ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the features of puberty in males and females, examines the symptoms and treatments of delayed puberty. It discusses the distinction between true precocious puberty and pseudoprecocious puberty. Puberty is a developmental milestone when the reproductive organs become functional. Onset of spermatogenesis and increased androgen activity of testosterone and its metabolite 5α-dihydrotestosterone, which causes: penis, scrotum and testis enlargement; penis and scrotum pigmentation; prostate, epididymis and seminal vesicle growth; male pattern of hair distribution; linear growth acceleration with growth of connective tissue and muscle; enlargement of larynx and thickening of vocal cords; and fall in plasma high-density lipoprotein. True precocious puberty is caused by inappropriate secretion of pituitary gonadotrophins, usually at 8–9 years of age. Pseudoprecocious puberty is caused by inappropriate release of pituitary luteinising hormone or Follicle-stimulating hormone.
