. Central precocious puberty (CPP) results from early activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and has similar physical and hormonal characteristics to normal puberty. Extrapituitary gonadotrophin secretion or independent sex steroid secretion results in peripheral precocious puberty (PPP). Precocious puberty is characterised by rapid growth and advancement of skeletal age. The skeletal advancement is greater than the growth increase, so that final adult height is compromised. Long-acting gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are the current therapy of choice for central precocious puberty, having demonstrated effectiveness in halting the precocious development associated with this condition with minimal side effects. GnRH agonists are not effective as therapy for peripheral precocious puberty, but a number of other agents have been used with some success. These include androgen antagonists, testolactone, ketoconazole, and medroxyprogesterone acetate. The use of GnRH agonists has been associated with an increase in predictions of final height; however, continuing studies in treated cohorts are necessary to determine the true benefit of any of these agents on increasing ultimate height.
Topics: Adolescent; Algorithms; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Puberty; Puberty, Precocious
PubMed: 1712706
DOI: 10.2165/00003495-199141050-00004 -
Journal of Affective Disorders 1993A dramatic feature of the epidemiology of depression is the appearance of a 2:1 female excess of depression during adolescence. In childhood, rates of depression either... (Review)
Review
A dramatic feature of the epidemiology of depression is the appearance of a 2:1 female excess of depression during adolescence. In childhood, rates of depression either do not differ between boys and girls or show a slight excess in boys. In this paper we review a number of lines of evidence that implicate the physical and hormonal developments of puberty in this change. We also argue that the analysis of pubertal change in the etiology of depression must take into account the fact that the causation of depression is almost certainly a complex process. In understanding such a process we suggest that developmental epidemiological studies will be of particular value.
Topics: Adolescent; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depressive Disorder; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Incidence; Male; Personality Development; Psychophysiology; Puberty; Sexual Maturation; United States
PubMed: 8300975
DOI: 10.1016/0165-0327(93)90029-j -
International Journal of Andrology Apr 2010A recent decline in onset of puberty - especially among girls - has been observed, first in the US in the mid-1990s and now also in Europe. The development of breast... (Review)
Review
A recent decline in onset of puberty - especially among girls - has been observed, first in the US in the mid-1990s and now also in Europe. The development of breast tissue in girls occurs at a much younger age and the incidence of precocious puberty (PP) is increasing. Genetic factors and increasing prevalence of adiposity may contribute, but environmental factors are also likely to be involved. In particular, the widespread presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is suspected to contribute to the trend of earlier pubertal onset. The factors regulating the physiological onset of normal puberty are poorly understood. This hampers investigation of the possible role of environmental influences. There are many types of EDCs. One chemical may have more than one mode of action and the effects may depend on dose and duration of the exposure, as well as the developmental stage of the exposed individual. There may also be a wide range of genetic susceptibility to EDCs. Human exposure scenarios are complex and our knowledge about effects of mixtures of EDCs is limited. Importantly, the consequences of an exposure may not be apparent at the actual time of exposure, but may manifest later in life. Most known EDCs have oestrogenic and/or anti-androgenic actions and only few have androgenic or anti-oestrogenic effects. Thus, it appears plausible that they interfere with normal onset of puberty. The age at menarche has only declined by a few months whereas the age at breast development has declined by 1 year; thus, the time span from initiation of breast development to menarche has increased. This may indicate an oestrogen-like effect without concomitant central activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The effects may differ between boys and girls, as there are sex differences in age at onset of puberty, hormonal profiles and prevalence of precocius puberty.
Topics: Androgen Antagonists; Black People; Child; Endocrine Disruptors; Environmental Pollutants; Estrogens; Europe; Female; Humans; Male; Menarche; Nutrition Surveys; Puberty; Puberty, Delayed; Puberty, Precocious; Sexual Maturation; United States; White People
PubMed: 20487042
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2010.01051.x -
The Journal of Adolescent Health :... Sep 2021On average, boys have lower academic achievement than girls. We investigated whether the timing of puberty is associated with academic achievement, and whether later...
PURPOSE
On average, boys have lower academic achievement than girls. We investigated whether the timing of puberty is associated with academic achievement, and whether later puberty among boys contributes to the sex difference in academic achievement.
METHOD
Examination scores at age 16 were studied among 13,477 British twins participating in the population-based Twins Early Development Study. A pubertal development scale, a height-based proxy of growth spurt, and age at menarche were used as indicators of puberty. Associations between puberty, sex, and academic achievement were estimated in phenotypic mediation models and biometric twin models.
RESULTS
Earlier puberty was associated with higher academic achievement both in boys and girls. The exception was early age at menarche in girls, which associated with lower academic achievement. More than half of the sex differences in academic achievement could be linked to sex differences in pubertal development, but part of this association appeared to be rooted in prepubertal differences. The biometric twin modelling indicated that the association between puberty and academic achievement was due to shared genetic risk factors. Genetic influences on pubertal development accounted for 7%-8% of the phenotypic variation in academic achievement.
CONCLUSIONS
Pubertal maturation relates to the examination scores of boys and of girls. This can give genes related to pubertal maturation an influence on outcomes in education and beyond. Sex differences in pubertal maturation can explain parts of the sex difference in academic achievement. Grading students when they are immature may not accurately measure their academic potential.
Topics: Academic Success; Adolescent; Female; Humans; Male; Menarche; Puberty; Sex Characteristics; Twins
PubMed: 33795203
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.02.001 -
Pediatrics in Review Jul 2011
Review
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Adolescent Development; Child; Child Development; Female; Gonadal Disorders; Growth; Humans; Male; Menstruation; Menstruation Disturbances; Puberty
PubMed: 21724902
DOI: 10.1542/pir.32-7-281 -
Pediatric Annals Oct 2005Teenagers undergo biological, cognitive, and social changes. Each of these changes interacts with the other developmental parameters and may affect outcomes in late...
Teenagers undergo biological, cognitive, and social changes. Each of these changes interacts with the other developmental parameters and may affect outcomes in late adolescence and adulthood. Sequence, tempo, and timing of puberty all affect when changes in hormones, feelings, and behavior will emerge in children. The pediatrician should recognize stages of pubertal development and be able to provide counseling and information to patients and parents. Some suggested resources are listed in the Sidebar.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Age Factors; Breast; Female; Humans; Male; Puberty; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Development; Sexual Maturation; Sexuality
PubMed: 16285631
DOI: 10.3928/0090-4481-20051001-09 -
Hormone Research 1991Emphasis is placed on the body and its role in shaping our relationship to reality. Puberty is responsible for integrating an irreversible body image either masculine or...
Emphasis is placed on the body and its role in shaping our relationship to reality. Puberty is responsible for integrating an irreversible body image either masculine or feminine. Pubertal pathology in which the fantasies about physical bisexuality remain ensconced can make working through psychical bisexuality a more arduous task.
Topics: Adolescent; Body Image; Female; Humans; Male; Puberty
PubMed: 1818012
DOI: 10.1159/000182150 -
Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of... Jun 2003Puberty is the sequence of events that culminates in the ability to procreate. It is widely accepted that the onset of puberty in girls occurs on average at 8 years of... (Review)
Review
Puberty is the sequence of events that culminates in the ability to procreate. It is widely accepted that the onset of puberty in girls occurs on average at 8 years of age and that onset prior to 8 years of age is precocious puberty. As a result of the cross-sectional study by the American Association of Pediatrics, a movement exists to change the age limit of the onset of puberty to 6 years of age in black girls and 7 years of age in white girls. We should be cautious in adhering to strict age limits when diagnosing precocious puberty. Also the rapidity and progression of puberty should be evaluated, and if appropriate, therapy to suppress pubertal development considered.
Topics: Adolescent; Aging; Bone Development; Breast; Child; Female; Hair; Humans; Male; Menarche; Puberty; Reference Values
PubMed: 12836720
DOI: 10.1016/s0889-8545(03)00025-1 -
Alcohol Health and Research World 1998Research suggests that alcohol consumption during early adolescence may delay the onset of female puberty. Alcohol's effect on sexual development is associated with... (Review)
Review
Research suggests that alcohol consumption during early adolescence may delay the onset of female puberty. Alcohol's effect on sexual development is associated with altered function of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). This hormone, which is produced in the liver, travels through the bloodstream to the brain, where it helps coordinate overall physical growth with the maturation of the reproductive system. Long-term alcohol consumption inhibits the production of IGF-1 in the liver. Short-term alcohol administration alters IGF-1 function within the brain, ultimately suppressing the release of specific reproductive hormones that initiate puberty. Large proportions of young girls develop drinking habits that place them at risk for alcohol-related endocrine disorders at a crucial time in female pubertal development.
Topics: Alcohol Drinking; Animals; Ethanol; Female; Humans; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Puberty
PubMed: 15706791
DOI: No ID Found -
The Journal of Adolescent Health :... Apr 2024To describe the duration, timing, tempo, and synchronicity of puberty, as well as the correlation between timing and tempo of puberty.
PURPOSE
To describe the duration, timing, tempo, and synchronicity of puberty, as well as the correlation between timing and tempo of puberty.
METHODS
Overall, 15,819 of 22,439 invited children participated in the Puberty Cohort within the Danish National Birth Cohort. Participants completed a web-based questionnaire every 6 months through maturation with questions on current pubertal status. Girls reported current Tanner stage of breast and pubic hair development, and timing of menarche. Boys reported current Tanner stage of genital and pubic hair development, timing of first ejaculation, and vocal changes. While accounting for this interval-censored puberty information, we estimated the duration of puberty. Then, we used a nonlinear mixed effect growth model to estimate timing, tempo, synchronicity of puberty, and correlation between timing and tempo of puberty.
RESULTS
In girls, the average duration of breast development was longer, whereas the average tempo was slower than pubic hair development. The average timing of breast development was earlier than the average timing of pubic hair development. The majority of girls had asynchronous puberty. In boys, the average duration was longer and average tempo slower for genital than pubic hair development. The average timing of genital and pubic hair development were comparable; hence, the majority had synchronous pubertal development. Adolescents who had earlier timing also tended to have a faster tempo.
DISCUSSION
Being one of the largest puberty cohorts worldwide, these unique contemporary data can help physicians, parents, and children to understand and anticipate expected progression through pubertal development.
Topics: Male; Child; Female; Humans; Adolescent; Sexual Maturation; Puberty; Menarche; Breast; Denmark
PubMed: 38127018
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.10.005