During this transition process physical, hormonal and emotional changes occur that have typical patterns and timings. Pubertal development is physiologically very variable, but there are also many common and rare disorders that manifest with atypical, early, late or lack of puberty.

This lecture intends to inform about the following learning points: First, to provide the exact definitions of puberty to be able to differentiate puberty variations from pathologies („red flags“). Second, to give an overview on common and rare disorders causing early or late puberty (differential diagnosis). Third, to rise awareness that puberty follows certain patterns and timings and that „weird“ patterns should alert and prompt further investigations. Finally, to inform about current diagnostic and therapeutic options for (idiopathic) early and late puberty, and to advise when to involve the specialists.