Various endocrine disorders can affect the onset of puberty. Moderate hypothyroidism delays the onset of puberty and menarche, but treatment with thyroxine causes the resumption of pubertal development. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus can delay puberty and cause irregular menses. In its most severe form this is known as Mauriac's syndrome, which is associated with fatty infiltration of the liver, short stature, poor growth, and sexual infantilism. Untreated Cushing's disease can also delay the onset of puberty.
