delayed puberty

The delayed puberty - Onset of puberty (sexual maturation) after the age of 14. In most cases, the child is simply developing at a slower rate than normal, a tendency that often runs in families, but in some cases there may be an underlying disorder.

One possible underlying cause of delayed puberty is underproduction of sex hormones. Rarely, the condition results from a problem with the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland, which are responsible for secreting sex hormones; a genetic abnormality affecting sexual development, such as Klinefelter’s syndrome in boys or Turner’s syndrome in girls; or a long-term illness, such as Crohn’s disease.

Certain lifestyle factors, such as excessive exercise or an inadequate diet, may also delay puberty. Treatment depends on the underlying cause. If delayed puberty runs in the child’s family, no action may be needed.

In some cases, however, conditions causing delayed puberty may also lead to infertility, so the child may need further investigations in the future if he or she wishes to have children.