Advances in pubertal growth and factors influencing it: Can we increase pubertal growth?

• Main Authors: Ashraf Soliman, Vincenzo De Sanctis, Rania Elalaily, Said Bedair
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2014-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Subjects: Genetics; gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analog; growth hormone; hormones; idiopathic short stature; nutrition; pubertal growth
• Online Access: http://www.ijem.in/article.asp?issn=2230-8210;year=2014;volume=18;issue=7;spage=53;epage=62;aulast=
• ISSN: 2230-8210; 2230-9500

Puberty is a period of development characterized by partially concurrent changes which includes growth acceleration, alteration in body composition and appearance of secondary sex characteristics. Puberty is characterized by an acceleration and then deceleration in skeletal growth. The initiation, duration and amount of growth vary considerably during the growth spurt. Pubertal growth and biological maturation are dynamic processes regulated by a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Changes in skeletal maturation and bone mineral accretion concomitant with the stage of pubertal development constitute essential components in the evaluation of growth during this pubertal period. Genetic, endocrine and nutritional factors and ethnicity contribute variably to the amount of growth gained during this important period of rapid changes. Many studies investigated the possibility of increasing pubertal growth to gain taller final adult height in adolescents with idiopathic short stature (ISS). The pattern of pubertal growth, its relation to sex maturity rating and factors affecting them has been addressed in this review. The results of different trials to increase final adult height of adolescents using different hormones have been summarized. These data enables Endocrinologists to give in-depth explanations to patients and families about the efficacy and clinical significance as well as the safety of using these therapies in the treatment of adolescents with ISS.