Delayed puberty can be a sign of underlying serious medical condition. Various lesions of the brain like pituitary adenoma and craniopharyngioma can present with delayed puberty. Kids who have undergone brain surgery or radiation to the brain may have delayed puberty.
Various chronic medical diseases involving the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal system, and lungs can present with delayed puberty. Puberty may be delayed in eating disorders and in various diseases which affect the hormonal system like thyroid diseases or diseases of the adrenals.