growth and puberty

Question 1

is insulin a growth factor for babies in utero

Answer 1

yes

Question 2

how should height be measured from the age of 2

Answer 2

using a rigid rule with T piece or a stadiometer

Question 3

what is a centile space

Answer 3

distance between two centile lines

Question 4

what is the average age for a girl to enter puberty

Answer 4

11 years

Question 5

average age for a boy to enter puberty

Answer 5

6 months later than girls

Question 6

what are the gonadotrophins

Answer 6

FSH and LH

Question 7

what is precocious puberty

Answer 7

true central precocious puberty is normal pubertal development occurring abnormally early

• <8yrs for girls
• <9yrs for boys

Question 8

what is pubertal delay

Answer 8

absence of secondary sexual development in a girl aged 13 or a boy aged 14

Question 9

what is secondary sexual development

Answer 9

enlarged breasts and widened hips of females, facial hair and Adam’s apples on males, and pubic hair on both

Question 10

why is the average height difference between men and women 12.5-14cm

Answer 10

• boys have delayed PHV
• boys PHV > girls
• boys taller in pre-puberty

Question 11

investigations for growth problems

Answer 11

• bloods
• bone age
• dynamic function tests
• MRI brain, USS uterus

Question 12

classification of short stature

Answer 12

• genetic short stature
• constitutional growth delay
• dysmorphic syndromes
• endocrine disorders
• chronic diseases
• psychosocial deprivation