Delayed puberty
Delayed Puberty
Delayed puberty (pronounced: de-lay-ed pu-ber-ty) is a medical condition where physical changes and growth associated with puberty occur later than the typical age range.
Etymology
The term 'Delayed puberty' is derived from two words. 'Delayed' comes from the Old English 'gelædan', meaning 'to make late', and 'puberty' originates from the Latin 'pubertas', meaning 'age of maturity'.
Definition
Delayed puberty is defined as the absence of the onset of puberty by an age that is 2-2.5 standard deviations above the mean age of onset of puberty. In girls, this is typically by age 13, and in boys, by age 14.
Causes
Delayed puberty can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic disorders, chronic illnesses, malnutrition, and certain endocrine disorders. It can also be a normal variant, particularly in boys, known as constitutional delay of growth and puberty.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of delayed puberty typically involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, and may include blood tests to assess hormone levels. In some cases, imaging tests such as an X-ray of the hand and wrist to determine bone age may be performed.
Treatment
Treatment for delayed puberty depends on the underlying cause. If the delay is due to a chronic illness or nutritional deficiency, treating the underlying condition or improving nutrition may help. If the delay is due to an endocrine disorder, hormone therapy may be recommended.
Related Terms
- Puberty
- Constitutional delay of growth and puberty
- Endocrine disorders
- Genetic disorders
- Chronic illnesses
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Delayed puberty
- Wikipedia's article - Delayed puberty
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski