Precocious puberty is the term for puberty that begins much earlier than usual. Puberty is the process in which a child has a growth spurt and develops the sexual physical features of an adult.
In the brain, the hypothalamus releases chemicals (hormones) that cause the pituitary gland to release hormones called gonadotropins. Gonadotropins stimulate the growth of the sex glands (also called gonads), which in boys are the testicles, and in girls are the ovaries. In boys, the testicles release testosterone; in girls, the ovaries release estrogen. Puberty usually starts between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys.
Children affected by precocious puberty undergo this process much earlier: girls develop secondary sexual characteristics, like breasts, before age 8, and boys with precocious puberty have changes before age 9.
What are the signs of precocious puberty?
The signs and symptoms of precocious puberty in both boys and girls include acne, body odor and a growth spurt. Precocious puberty also causes sexual characteristics to develop early. In girls, these include:
For many children, medications can manage precocious puberty. These medicines include synthetic (man-made) hormones that work by halting the production of reproductive or growth hormones.
Some children need surgery to remove a tumor or other mass that may be causing the symptoms of early puberty. Removing an outside source of reproductive hormones, such as estrogen creams, may be enough to stop early puberty.
What complications are associated with precocious puberty?
Early puberty may cause a growth spurt in a child, but when puberty ends, the child stops growing. Therefore, he or she may be shorter than other children of the same age. Precocious puberty may also be embarrassing for children who are developing more quickly than other children.
How is precocious puberty diagnosed?
The doctor will perform a physical examination and get the child’s medical history. The doctor may order X-rays of the hand to check how mature the child’s bones are. Overproduction of the reproductive hormones causes bones to mature earlier than normal, which suggests precocious puberty.
The doctor may also order blood work to measure hormone levels. If more tests are needed, the doctor may recommend a brain MRI. This test can help rule out brain abnormalities, such as tumors.
Pelvic ultrasound (a test that sends high-frequency sound waves through body tissues to create images of the internal structures of the body) can show cysts or tumors on the ovaries. These growths sometimes cause early puberty in girls.
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