Neuroendocrine processes relevant to the childhood years

Childhood is normally a time period of quiescence for both physical growth and reproductive tract processes. An enormous integration of neuroendocrine events begins during fetal life to establish both HPG and HPA circuits. Furter maturational activity occurs during the quiescent physical years of childhood in preparation for the normal reproductive events of adolescence. Noticeable processes of the reproductive tract prior to puberty are uncommon. Some of childhood gynecology represents abnormalities that occur within these HPG/HPA systems. A few of these conditions are rare temporary physical responses or exaggerations of normal endocrine events. As will be seen throughout this symposium, the study of childhood gynecology may also involve processes which are quite independent of these neuroendocrine changes and which involve only the distal arm of the reproductive tract.