Puberty Disorders Dr. Sarar Mohamed MBBS, FRCPCH(UK), MRCP (UK), MRCPCH(UK), DCH(Ire), CCST(Ire), CPT(Ire), MD Consultant Pediatric Endocrinologist & Metabolic Physician Assistant Professor of Pediatrics King Saud University
Definition of puberty What is puberty? It is the transitional period of development during which an individual mature from childhood to physical, psychosocial, sexual & reproductive maturity.
PUBERTY Gonadal maturation with acquisition of secondary sexual characteristics and associated growth spurt FERTILITY AND FINAL HEIGHT
Endocrine Regulation Negative feedback: Female: Insert fig. 20.9 Male: Inhibits GnRH from hypothalamus. Inhibits anterior pituitary response to GnRH. Inhibin secretion inhibits anterior pituitary release of FSH. Female: Estrogen and progesterone. Male: Testosterone. Insert fig. 20.9
Onset of puberty The age of onset of puberty Average age of onset: Females 8-13 Males 9-14 Average age of onset: GIRLS 10 to 11 years (range 8 to 13 years) BOYS 11 to 12 years (range 9 to 14 years) 1st sign of puberty in females is breast development, and testicular enlargement in males. Axiliary and pubic hair follows along with other 2ndary sexual characteristics. The maximum growth velocity occurs at 12 years. The age of menarche has decreased over the last 3-4 decades due to improved nutrition, general health & life style. Menarche marks the attainment of reproductive maturity. F 2- Pubic hair is the first visible physical sign of puberty T 3- The maximum growth velocity occurs ar 12 years T 4- The age of menarche has decreased over the last 3-4 decades due to improved nutrition, general health & life style F 5-Menarche marks the attainment of reproductive maturity
Duration of puberty The time from onset to completion of puberty Average 4.2 years Range 1.5-6 years
Factors That Affect Puberty Genetics Race/Ethnicity (blacks before white) Previous nutrition ,malnourished they go to puberty later. Subcutaneous fat (overweight reach puberty faster) Obesity Increased leptin and estrogen production Insulin stimulation of ovaries & uterus Birth weight
Initial signs of puberty GIRLS – Breast Development BOYS – Testicular Enlargement Volume > 3.0 cm³ Length > 2.5 cm
Growth in puberty Female enter growth spurt before males because females (around 10 years) enter puberty before males (around 12 years). Insert fig. 20.10
Evaluation of disorder of puberty CLINICAL ASSESSMENT History Behavioural changes Pubertal staging Skin examination Height measurement / Growth velocity Bone age assessment Hormone study if needed
Assessment of Puberty History Parents onset of puberty Menarche Male Age of first shaving regularly Parental heights (mid-parental height) prenatal and perinatal (exposure to exogenous sex steroids in intrauterine period; birth weight; perinatal asphyxia) Concomitant illnesses, postnatal exposure to sex steroids Time of first sign of puberty Thelarche (galactorrhea) development of breast, testicles Adrenarche/pubarche (body odor, axillary & pubic hair, acne) development of pubic and axillary hair. Menarche menstruation Gonadarche
Premature thelarche is different the precocious puberty Premature thelarche is different the precocious puberty. Premature thelarche is when there is breast or testicular enlargement before the age of 8 or 9 years in females and males respectively. In premature thelarche the X-ray images and hormonal levels are normal with no other signs of puberty.
History Important to include: Past medical history (history of brain tumor, radiation, chemotherapy, known genetic disorder, chronic disease affecting growth) Eating habits Any evidence of disordered eating Activity level Is exercise excessive or is this an athlete with a high level of training Growth history Previous growth chart can be extremely helpful
History Review of Systems CNS: visual changes/visual field abnormalities, headaches, anosmia Cardiac: congenital anomaly Respiratory: asthma Renal: GI: diarrhea, blood in stools
Physical Examination Examination of Growth Height Weight Pubertal Assessment (Tanner staging) Axillary hair Pubic hair & staging Breast development & staging Genital development & staging skin, hair, thyroid Neurological assessment
Growth charts
Staging of pubertal development in girls (Tanner) B 1-5, Pu 1-5, A 1-5. (B2 – first sign of female puberty)
Staging of pubertal development in bpys (Tanner) G1-5, Pu 1-5, A 1-5, testicular volum > 4 ml – first sign of male puberty
Its used to measure the testicular size and development. Prader orchidometer along with tanner staging is used to asses puberty in males.
Diagnostic evaluation Laboratory gonadotropins (FSH, LH) basal and peak after LHRH stimulation (prepubertal LH/FSH<1) estradiol testosteron (basal value and value after LH stimulation) adrenal androgens (17-OHP, A-dion,...) and ACTH bone age by hand X-ray. Pelvic US (ovarian and uterine size) CT or MRI of adrenals, Brain to exclude tumors. Vaginoscopy Genetic – karyotype, DNA analysis
Bone age 2 yrs 6 m. 10 yrs 12 yrs
Summary:Variants of puberty Premature thelarché Only premature breast development, with normal hormones. exclude the start of precocious puberty! Premature adrenarché Only premature axillary and pubic hair, with normal hormones. exclude simple virilising form of CAH! Premature menarché exclude vaginal bleeding due to trauma of vagine or rare ovarian cyst! Bone age is not accelerated! FSH and LH levels after LH-RH are normal Gonadal and adrenal steroid levels are normal Pelvic and adrenal ultrasonography is normal Reassurance & f/u
PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY
Landmark Case of Precocious Puberty 5 year old Lina Medina of Peru Menses onset age 8 months Breast development age 4 Advanced bone maturation age 5 Was evaluated for abdominal tumor due to increasing abdominal size at age 5 On 5/14/1939 gave birth to a 2.9 kg baby boy
Definition of Precocious Puberty ONSET OF PUBERTY BEFORE Females 8 years Males 9 years Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society recommended 7 for white girls/ 6 for black Prevalence is estimated to be between one in 5,000 to 10,000 children annually in the United States. They can conceive.
Classification Central (true), gonadotropin-dependent Early stimulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Idiopathic. Peripheral resistance, GnRH independent (precocious pseudopuberty) The source of sex steroid may be endogenous or exogenous, gonadal or extragonadal, independent of gonadotropins stimulation. Look for ovarian tumor.
True precocious puberty (central, GnRH dependent) Idiopatic, constitutional sporadic or familial (common) CNS abnormalities Congenital (hydrocephalus, arachnoid cysts, ...) Acquired pathology (posttraumatic, infections, radiation,.. Tumors (LH secreting pituitary microadenoma, glioma – may be associated with neurofibromatosis, hamartoma,.. Reversible forms - space occuping or pressure-associated lesion (abscess, hydrocephalus,...) Adopted children or children emigrating from developping countries Improved nutrition, environmental stability and psychosocial support
True precocious puberty (central, gonadotropin-dependent) Bone age is accelerated FSH and LH elevation after LH-RH is diagnostic test (LH/FSH > 2) LH LH/FSH ratio < 1 Prepubertal LH LH/FSH ratio > 1 Pubertal MRI of CNS is necessary to exclude the neoplasia
Treatment of true precocious puberty Purpose of treatment To prevent psychosocial distress To improve final height outcome because growth will stop at that age, resulting in short stature. Treat the underlying cause GnRH analogue Lupron depot ped, leuprolide acetate Desensitizes the pituitary Blocks LH and FSH secretion Prevents continued sexual development for the duration of the treatment Growth may almost stop while on therapy ± addition of growth hormone remains controversy
Precocious pseudopuberty in girls (gonadotropin-independent) McCune - Albright syndrome Ovarian cysts Isolated follicular cysts with E2 production. Self-limiting with spontaneous regression Ovarian tumors Acceleration of bone age FSH and LH are low after LH-RH stimulation Estrogens are elevated
Precocious pseudopuberty in boys (gonadotropin-independent) Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) Undiagnosed or inadequately treated simple virilising form of CAH caused by 21-hydoxylase deficiency. Neonatal screening. Testotoxicosis Activating mutation of LH receptor. AD inheredited. Tumors Gonadal (testosterone-secreting Leydig cell tumor) Adrenal (adenoma, carcinoma) Exogenous androgens (anabolic steroids – iatrogene, doping) McCune Albright Syndrome Acceleration of bone age FSH and LH are low after LH-RH stimulation Testicular or adrenal steroids are elevated
Precoccious puberty-treatment Gonadotropin-dependent PP Idiopathic GnRH (LH-RH) analog to block LH-RH receptor of pituitary gland Organic – tumor or cysts Surgery Gonadotropin independent (pseudopuberty) Treat underline cause Testicular, ovarian or adrenal tumors –surgery CAH – substitution of corticosteroids
Delayed puberty .
Delayed puberty - definition Initial physical changes of puberty are not present by age 13 years in girls (or primary amenorhoe at 15.5-16y) by age 14 years in boys
Types of delayed puberty Gonadotropin dependent Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism Low LH/FSH Central, chronic disease Gonadotropin independent Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism High LH/FSH Peripheral cause (gonads)
GnRH or gonadotropin dependent Idiopathic sporadic or familial (associated with constitutional growth delay) Chronic diseases with bone age delay and growth retardation due to different pathophysical mechanismes (malnutrition, anemia, acidosis, hypoxia,...anorexia nervosa, cystic fibrosis, chronic renal insuficiency,..) Psychosocial deprivation
GnRH or gonadotropin dependent Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism Gonadotropin deficiency LH only (fertile eunuch syndrome) FSH and LH Congenital (genetic, syndromes) - Kallman syndrome –mutation of KAL gene, mutation of DAX1 gene, Prader-Willi syndrome ,... Acquired - cranial irradiation, hemosiderosis, granulomtous disease Associated with others pituitary hormones deficiencies Congenital – empty sella syndrome, genetic-transcription factors, disruption of pituitary stalk (breech delivery),... Acquired – tumors, inflamation, irradiation, trauma....
Kallman Syndrome A syndrome of isolated gonadotropin deficiency 1/10,000 males, 1/50,000 females KAL-1 gene Present with ANOSMIA or HYPOSMIA Can also be associated with harelip, cleft palate, and congenital deafness
Syndromes Associated with Pubertal Delay Prader-Willi syndrome Laurence Moon syndrome Septo-optic dysplasia Bardet-Biedl syndrome
Gonadotropin independent (hypergonadotrophic) Boys Congenital Anorchia Chromosomal abnormalities (Klinefelter syndrome, Noonan syndrome…) Disorders in androgen synthesis or action Acquired Autoimunne inflamation (APS) Radio or chemotherapy Traumatic Surgery
Klinefelter’s Syndrome 45 XXY most common (2/3) Tall in childhood, with euchanoid body habitus More female type fat distribution puberty is delayed Small testicles & gynecomastia 90-100% are infertile
Klinefelter's syndrome A 19-year-old phenotypic male with chromatin-positive seminiferous tubule dysgenesis (Klinefelter's syndrome). The karyotype was 47,XXY, gonadotropin levels were elevated, and testosterone levels were low normal. Note normal virilization with long legs and gynecomastia (B, C). The testes were small and firm and measured 1.8 × 0.9 cm. Testicular biopsy revealed a severe degree of hyalinization of the seminiferous tubules and clumping of Leydig cells. D, A 48-year-old male with 47,XXY Klinefelter's syndrome with severe leg varicosities. (Williams Textbook of Endocrinology, 10th ed, 2003)
Previous photos A 19-year-old phenotypic male with chromatin-positive seminiferous tubule dysgenesis (Klinefelter's syndrome). The karyotype was 47,XXY, gonadotropin levels were elevated, and testosterone levels were low normal. Note normal virilization with long legs and gynecomastia (B, C). The testes were small and firm and measured 1.8 × 0.9 cm. Testicular biopsy revealed a severe degree of hyalinization of the seminiferous tubules and clumping of Leydig cells. D, A 48-year-old male with 47,XXY Klinefelter's syndrome with severe leg varicosities.
Gonadotropin independent (hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism) Girls Congenital Billateral ovarian torsion Chromosomal abnormalities (Turner syndrome, pure gonadal dysgenesis, Noonan syndrome…) Acquired Autoimunne inflamation (APS) Radio or chemotherapy Traumatic Surgery
Turner syndrome Karyotype 45,X (60%), (45,X/46,XX, structural abnormalities of X chromosome) Incidence 1/2000 Short stature (final height 142-147 cm) web neck Gonadal dysgenesis - streak gonad Autoimmune: Hashimoto’s thyroditis, Addison’s Mild insulin resistance Essential hypertension hearing loss /No mental defect Impairment of cognitive function: mathematical ability↓ Visual–motor coordination, spatial-temporal processing↓ Y chromosome predisposed to gonadoblastoma H. Turner, 1938
Investigation of Delayed Puberty Investigations depend on clinical presentation, but may include Bone age Hormone levels (IGF-1, FSH, LH, estradiol, testosterone, DHEAS, prolactin, TSH) Karyotype Hormone stimulation tests GnRH stimulation test GH stimulation test Imaging MRI brain if gonadotropins low & no obvious cause of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism US or MRI pelvis
Treatment of delayed Puberty Treat underline cause Time of therapy initiation may vary and individualized Testosterone supplementation Estrogen for girls