Endocrine disruption represents one of the most controversial environmental issues of our time. Mounting evidence stemming from more than 10 years of experimental, epidemiological and clinical studies has transformed the once generally discounted subject of endocrine disruptors into an issue of tremendous concern not only within the scientific community but among society as a whole. Following initial evidence from basic research, endocrine disruption in humans has now emerged as a major medical challenge. In this respect, puberty, a crucial developmental stage, has been definitively identified as a key window of vulnerability with regard to endocrine disruptors. Written by leading authorities in the field, Endocrine Disruptors and Puberty offers an engaging and comprehensive overview of this fascinating and rapidly growing problem. An indispensable resource for all clinicians and scientists interested in this challenging endocrinologic topic, Endocrine Disruptors and Puberty is a timely contribution that will help navigate a path toward understanding the problem and developing solutions.

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.

This book focuses on the state of the art in fully grasping precocious puberty and its consequences, incorporating advances in the areas of endocrinology, genetics, imaging and therapeutics to offer an indispensable tool for all physicians interested in the latest advances in this field. The authors present the latest findings on early puberty in girls and boys. The dynamic process of maturation is influenced by many signals and reshapes growing children’s role within their environment. Readers will benefit from the educational value and level of depth of the individual chapters; written by respected experts and in a self-contained format, they can also be read separately to address specific interests.

Puberty is a unique paradigm for the understanding of gene-environment interaction and developmental programming. Therefore, normal and abnormal pubertal development can be divided and examined in three sections: the role of genetic factors, the role of environmental factors (including nutrition) and therapeutic issues in disorders of puberty. Dealing with all of these sections and framed along current key concepts in pediatric endocrinology, experts share their view on critical issues such as weighting of genetic versus environmental factors or the impact of environmental factors in relation to critical periods in development. Not only showing the consensus and controversial issues in the various areas, each chapter presents lessons for clinical management in an attempt to link basic research, physiology and pathophysiology with the clinical management of pubertal disorders. Puberty from Bench to Clinic bridges up-to-date concepts from animal and human physiology and pathology towards a better understanding and management of pubertal disorders, making it a unique resource for researchers in the field of development and reproduction, clinical scientists and practitioners in neuro-, pediatric and adolescent endocrinology as well as gynecology.

Bringing together the latest knowledge on the growth and development of children and the most important abnormalities of puberty, this comprehensive text presents the current views on the pathogenesis, diagnostic possibilities and therapeutic options of the main deviations from the normal course of puberty (e.g., precocious and delayed puberty). The chain of physical and hormonal changes in the transitional years is carefully followed, including the regulation of the hypothalamic pulse generator as well as the timing of puberty. Further topics include growth disturbances, adolescent varicocele, adolescent gynecomastia, polycystic ovary syndrome, pubertal acne, and the psychosocial development of adolescents with pubertal abnormalities. Written and edited by internationally noted experts, Puberty will be an excellent resource for pediatricians, endocrinologists, gynecologists, andrologists, urologists, family practitioners, child psychologists and public health specialists – all those who will be challenged in their everyday practice with the problems of puberty.

More children born today will survive to adulthood than at any time in history. It is now time to emphasize health and development in middle childhood and adolescence--developmental phases that are critical to health in adulthood and the next generation. Child and Adolescent Health and Development explores the benefits that accrue from sustained and targeted interventions across the first two decades of life. The volume outlines the investment case for effective, costed, and scalable interventions for low-resource settings, emphasizing the cross-sectoral role of education. This evidence base can guide policy makers in prioritizing actions to promote survival, health, cognition, and physical growth throughout childhood and adolescence.