[Constitutional delay of growth and puberty in male]

Constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP), featuring short stature, delayed puberty and delayed bone age, is the most common condition in pediatric endocrine clinic and becomes an important differential diagnosis in boys with short stature. The conventional management is to assure eventual development of puberty and normal final stature. Treatment with androgens to induce secondary sex characteristics is given only when the boy is under psychosocial stress. Recent reports revealed poor final height outcomes. The results of growth hormone treatment in idiopathic short stature, including CDGP, has not been successful. New findings showed that adults with a history of delay puberty had significant osteopenia and may have a risk of fracture, and that suppression of spinal growth was closely related to pubertal delay, leading to short stature. These two facts suggest the necessity of induction of puberty in normal timing.