Pubertal Delay
Aka: Pubertal Delay, Delayed Puberty
II. Definition
- Delayed Adolescence in Phenotypic Male or Female
- Girls:
- Boys:
- Testicular length under 2.5 cm by age 14 years
- Genital growth not complete five years from start
III. History
- Timing of secondary sexual characteristics
- Exposures
- Chemotherapy or radiation exposure (Hypogonadism)
- Head Trauma
- Conditions
- Cryptorchidism (Hypogonadism)
- Turner Syndrome (Webbed Neck, Short Stature)
- Family History of Delayed Puberty
- Symptoms
- Abdominal Pain (gastrointestinal disorders)
- Anosmia (Kallmann Syndrome)
- Galactorrhea (Hyperprolactinemia)
- Headache or vision changes (intracranial pathology)
- Hyperthyroidism or Hypothyroidism symptoms
- Vasomotor symptoms in girls, such as Hot Flushes (ovarian insufficiency)
- Weight loss, decreased Caloric Intake, excessive Exercise (e.g. Eating Disorder)
IV. Exam
- Constitutional
- Plot height, weight and Body Mass Index on growth curves
- Calculate Growth Velocity
- Calculate Midparental Height
- Compare Midparental Height with projected height from growth curve
- Abnormal if difference >10 cm
- Findings
- Growth Delay (Eating Disorder, systemic disease, Malnutrition)
- Short Stature (Turner stature)
- Tall Stature (Klienfelter syndrome)
- Plot height, weight and Body Mass Index on growth curves
- Head and Neck
- Thyromegaly (Hypogonadism)
- Genitourinary
- Sexual maturity staging (Tanner Stage) with delayed findings
- Asymmetric Testes (Orchitis, e.g. mumps)
- Small, firm Testes (Klinefelter Syndrome)
- Vagina
- Thin, red instead of dull pink mucosa due to lack of Estrogen exposure (Hypogonadism)
- Musculoskeletal
- Joint Pain (inflammatory condition)
- Neurologic
- Focal neurologic deficits (intracranial pathology)
V. Differential Diagnosis
VI. Labs (See Evaluation below)
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- Estradiol Level (in girls)
- Testosterone Level (in boys)
- Labs for abnormal Growth Velocity
- Serum Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Serum Prolactin
- Insulinlike Growth Factor I
- Labs for suspected chromosomal abnormalities (Step 2b below)
- Consider Chromosome Analysis
- Labs for suspected Hypogonadotropic Causes of Delayed Puberty
- Consider GnRH Stimulation Test (Step 2a below)
VII. Imaging (See Evaluation below)
VIII. Evaluation: Step 1 – Initial Evaluation
- Clinical history and physical
- Evaluate Pubertal Milestones (See Tanner Staging)
- Evaluate growth chart
- Obtain Left Wrist XRay for Bone Age
IX. Evaluation: Step 2 – Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) interpretation
- Above Prepubertal range LH or FSH
- Hypergonadotropic Hypogonadism (5-10% of boys, 25% of girls)
- Repeat FSH and LH
- Obtain karyotype
- Refer to pediatric endocrinology
- Pubertal range LH or FSH
- Constitutional delay of growth and Puberty (see above)
- Repeat measurements in 1-3 months
- Prepubertal range LH or FSH
- Persistent Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism (10% of boys, 20% of girls)
- Dysmorphic features (e.g. Turner Syndrome)
- Radiation exposure
- Head Trauma
- Brain Tumor
- Constitutional delay of growth and Puberty (60% of boys, 30% of girls)
- Most common cause of Delayed Puberty (diagnosis of exclusion)
- Consistent findings
- Delayed Bone Age
- Family History of Delayed Puberty (75% have parental Pubertal Delay)
- Consider Jump Start Therapy
- Indications
- Girls over age 13 years and boys over 14 years
- No spontaneous Puberty after 6 months of observation
- Example protocol for boys
- Testosterone cypionate or enanthate 50 -100 mg IM per month
- Example protocol for girls
- Estradiol 6.2 mcg (25% of 25 mcg patch) applied to skin overnight for 3-6 months
- Indications
- Consider referral to pediatric endocrinology
- No pubertal progression after 4-6 months after jump start therapy
- Functional Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism (20% of boys, 20% of girls)
- Malnutrition or chronic disease (e.g. Celiac Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Thyroid disease)
- Persistent Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism (10% of boys, 20% of girls)
X. Evaluation: Step 3a – Unremarkable Evaluation in Step 1
- Findings
- Unremarkable exam except Delayed Puberty
- Patient has not yet experienced growth spurt
- Bone Age less than Chronological age
- Differential Diagnosis
- Constitutional delay
- See Hypogonadotropic Causes of Delayed Puberty
- Primary gonadal failure
- Serious athletic training
- Further evaluation
- Observation
- Laboratory testing as above
- Imaging evaluation as above
- Management
- Counseling and reassurance
- Consider sex Hormone Replacement for some patients
XI. Evaluation: Step 3b – Suspect Chromosomal Abnormality
- Findings
- Abnormal exam suggests chromosomal abnormality
- Bone Age may be less than Chronological age
- Diagnosis
- Girls: Turner’s Syndrome
- Boys: Klinefelter’s Syndrome
- Noonan’s Syndrome
- Further evaluation
- Chromosome analysis
- Management
- Counseling
- Sex Hormone Replacement
- Oophorectomy in Turner’s Syndrome (malignancy risk)
XII. Evaluation: Step 3c – Suspect Chronic Disease in Step 1
- Findings suggestive of chronic disease
- Overt chronic illness signs or symptoms
- Short Stature
- Slow growth rate
- Bone Age less than Chronological age
- Differential Diagnosis
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Malnutrition
- Kallmann’s Syndrome
- Hypopituitarism
- Anosmia or Hyposmia
- Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism
- Iatrogenic
- Hypopituitarism
- Findings
- Growth failure
- Hypothyroidism
- Adrenal Insufficiency
- Diabetes Insipidus
- Delayed Puberty
- Causes
- Intracranial lesion (esp. involving pituitary)
- Infection of Pituitary Gland (e.g. Tuberculosis)
- Head Injury
- Findings
- Chronic Systemic Illness
- Malignancy
- Chronic infection
- Chronic metabolic disease
- Further evaluation
- Work-up suspected underlying chronic disease