Question

Write the etiopathogenesis of precocious puberty.

Hint:

Precocious puberty can have significant emotional and developmental consequences, so early diagnosis and treatment are essential.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding Central Precocious Puberty.
Central precocious puberty occurs due to the early activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This leads to the premature secretion of gonadotropins (LH and FSH), which stimulate the ovaries or testes to produce estrogen or testosterone, causing sexual maturation. It may result from brain tumors, CNS abnormalities, or idiopathic causes.

Step 2: Understanding Peripheral Precocious Puberty.
Peripheral precocious puberty is caused by factors that directly stimulate the gonads to secrete sex hormones, bypassing the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. This can be due to ovarian or testicular tumors, adrenal gland abnormalities, or the exogenous administration of sex hormones.

Step 3: Conclusion.
Both central and peripheral causes of precocious puberty need to be differentiated through detailed evaluation to determine the underlying pathology and appropriate management.