Growth and pubertal delay in patients with epidermolysis bullosa

Puberty is the acquisition of secondary sexual characteristics, associated with a growth spurt, resulting in the attainment of reproductive function and final adult height. Delayed puberty is defined as the absence of any pubertal development at an age 2 standard deviations (SD) more than the mean, which corresponds to an age of approximately 14 years for boys and 13 years for girls. The degree to which growth and pubertal development are affected in chronic illness depends on the disease itself, as well as factors such as age of onset, duration and severity; the earlier the onset and the more severe the disease, the greater the effect on growth and pubertal development. Most children with severe types of epidermolysis bullosa have abnormal growth and pubertal delay. The possible pathophysiology is discussed.