Puberty Flashcards
Gonadarche
Activation of the gonads by FSH-LH
Adrenarche
Increase in production of androgens by the adrenal cortex
Thelarche
Appearnce of breast tissue -> oestradiol
Menarche
First menstrual bleed - estradiol on endometrial lining - non ovulatory
Spermarche
First sperm produciton - nocturnal sperm emissions
Pubarche
Appearnce of pubic hair -> androgens from adrenal gland
First appearance of axillary hair, apocrine body odor and acne
What is acne caused by
Androgenic stimulation
Higher serum levles of DHEAS
What is precocious puberty in boys
Before 9 years - testicular volume goes from 3 to 4
What is precocious puberty in girls
Before 8 years - breast budding
Define true central precocious puberty
Gonadotropin dependent
Early maturation of the HPG axis
Sequential maturation
Sexual characteristics appropriate for the child’s gender
Define peripheral precocity
Gonadotropin independent
Excess of secretion of sex hormones - gonads, adrenal glands, exogenous sources of sex steroids, ectopic production of gonadotropin from a germ cell tumor
Non-sequential maturation
Isosexual or contrasexual
Define benign pubertal variants
Premature thelarche and adrenarche
Isolated androgen-mediated sexual characteristics
Isolated breast development/not beyond tanner stage 3
LH and FSH between normal range
Mild elevation in serum DHEAS
What are the signs of TCPP
Accelearted linear growth
Advanced bone age
Pubertal levels of LH and FSH
What are the causes of TCPP
Mostly idiopathic in boy
CNS lesions
Genetics - gain of KISS1 and KISS1R, lss of function in MKRNS (Prader-Willi syndrome)
McCune Albright
What are the causes of peripheral precocity in girls
Ovarian cysts (breast development, vaginal bleeding - ovarian torsian)
Granulosa cell tumours - isosexual precocity
Sertoli/leydig cell tumours -> contrasexual precocity (virilisation)