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Precocious puberty
Pubertas praecox
Puberty is the time during which a person's sexual and physical characteristics mature. Precocious puberty is when these body changes happen earlier than normal.
Causes
Puberty usually begins between ages 8 and 14 for girls and ages 9 and 16 for boys.
The exact age a child enters puberty depends on a number of factors, including family history, nutrition, and gender.
Often there is no clear cause for precocious puberty. Some cases are due to changes in the brain, genetic problems, or certain tumors that release hormones. These conditions include:
- Disorders of the testicles, ovaries, or adrenal glands
-
Tumor of the
hypothalamus
(hypothalamic hamartoma)
Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is an area of the brain that produces hormones that control:Body temperatureHungerMoodRelease of hormones from many glands, especial...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Tumors that release a hormone called hCG
Symptoms
In girls, precocious puberty is when any of the following develop before age 8:
- Armpit or pubic hair
- Beginning to grow faster
- Breasts
- First period (menstruation)
- Mature outer genitals
In boys, precocious puberty is when any of the following develop before age 9:
- Armpit or pubic hair
- Growth of the testes and penis
- Facial hair, often first on the upper lip
- Muscle growth
- Voice change (deepening)
Exams and Tests
The doctor will perform a physical exam to check for signs of precocious puberty.
Tests that may be ordered include:
- Blood tests to check hormone levels
-
CT
or
MRI
scan of the brain or of the
abdomen
to rule out tumors.
CT
A computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleMRI
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleAbdomen
An abdominal CT scan is an imaging method. This test uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomog...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article
Treatment
Depending on the cause, treatment for precocious puberty may include:
- Medicines to stop the release of sexual hormones
- Surgery to remove a tumor
Possible Complications
Children who go through puberty too early may not reach their full height because growth stops too early.
Children with early sexual development may have psychological and social problems. Children and adolescents want to be the same as their peers. Early sexual development can make them appear different. Parents can support their child by explaining the condition and how the doctor plans to treat it.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
See your child's health care provider if:
- Your child shows signs of precocious puberty
- Any child with early sexual development appears to be having problems in school or with peers
References
Garibaldi L, Chemaitilly W. Disorders of pubertal development. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St Geme JW III, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 562.
Haddad NG, Eugster EA. Precocious puberty. In: Jameson JL, De Groot LJ, de Kretser DM, et al, eds. Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 121.
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Endocrine glands - illustration
Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the pace of chemical activity in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).
Endocrine glands
illustration
-
Male and female reproductive systems - illustration
The male and female reproductive systems, viewed from a mid-sagittal section.
Male and female reproductive systems
illustration
-
Endocrine glands - illustration
Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the pace of chemical activity in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).
Endocrine glands
illustration
-
Male and female reproductive systems - illustration
The male and female reproductive systems, viewed from a mid-sagittal section.
Male and female reproductive systems
illustration
Review Date: 7/10/2015
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
