Disorders of Puberty and Their Management

Puberty is the key developmental stage when transition from childhood to adulthood occurs, with the achievement of adult height and body proportions, development of external sexual characteristics, and the capacity to reproduce. The biological control of puberty onset and progression is complex and involves multiple endocrine systems interacting in an ordered and progressive pattern. Disorders of puberty can be due to aberrations that occur from early in fetal life up to adolescence and can be secondary to complex syndromes or found in isolation. This chapter covers both precocious and delayed puberty, the main disorders underlying these presentations, and how to evaluate and manage individuals with these conditions in clinical practice.