Pubertal growth and sexual maturation for adolescents with chronic illness or disability.

In adolescents with chronic illness or disability, the progress of puberty may be abnormal. Growth or sexual maturation may be delayed. In some cases, adulthood may be characterized by short stature or sexual immaturity. Genetic endowment, nutritional deficiency, or concomitants of treatment all may contribute to disordered growth; frequently the basis of abnormal physical development in adolescence is multifactorial. This paper reviews the major mechanisms by which chronic conditions may interfere with puberty and discusses the effects of common chronic conditions on the pubertal process.