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proLékaře.cz / Journals / Czech-Slovak Pediatrics / 2022 - Supplementum 3

Minipuberty – an important and still neglected period of sexual development

Czech version

Authors: Zapletalová Jiřina
Authors‘ workplace: Dětská klinika, Lékařská fakulta Univerzity Palackého a FN Olomouc
Published in: Čes-slov Pediat 2022; 77 (Supplementum 3): 5-10.
Category: Comprehensive Report
doi: https://doi.org/10.55095/CSPediatrie2022/052

Overview

Minipuberty is defined as temporary postnatal activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. The HPG axis is triggered three times during lifetime. The first time in the middle of gestation, when it participates in the development and maturation of the sex glands. This is followed by the so-called minipuberty, which begins a few days after birth and lasts 4-6 months in boys and 2-4 years in girls. After the „hormonally sillent“ childhood comes classical sexual adolescence with the development of secondary sexual signs in the second decade of life and is completed by a complete maturation of the sex glands allowing future reproduction. The existence of mini-puberty has been known for almost 50 years, but its full meaning is still not clarified. Levels of sex hormones reach almost to the values of adult individuals during this period. In boys, the penis grows, testes increase in size, in which germ cells proliferate, in girls, estradiol stimulates the growth of mammary glands and the maturation of ovarian follicles. The physiological course of minipuberty is essential for future sexual development and fertility. At the same time, this period is several months‘ „window of opportunity“ of establishing a diagnosis of some congenital disorders of sexual development. In boys with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, as well as with the possibility of early treatment. The clinical implications of minipuberty in premature babies and infants born young for their gestational age deserve special attention. Minipuberta is considered a real predicition of future sexual development.

Keywords:

estradiol – Luteinizing hormone – testosterone – Minipuberty – hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis – follicle-stimulating hormone – diagnostic window

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Labels
Neonatology Paediatrics General practitioner for children and adolescents
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