The pathophysiology of precocious puberty

Hosp Pract (Off Ed). 1989 Dec 15;24(12):55-61. doi: 10.1080/21548331.1989.11703823.

Abstract

Advances in understanding of normal puberty have clarified many of the mechanisms underlying precocity and led in several instances to better therapy. The essential diagnostic task is to determine if the normal process has been triggered prematurely or if an abnormal process (usually inappropriate sex steroid secretion) has circumvented the normal physiology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pituitary Hormone-Releasing Hormones / metabolism
  • Progesterone / therapeutic use
  • Puberty, Precocious / diagnosis
  • Puberty, Precocious / physiopathology*
  • Puberty, Precocious / therapy
  • Sex Characteristics

Substances

  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones
  • Pituitary Hormone-Releasing Hormones
  • Progesterone