Precocious puberty (PP) is a most common condition encountered in pediatric endocrinology practice. Articles reporting on increasingly early pubertal development have recently been published in the lay press, thus resulting in numerous questions from parents regarding their children's pubertal development. PP can be defined as the onset of secondary sexual characteristics, along with accelerated growth and bone maturation, occurring earlier than usual, e.g., prior to the age of 8 years in girls and 9 in boys. PP etiologies can be divided into gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH)-dependent and GnRH-independent causes. GnRHdependent PP, often referred to as central PP, is usually treated using GnRHagonists.
What is already known about the topic?
The average age of the appearance of the breasts girl s' is lowered in recent years. Endocrine disruptors and the increasing prevalence of obesity in pediatric age could be responsible for this phenomenon.
What does this article bring up for us?
This article provides an update on the definition, differential diagnosis and management of precocious puberty
Keywords
Puberty, Tanner stages, GnRH agonists