Precocious Puberty

Question 1

What is the definition of precocious puberty?

Answer 1

The development of secondary sexual characteristics before 8 years in females and 9 years in males.

Question 2

What gender is precocious puberty more common in?

Answer 2

Females

Question 3

Precocious puberty can be classified into:

Answer 3

1. Gonadotrophin dependent
   
   1. Due to premature activation or the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis
      
      1. FSH & LSH raised
2. Gonadtorophin independent
   
   1. Due to excess sex hormones
   2. FSH & LH low

Question 4

If the male has bilateral enlargement of his testicles at a young age, what should you suspect?

Answer 4

Gonadotrophin release from intracranial lesion

Question 5

If the male has unilateral enlargement of his testicles at a young age, what should you suspect?

Answer 5

Gonadal tumour

Question 6

If the male has bilateral small testicles at a young age, what should you suspect?

Answer 6

An Adrenal cause (tumour or adrenal hyperplasia)

Question 7

In females, precocious puberty is usually…what?

Answer 7

Usually idiopathic or familial.

Question 8

In males, precocious puberty is usually…BLANK?

Answer 8

Uncommon and has an organic cause.

Question 9

Organic causes of precocious puberty are rare in females, but can you name one and what skin lesions you would see?

Answer 9

McCune Albright syndrome

Cafe au lait spots