Abnormalities in Puberty Scientific and Clinical Advances

Annotation This book on abnormalities in puberty presents an overview on the latest knowledge on the mechanisms of the developmental processes of puberty. Although the exact mechanisms of reawakening of the GnRH pulse generator at the onset of puberty still have to be elucidated, many genetic and environmental factors have been identified to play a major role. Topics discussed in individual chapters include the endocrine and metabolic issues related to the 'developmental origin of adult disease' hypothesis and polycystic ovary syndrome as well as abnormalities in GnRH controlling genes, GnRH-secreting hamartoma as a model for the onset of puberty, experience on the application of GnRH analogues in the treatment of central precocious puberty, and the psychosocial effects of an early puberty. This issue provides the paediatrician, endocrinologist, gynaecologist and general practitioner with underlying information as well as practical tokens on how to manage the various conditions of a disturbed process of puberty.