- Part 1 Principles of international endocrine practice
- Part 2 Pituitary and hypothalamic diseases
- Part 3 The thyroid
- Part 4 Parathyroid, calcium, and bone metabolism
- Part 5 The adrenal gland and endocrine hypertension
- Part 6 Neuroendocrine tumours and genetic disorders
- Part 7 Growth and development during childhood
- 7.1 Normal growth and sexual development
- 7.2 Growth and sexual disorders in childhood
- 7.2.1 Hypoglycaemia: assessment and management
- 7.2.2 Differential diagnosis of short stature and poor growth velocity
- 7.2.3 Genetic defects of the human somatotropic axis
- 7.2.4 Investigation of the slowly growing child
- 7.2.5 Growth hormone therapy for the growth-hormone deficient child
- 7.2.6 Growth-promoting agents for nongrowth hormone-deficient short children
- 7.2.7 Syndromic growth disorders
- 7.2.8 Tall stature
- 7.2.9 Delayed puberty and hypogonadism
- 7.2.10 Premature sexual maturation
- 7.3 Congenital adrenal hyperplasia in children
- 7.4 Late effects of cancer treatment
- 7.5 Transition in endocrinology
- Part 8 Female endocrinology and pregnancy
- Part 9 Male hypogonadism and infertility
- Part 10 Endocrinology of ageing and systemic disease
- Part 11 Endocrinology of cancer
- Part 12 Obesity, lipids, and metabolic disorders
- Part 13 Diabetes mellitus
Premature sexual maturation
- Chapter:
- Premature sexual maturation
- Author(s):
Jean-Claude Carel
and Juliane Léger
- DOI:
- 10.1093/med/9780199235292.003.7112
Premature sexual maturation is a frequent cause for referral in paediatric endocrinology. Although clinical evaluation will suffice to reassure the patient and family in a majority of cases, premature sexual maturation can reveal severe conditions and need a thorough evaluation to identify its cause and potential for progression, in order to propose an appropriate treatment (1). Although the use of long-acting GnRH agonists has revolutionized the treatment of central precocious puberty, questions remain regarding their optimal use (2). One of the main ongoing controversial issues in the area is the definition of normal pubertal development and there is a need for longitudinal assessments of normally developing children in the various areas of the world and of a better understanding of the factors affecting normal pubertal development to improve the recognition and proper management of premature sexual maturation.
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- Part 1 Principles of international endocrine practice
- Part 2 Pituitary and hypothalamic diseases
- Part 3 The thyroid
- Part 4 Parathyroid, calcium, and bone metabolism
- Part 5 The adrenal gland and endocrine hypertension
- Part 6 Neuroendocrine tumours and genetic disorders
- Part 7 Growth and development during childhood
- 7.1 Normal growth and sexual development
- 7.2 Growth and sexual disorders in childhood
- 7.2.1 Hypoglycaemia: assessment and management
- 7.2.2 Differential diagnosis of short stature and poor growth velocity
- 7.2.3 Genetic defects of the human somatotropic axis
- 7.2.4 Investigation of the slowly growing child
- 7.2.5 Growth hormone therapy for the growth-hormone deficient child
- 7.2.6 Growth-promoting agents for nongrowth hormone-deficient short children
- 7.2.7 Syndromic growth disorders
- 7.2.8 Tall stature
- 7.2.9 Delayed puberty and hypogonadism
- 7.2.10 Premature sexual maturation
- 7.3 Congenital adrenal hyperplasia in children
- 7.4 Late effects of cancer treatment
- 7.5 Transition in endocrinology
- Part 8 Female endocrinology and pregnancy
- Part 9 Male hypogonadism and infertility
- Part 10 Endocrinology of ageing and systemic disease
- Part 11 Endocrinology of cancer
- Part 12 Obesity, lipids, and metabolic disorders
- Part 13 Diabetes mellitus