[Hormonal regulation and hormone therapy in childhood and adolescence. Part 1: development of endocrine glands, hormone production, menarche and secondary sex characteristics].

The growth curves of the endocrine glands in female puberty are described. Adrenarche with an elevated production of adrenal dehydroepiandrosterone marks the beginning of prepuberty. By decrease of hypothalamic sensitivity to sexual steroids begins the deviation of FSH and LH levels. Significant increases of gonadotrophins and prolactin occur during sleep. There is a good correlation between bone age, Tanner-stages of breast and pubic hair development and steroid hormone levels. Criteria of maturity for young girls including menarche and ovulation are given.