study of delayed puberty in females referred to pediatric endocrine clinic for 5 years [from 78/12/29 to 82/12/1]

The study of causes of delayed puberty in female referred to pediatric endocrine ward of university centers of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences from 1374 to 1382. This study was done both retrospectively and prospectively in a descriptive analytic manner. The studied population were 31 girls with delayed puberty referred to endocrinology pediatric clinic. The data was collected through history, physical examination, completing questionnaires, and was compared by T Test student Statistical analysis performed with SPSS-excel. On the whole, 31 girls with delayed puberty were studied. The mean age of the patients was 14.93 +/- 1.46 yr. Average bone age and weight was 10 +/- 1.5 and 31 +/- 8.3 gr respectively. Z score of Height and weight for Age was -3.83 an -2.68 respectively. Serum estradiol level in all patients was less than normal. Delayed puberty in 27% was constitutional, 23% had Turner syndrome. Major thalassemia was the cause in 13% of the cases. The prevalence of hypothyroidism in the population was 10% other systemic diseases such as, fancony syndrome etc were the less common causes of delayed puberty. Constitutional delayed puberty [27%] and Turner syndrome [23%] were the most common causes of hypogonadism and delayed puberty which concurs with other studies. The prevalence of major thalassemia [13%] is more than other studies which needs further studies. Attention to signs of puberty in the girls referring to physician at the time of puberty, leads to early diagnosis of delayed puberty in the patients. And also karyotype study is recommended in all girls with short stature and growth retardation