CHANDIGARH, 04.11.25-Dr. Rama Walia, Additional Professor at PGIMER's Department of Endocrinology, for delivering the Subhash Mukherjee Oration—a tribute to the pioneer in Indian reproductive medicine. In her lecture, she addressed Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism, a condition disrupting puberty due to faulty hormonal signals from the brain to reproductive glands, often caused by genetics, tumors, infections, or illnesses. It leads to delayed puberty (no signs by age 13 in girls or 14 in boys), short stature, low bone density, infertility, and emotional distress.

Dr. Walia explained puberty basics—hormone-driven changes like breast/testicular growth, voice deepening, and menstruation—and contrasted delayed puberty with precocious puberty (starting before age 8 in girls or 9 in boys). Untreated, these cause physical issues (e.g., stunted growth, osteoporosis), fertility problems, and psychological effects like anxiety. Treatments include hormone therapies (e.g., GnRH pulses, testosterone/estrogen) for delayed cases and suppressants for early ones, offering hope for normal development.

She stressed early detection by parents/teachers via age milestones and urged routine screenings. PGIMER's outpatient services handle such cases, transforming lives through intervention. Key research highlights: Dr. Walia's FSH-stimulated Inhibin B test (100% accurate for diagnosing delays, per JCEM) and a trial on low-dose hCG/FSH/testosterone therapy for fertility in hypogonadism (Endocrine Practice). The oration calls for awareness to improve child health outcomes.