Chapter 3 - Adolescent Flashcards
Describe the timing, hormonal regulation, extent and duration of the pubertal growth spurt.
- it occurs 18-24 months earlier in females
- during this period GH, insulin, thyroid hormone, and sex steroids drive growth
- nearly 50% of adult weight and 25% of adult height are gained during this period
- on average, it lasts 2-3 years
How long does puberty last and when does it typically begin for boys and girls?
it usually begins at age 9.5 in girls and 6-12 months later in boys, lasting 3-4 years
Define adrenarche. How is this different from puberty.
- the onset of adrenal androgen steroidogenesis that occurs about two years before the maturation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis
- true puberty doesn’t occur until gonadotropins (LH, FSH, sex steroids) increase
What is the first sign of puberty in boys and girls?
testicular enlargement in boys and thelarche in girls
Describe the timeline of puberty in boys.
- adrenarche occurs about two years before maturation of the HPG axis
- true puberty, when gonadotropins increase, then begins around age 10-11
- the first sign of puberty is testicular enlargement between ages 11-12 and then genitalia progress through the tanner stages
- facial and axillary hair growth begin approximately two years after growth of pubic hair
- the process typically takes 3-4 years
Describe the timeline of puberty in females.
- adrenarche occurs about two years before maturation of the HPG axis
- true puberty, when gonadotropins increase, then begins at roughly 9.5 years old with thelarche
- pubic hair generally follows thelarche
- menarche occurs at a mean age of 12.5 years and 2-3 years after thelarche
- the process typically takes 3-4 years
What is the role of FSH in males and females?
- induce spermatogenesis
- induce development of ovarian follicles and stimulate estrogen production by granulosa cells
What is the role of LH in males and females?
- induces testicular Leydig cells to produce testosterone
- stimulates ovarian theca cells to produce androgens, the corpus luteum to produce progesterone, and ovulation
What is the role of testosterone in males?
- increase linear growth and muscle mass
- induce development of the penis, scrotum, and seminal vesicles as well as growth of pubic, axillary, and facial hair
- deepen the voice and increase libido
What is the role of testosterone in females?
stimulate linear growth and growth of pubic and axillary hair
What is the role of estradiol in males?
increase the rate of epiphyseal fusion
What is the role of estradiol in females?
- stimulate breast development
- trigger the mid cycle LH surge and ovulation
- stimulate labial, vaginal, and uterine development
- stimulate growth of the proliferative endometrium and conversion to a secretory endometrium
- low levels stimulate linear growth and high levels increase the rate of epiphyseal fusion
What is the role of adrenal androgens in males and females?
stimulates growth of pubic hair and linear growth
Describe the tanner stages.
- I is pre-pubertal, II is 8-11.5 years old, III is 11.5-13, IV is 13-15, and V is over 15
- hair: none, sparse, coarsening, coarse but sparing medial thigh, coarse across medial thigh
- breast: flat with raised nipple, breast bud, mound forms, mound on mound with raised areola, adult contour with flattened areola
- penis: pre-pubertal, testicular enlargement, increase in length, increase in width and glands, adult
Describe the age of and psychosocial development that occurs during early adolescence.
- typically seen between 10-13 years of age
- there is a shift towards independence with declining interest in family activities, conflicts with parents, and mood/behavior changes
- preoccupation with pubertal body changes
- same-sex peer relationships
- beginnings of abstract thinking and lack of impulse control with increased risk-taking
Describe the age of and psychosocial development that occurs during middle adolescence.
- typically seen between 14-17 years of age
- there is an increase in conflicts with parents, diminished preoccupation with pubertal changes, increased preoccupation with methods for improving one’s physical appearance, intense peer group involvement, initiation of romantic relationships, additional abstract thinking and risk taking
Describe the age of and psychosocial development that occurs during late adolescence.
- typically seen between 18-21 years of age
- they develop a self distinct from parents and are now more willing to take parental advice, comfortable with body image, abstract thought is developed, fewer risk-taking behaviors, able to articulate future goals
Which female adolescents should receive an annual pelvic exam?
- those who are sexually active
- those with a history of pelvic pain, vaginal discharge, or abnormal bleeding
- those who are over the age of 18
What are the three leading causes of death in adolescents 15-19?
- unintentional injuries
- homicide
- suicide
What are nine risk factors for suicide or depression in adolescents?
- family or peer conflicts
- substance abuse
- significant loss
- divorce or separation of parents
- poor school performance or learning disability
- physical or sexual abuse
- family history
- previous suicide attempt
- physical illness
What are the behavioral, physical, and psychological signs of depression in adolescents?
- behavioral: missing school, change in school performance, acting out, lack of interest, desire to be alone, and substance abuse
- physical: abdominal pain, headaches, weight loss, overeating, insomnia, anxiousness, diminished appetite, fatigue
- psychological: sadness, feelings of hopelessness, low self-esteem, excessive self-criticism, feeling worthless
What are the criteria for diagnosing depression?
five of nine symptoms almost every day for at least two weeks, which impair normal functioning
- depressed or irritable moood
- diminished interest or pleasure
- weight gain or loss
- insomnia or hypersomnia
- psychomotor agitation or retardation
- fatigue or energy loss
- feelings of worthlessness
- diminished ability to concentrate
- recurrent thoughts of suicide or depression
What are the criteria for dysthymia?
two of five symptoms while depressed, lasting more than one year
- poor appetite or overeating
- insomnia or hypersomnia
- diminished energy
- difficulty concentrating
- feelings of hopelessness
What are signs that an adolescent may be using illicit substances?
- mood or sleep disturbances
- truancy or a decline in school performance
- changes in friends and family relationships
- diminished appetite or weight loss
- depression
What is the difference between problem drinking, binge drinking, and alcoholism?
- problem drinking is being intoxicated six or more times within one year or having problems in areas attributable to drinking
- binge drinking is defined as five or more consecutive drinks at one sitting
- alcoholism is defined as a preoccupation with and impaired control over drinking, despite adverse consequences
What is the CAGE questionnaire?
it is a screening tool for alcoholism
- have you ever felt the need to cut down on drinking?
- have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
- have you ever felt guilty about drinking?
- have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning (i.e. eye opener)?
What are the health risks of smoking cigarettes?
- coronary artery disease and stroke
- various cancers
- chronic lung disease and asthma
- peptic ulcer disease
- pregnancy complications such as stillbirth, low birth weight, and higher-than-normal infant mortality
What are the health risks of smokeless tobacco?
- oral cancers
- gingival recession
- low birth weight and premature delivery
What are the physical effects of marijuana?
- tachycardia and mydriasis
- sleepiness, impaired cognition, and auditory or visual hallucinations
- conjunctival erythema, dry mouth, and increased appetite
What are the long-term consequences of marijuana use?
- asthma
- impaired memory and learning
- truancy
- diminished interpersonal interactions
- depression
Give two ways in which we define obesity.
as a body weight 20% greater than ideal body weight or as a BMI greater than 95% for age and sex
What sorts of health effects are associated with obesity, particularly during adolescence?
- earlier pubertal development
- poor body image, depression, and low self-esteem
- orthopedic problems
- gall bladder disease
- HTN, cardiovascular disease, hypercholesterolemia and elevated triglycerides, and type 2 diabetes mellitus
What are the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa?
- refusal to maintain body weight with a weight at least 15% below ideal for age and sex
- intense fear of weight gain
- disturbed body image
- absence of three consecutive menstrual cycles