Related Experiment Videos
Etiologies of late puberty
J E Toublanc1, M Roger, J L Chaussain
1Hôpital Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, Paris, France.
Hormone Research
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Diagnosing unexpected lack of puberty in adolescents is challenging. This study classified 106 patients into three groups based on gonadotropin levels, revealing diverse etiologies including gonadal dysgenesis and gonadotropin insufficiency.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Genetics
Background:
- Delayed puberty diagnosis presents challenges in adolescents.
- Understanding the diverse etiologies of delayed puberty is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the causes of late puberty in 106 adolescents.
- To classify patients based on clinical and biological data, specifically gonadotropin levels.
Main Methods:
- Clinical evaluation and biological (gonadotropin) data analysis of 106 adolescents (68 boys, 38 girls) with delayed puberty.
- Classification into three groups based on hypergonadotropic, hypogonadotropic, or constitutional delay of puberty.
Main Results:
- Group 1 (hypergonadotropism): 19 females with various causes including gonadal dysgenesis (46,XY, 46,Xdel(Xq), 46,XX), blepharophimosis, autoimmune disease, and 17 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency.
- Group 2 (gonadotropin insufficiency): 68 adolescents (57 males, 11 females) with low gonadotropin levels, anosmia, cryptorchidism, micropenis, and familial hypogonadism.
- Group 3 (constitutional delay): 22 cases with low/low-normal gonadotropins, confirmed by normal pubertal development during follow-up; 50% lacked clear clinical markers or family history.
Conclusions:
- Delayed puberty in adolescents stems from diverse etiologies, including genetic conditions, hormonal deficiencies, and autoimmune factors.
- Gonadotropin levels are key in differentiating causes, guiding diagnosis and management strategies.
- Constitutional delay is a significant diagnosis, often lacking specific markers, necessitating careful follow-up.