This book focuses on precocious puberty, providing a unique continuum of expertise looking at puberty from anthropologic, epidemiologic, clinical, and molecular perspectives. The volume addresses broad pubertal changes in the general population while at the same time providing in depth information about specific disorders of puberty and the latest management changes. In particular, the book is intended for endocrinologists and internists.

Zusammenfassung
When puberty is precocious is a question in and of itself. The possibility that puberty is st starting earlier in children of the 21 century has become a contentious topic during the past few years. It has received much attention in the medical literature as well as the lay press. As research methods and interpretation of data vary between the studies that have attempted to resolve this issue, we are pleased to present the reader with three very different approaches to addressing the same question. We are thrilled to have experts in the field of basic science share the most up-to-date understanding of the mechanisms involved in the complicated interplay of factors that initiate puberty in different species. Also reviewed in the book are the many fascinating causes of precocity and new observations regarding the influence of the in utero environment and the affect of adoption from a developing country on pubertal timing. We have also included cutting edge discussions of endocrine disruptors, and the often overlooked psychosocial ramifications of precocious puberty. We believe that this book will be useful to primary care providers as well as specialists who deal with issues regarding abnormalities of puberty and reproduction. The topics covered in these chapters will provide the reader with a solid understanding of the diverse and fascinating causes of precocious puberty and different treatment options.

Inhalt
I: Neuroendocrine Control of Puberty.- 1 Control Puberty in Rodents: Special Focus on the Female.- 2 Control of Puberty in Non-Human Primates.- 3 Control of Puberty in Humans.- 4 Genetic Regulation of the Variation in Pubertal Timing.- II: Secular Trends and the Onset of Puberty.- 5 Puberty Is Starting Earlier in the 21st Century.- 6 BMI and the Onset of Puberty.- 7 Puberty Timing Remains Unchanged.- III: Isolated Breast Development.- 8 Premature Thelarche.- 9 Gynecomastia: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management.- IV: Adrenal Abnormalities and Puberty.- 10 Premature Adrenarche: Harbingers and Consequences.- 11 Pubertal Consequences of Being Born Small for Gestational Age.- 12 Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.- 13 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in the Peripubertal Period.- 14 Psychological and Social Problems in Children With Premature Adrenarche and Precocious Puberty.- V: Gonadotropin-Dependent Precocious Puberty.- 15 Etiology of Gonadotropin-Dependent Precocious Puberty.- 16 Treatment of Gonadotropin Dependent Precocious Puberty.- VI: Gonadotropin-Independent Precocious Puberty.- 17 McCuneAlbright Syndrome: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management.- 18 Familial Male-Limited Precocious Puberty.- 19 Gonadal and Adrenal Tumors.- VII: Environmental Effects on Puberty.- 20 The Role of Endocrine Disruptors in Pubertal Development.- 21 Precocious Puberty in Internationally Adopted Girls.