X-rays of your child's wrist and hand can show whether the bones are maturing too early. Rarely, imaging tests such as MRIs and ultrasound studies are done to rule out uncommon causes of precocious puberty, such as a tumor in the brain, ovary, or testicle. If your child has precocious puberty, the doctor may refer you to a pediatric endocrinologist a doctor who specializes in growth and hormonal disorders in children for treatment. Sometimes, treatment of a related health problem can stop the precocious puberty.
But in most cases, there's no other disease, so treatment usually involves hormone therapy to stop sexual development. The currently approved hormone treatment is with drugs called LHRH analogs. These synthetic man-made hormones block the body's production of the sex hormones that cause early puberty.
Positive results usually are seen within a year of starting treatment. LHRH analogs are generally safe and usually cause no side effects in kids. In girls, breast size may decrease. In boys, the penis and testicles may shrink back to the size expected for their age.
Growth in height will also slow down to a rate expected for kids before puberty. A child's behavior usually becomes more age-appropriate too.
Give your child a simple, truthful explanation about what's happening. Explain that these changes are normal for older kids and teens, but that his or her body started developing a little too early. Keep your child informed about treatment and what to expect along the way.
Also watch for signs that teasing or other problems may be affecting your child emotionally. Common warning signs to discuss with your doctor include:. How parents react can affect how well kids cope. To promote a healthy body image and strong self-esteem :. The important thing is that doctors can treat precocious puberty. They can help kids keep their adult height potential and limit the emotional and social stress kids may face from maturing early.
Reviewed by: Tal Grunwald, MD. In the meantime, it's important to see a doctor regularly to monitor growth and hormone levels. For most children, being different is painful, and physical differences can be particularly embarrassing for girls. It will be up to you to reassure, comfort, and support your daughter through her daily difficulties, but don't hesitate to get emotional help for your child or for yourself if you need it. You'll also probably want to help your daughter adjust to her new body by taking her shopping for bras, deodorant, and skin care products as they become necessary.
And try not to worry too much. Early or late, puberty is something that we all eventually manage to survive. Recent studies suggest that breast and pubic hair development may be starting earlier, but the age of first menstruation hasn't really changed since the s.
A report from the American Academy of Pediatrics said that signs such as body odor or pubic hair before age 8 or minor breast development before age 2 don't necessarily mean the child will soon be sexually mature. These signs may just be normal variations of puberty an early start with very slow progression, for example and probably don't require special testing or treatment. Ethnicity and weight are also considerations.
African American and Hispanic girls and girls who are obese generally tend to start puberty and menstruate a little earlier — this usually isn't cause for concern. More research needs to be done before we can draw any new conclusions about the timing of puberty. In the meantime, follow the safest guideline: Take your daughter to the doctor for regular checkups, regardless of when she shows the first signs of puberty. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world.
When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Physical development: What's normal? What's not? Physical development in girls: What to expect. American Academy of Pediatrics.
Precocious puberty: When puberty starts early. Kaplowitz P, et al. Evaluation and referral of children with signs of early puberty.
Precocious puberty: A guide for families. Pediatric Endocrine Society. Zimlich R. AAP offers guidance on evaluating early puberty. Join now to personalize. Photo credit: istock. What is precocious puberty? How can I tell if my daughter is starting puberty? Should I call the doctor?
What causes precocious puberty? How is precocious puberty evaluated and treated? How can I support my daughter during early puberty?
Are girls beginning puberty sooner than they used to? When GnRH travels to the pituitary gland a small gland under the brain that produces hormones that control other glands throughout the body , it releases two more puberty hormones — luteinizing hormone LH and follicle-stimulating hormone FSH. At about the same time, the adrenal glands of both boys and girls begin to produce a group of hormones called adrenal androgens.
These hormones stimulate the growth of pubic and underarm hair in both sexes. The physical changes of puberty for a boy usually start with enlargement of the testicles and sprouting of pubic hair, followed by a growth spurt between ages 10 and 16 — on average 1 to 2 years later than when girls start.
His arms, legs, hands, and feet also grow faster than the rest of his body. His body shape will begin to change as his shoulders broaden and he gains weight and muscle. A boy may become concerned if he notices tenderness or swelling under his nipples.
But it usually disappears within 6 months or so. And that first crack in the voice is a sign that his voice is changing and will become deeper. Dark, coarse, curly hair will also sprout just above his penis and on his scrotum, and later under his arms and in the beard area. His penis and testes will get larger, and erections, which a boy begins experiencing as an infant, will become more frequent. Ejaculation — the release of sperm-containing semen — will also occur.
Many boys become concerned about their penis size. A boy may need reassurance, particularly if he tends to be a later developer and he compares himself with boys who are further along in puberty. If a boy is circumcised, he may also have questions about the skin that covers the tip of an uncircumcised penis. Puberty generally starts earlier for girls, some time between 8 and 13 years of age. For most girls, the first evidence of puberty is breast development, but it can be the growth of pubic hair.
As her breasts start to grow, a girl will initially have small, firm, tender lumps called buds under one or both nipples; the breast tissue will get larger and become less firm in texture over the next year or two.
Dark, coarse, curly hair will appear on her labia the folds of skin surrounding the vagina , and later, similar hair will begin growing under her arms. The first signs of puberty are followed 1 or 2 years later by a noticeable growth spurt. Her body will begin to build up fat, particularly in the breasts and around her hips and thighs, as she takes on the contours of a woman. Her arms, legs, hands, and feet will also get bigger.
The culminating event will be the arrival of menarche, her first period menstruation. Depending on the age at which they begin their pubertal development, girls may get their first period between the ages of 9 and The physical changes kids experience as they move toward adulthood often are accompanied by emotional consequences.
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