When your child enters puberty, it marks a pivotal transition from childhood to adulthood. Early puberty can affect not only your child’s physical growth but also their emotional well-being. Recognising the signs and causes is vital in obtaining an early diagnosis and seeking treatment.
What is Precocious Puberty
Puberty marks the transition from childhood to adolescence. When these changes come early, it is considered precocious puberty. The age cutoff for precocious puberty is before 8 in girls or before 9 in boys. The signs of puberty are different in boys and girls. Identifying these changes can be tricky, especially for first-time parents.
How to tell if your child is experiencing precocious puberty:
● In girls: Breast development, acne, oily skin, body odor, and menstruation
● In boys: Enlargement of the testicles and penis, growth spurts, acne, oily skin, body
odor, and voice change
Premature physical changes can cause emotional challenges in children. Trends in Thailand and worldwide show that children are beginning to enter puberty earlier. Parents who identify these changes in their child should seek medical attention.
Why is it Happening Earlier?
The causes of precocious puberty are still unclear, but several factors may be involved,
including:
● Diet and Weight: Consuming processed foods, sugary snacks, and full-fat dairy, combined with obesity, may accelerate puberty.
● Environmental Factors: Exposure to plastic chemicals may contribute, but it hasn’t been proven.
● Genetics: Children of parents who experienced precocious puberty are more likely to experience it themselves.
● Medical Conditions: Some conditions, such as pituitary tumors, head injuries, or tumors of the ovary or testicles, can cause premature hormone production.
● Idiopathic cases: Many cases do not have an identifiable cause, especially in girls.
Why Should Parents be Concerned?
Precocious puberty can affect:
- Emotional and Social Well-being: Children may face mood swings, irritability, feelings of isolation, or unwanted attention.
- Final Height: Children who enter puberty early seem to grow taller at first, but their growth plates close sooner, leading to a shorter adult height. If signs of premature puberty are detected, a pediatric endocrinologist should be consulted for a proper treatment plan.
How is Precocious Puberty Diagnosed?
When precocious puberty is suspected, doctors will undertake a series of tests to confirm
the condition. The diagnosis procedure includes:
● Physical Examination: Check for signs of puberty and secondary sexual characteristics.
● Bone Age X-ray: Asses bone density to determine if bones are maturing faster than the actual age.
● Hormone Tests: Measure estrogen or testosterone through a blood test.
Can Precocious Puberty be Treated?
Effective treatment is available. Hormone-suppressing injections are used to temporarily pause puberty. The injections are given every 1, 3, or 6 months, depending on the treatment plan. Once treatment stops, puberty resumes naturally. During treatment, children should get balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate sleep to optimize growth potential. Children must maintain healthy lifestyle habits during treatment. If you notice early signs of puberty in your child, consult a pediatric endocrinologist for advice. Schedule a consultation at Samitivej Hospital with Dr. Piyarat Lertbunnaphong, M.D., and
expert in Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism to ensure your child’s long-term well-being.
