Precocious_Puberty_Flashcards

Question 1

What is the definition of precocious puberty?

Answer 1

‘Development of secondary sexual characteristics before 8 years in females and 9 years in males’. More common in females.

Question 2

What is thelarche?

Answer 2

The first stage of breast development.

Question 3

What is adrenarche?

Answer 3

The first stage of pubic hair development.

Question 4

What are the classifications of precocious puberty?

Answer 4

1. Gonadotrophin dependent (‘central’, ‘true’) - due to premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, FSH & LH raised. 2. Gonadotrophin independent (‘pseudo’, ‘false’) - due to excess sex hormones, FSH & LH low.

Question 5

What are the characteristics of precocious puberty in males?

Answer 5

Uncommon and usually has an organic cause. Bilateral enlargement of testes = gonadotrophin release from intracranial lesion. Unilateral enlargement of testes = gonadal tumour. Small testes = adrenal cause (tumour or adrenal hyperplasia).

Question 6

What are the characteristics of precocious puberty in females?

Answer 6

Usually idiopathic or familial and follows normal sequence of puberty.

Question 7

What are the organic causes of precocious puberty?

Answer 7

Organic causes are rare, associated with rapid onset, neurological symptoms and signs, and dissonance. Example: McCune Albright syndrome.

Question 8

summarise precocious puberty

Answer 8

Precocious puberty

Definition
‘development of secondary sexual characteristics before 8 years in females and 9 years in males’
more common in females

Some other terms
thelarche (the first stage of breast development)
adrenarche (the first stage of pubic hair development)

May be classified into:

1. Gonadotrophin dependent (‘central’, ‘true’)
   due to premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis
   FSH & LH raised
2. Gonadotrophin independent (‘pseudo’, ‘false’)
   due to excess sex hormones
   FSH & LH low

Males - uncommon and usually has an organic cause

Testes
bilateral enlargement = gonadotrophin release from intracranial lesion
unilateral enlargement = gonadal tumour
small testes = adrenal cause (tumour or adrenal hyperplasia)

Females - usually idiopathic or familial and follows normal sequence of puberty

Organic causes
are rare, associated with rapid onset, neurological symptoms and signs and dissonance
e.g. McCune Albright syndrome

Question 9

Precocious puberty in males may be defined as the development of secondary sexual characteristics before:

8 years of age
9 years of age
10 years of age
11 years of age
12 years of age

Answer 9

9 years of age

The correct answer is 9 years of age. Precocious puberty in males is defined as the onset of sexual maturation before 9 years of age. This definition is based on large population studies that have established the normal age range for the onset of puberty in boys. The initiation of puberty involves the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, leading to an increase in sex steroid production and consequent development of secondary sexual characteristics.