By Tony Ogwu (OCD)Puberty is the process of physical changes through which a child’s body matures into an adult body capable of sexual reproduction to enable fertilization. It is simply the time in life when a boy or girl becomes sexually mature.
Puberty is a process leading to physical and sexual maturation that involves the development of secondary sexual characteristics as well as growth, changes in the body composition and psychosocial maturation, puberty usually begins between 8 and 14 year of age in girls and 9 and 14 years of age in boys.
Puberty is abnormal in the following cases:
Precocious Puberty
This is when there are signs of secondary sexual maturation before 8 years of age in girls or before 9 years of age in boys. In addition, there may be a growth spurt in height, but with early bone maturity that can lead to shorter than normal height. Signs seen in girls include breast growth and a first period. Boys may have enlarged testicles and pennies, facial hair and a deepening voice. Boys and girls may have pubic or under arm hair growth, acne and body odor.
Delayed Puberty
The onset of puberty can also be delayed. Generally, this is defined as the lack of any signs of puberty by 14 in either sex. Most of ten, it’s simply a pattern of growth and development in a family. If the parents, uncle, aunt, sibling or cousins developed later than usual, this is called constitutional delay. It may just be that your child is a late bloomer and won’t require any treatment. Medical problems are also a frequent reason for delays in puberty. Nutritional concerns may also contribute. A child who is malnourished either because of a lack of food or because of an eating disorder may lose so much weight that his or her body can’t develop properly. Girls who are otherwise well nourished but extremely active in sports may not have the proper amount of fat in their bodies to start puberty. Puberty can also be delayed if certain glands are not functioning correctly.
CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia is a common genetic disorder that is usually seen at birth. It prevents the body from making enough cortisol. Those with congenital adrenal hyperplasia may have other hormone imbalances. For many children, the disease may never be diagnosed because the symptoms are not causing problems. Milder forms may be diagnosed in either children or adults. Symptosms of the milder form include shorter than average height, early puberty, and extra facial hair in women. Symptoms of a more severe type include dehydration, low blood pressure and blood sugar. In girls, there may be differences in external genitals. This is usually seen at birth and may require surgery to correct.
TURNER SYNDROME
Turner syndrome is a genetic disorder that occurs in girls. It causes the girl to be short and to have an abnormal puberty.
Symptoms include:
Puffiness of hands and feet at birth
Wideness and webbing of the neck
Low hairline at the back of the neck
A board chest with widely spaced nipples
KLINEFELTER SYNDROME (KS)
This occurs when a boy is born with an extra X- Chromosome. Boys normally have only one X- and one Y- chromosome the presence of the extra X chromosome can cause some boys with this condition to have low testosterone levels, sometimes delaying the appearance of the physical changes commonly associated with puberty. Boys with Ks often have smaller testes than expected for their age as they approach puberty and can also have little facial hair and a female pattern and can also have little facial hair and a female pattern of fat distribution on their bodies.
ANDROGEN INSENSITIVITY SYNDROME
Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) occurs when a child has one X- and one Y- chromosome as a boy does but the body doesn’t process or is resistant to male hormones. This result in a child with mostly female characteristics but the genetic makeup of a man. Complete AIS prevents the development of the penis and other male body parts. Those with complete AIS appear as a female sex and shown little armpit and public hair. At puberty, female does not menstruate and cannot have children.
Hypogonadism
Hypogonadism occurs when the testicles do not produce enough testosterone. Primary hypogonadism is when there is a problem or abnormality in the testicles themselves. Secondary or central hypogonadism occurs when there is a problem with the pituitary gland in the chain and the message to produce the hormone isn’t sent.
It is advised that persons with any of theses condition should see a doctor for prescription and treatment.
SPECIAL THANKS TO
MIS BLESSING AIRE, COLLAGE OF MEDICINE, AMBROSE ALLI UNIVERSITY EKPOMA;
WHOSE CONTRIBUTION MADE THIS EDITION POSSIBLE.
