Constitutional delay of puberty versus congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: genetics, management and updates

Abstract

Delayed puberty (DP) affects approximately 2% of adolescents. In the vast majority of patients in both sexes, it is due to constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP), a self-limited condition in which puberty starts later than usual but progresses normally. However, some CDGP patients may benefit from medical intervention with low-dose sex steroids or peroral aromatase inhibitor letrozole (only for boys). Other causes of DP include permanent hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, functional hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (due to chronic diseases and conditions), and gonadal failure. In this review we discuss these themes along with the latest achievements in the field of puberty research, and include a brief synopsis on the differential diagnosis and management of patients with CDGP and congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.