Do you have questions about the early onset of puberty in your child?

Like,

Can a seven-year-old have precocious puberty? 

What age is considered early puberty?

Why is my daughter going through precocious puberty?

Your worries are genuine. I understand as my little one is seven years old, and puberty under 8 is the new global trend. 

There are incidences where girls as young as six years have reached puberty.

While looking at my children, I do wonder sometimes that what if they reach puberty early?

The youngest person to hit puberty what I have read so far was a boy aged one year from Delhi, India.

Click on the link to read about this article.

Let’s dive into this article right away.

I will share all the information you need to know about the early onset of puberty.

Disclosure:

“This post may contain affiliate links. I earn a small commission when you purchase through a link provided in this post at no additional cost charged to you. Thanks”

Puberty

A period in which children reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproducing. 

The age of puberty in girls is 8 to 13 years, and in boys 9 to 14 years.

It is an average range within which most adolescents meet puberty. 

Precocious Puberty

It is the onset of puberty before eight years in girls and nine years in boys. 

How Common Is Precocious Puberty

The condition is seen 1 in 5000 to 10,000 children. 

It is more common in girls than boys means it can happen to your son as well.

I often feel that there is more importance given to puberty in girls and less towards boys. Thus, boys need the same amount of care and advice from parents as much as daughters.

Symptoms Of Precocious Puberty

The presentation of precocious puberty differs in each sex.

The signs of early puberty in children differ for girls and boys.

In Girls:

• Breast development
• First periods
• Ovulation

In Boys:

• Increase in size of testicles and penis
• Increase in muscle mass
• Spontaneous erection
• Production of sperms

For Both:

• Pimples
• Voice deepens
• Instant growth spurt. As a result they looks taller than the peers
• Sweating and Odour from it
• Pubic hair growth
• Underarm hair growth
• Hair growth on the face
• Mood Swings
• Angry

What Can Cause Precocious Puberty

The causes for early puberty are the excess secretion of GnRH, estrogen, or testosterone.

The GnRH hormone produced by the hypothalamus triggers puberty. This hormone is called Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ( GnRH).

GnRH stimulates the anterior pituitary and stimulates to secretes Luteinising hormone (LH) and Follicular Stimulating Hormone ( FSH). 

LH and FSH are sex hormones. They stimulate the testicles and ovaries to make sex hormones testosterone and estrogen.

The sex hormones will help the development of secondary sexual characteristics.

The secretion of the sex hormones at an earlier age in your child will cause precocious puberty.

What Are The Types Of Precocious Puberty

It depends on the causes for the early secretion of these two sex hormones.

1. Central Precocious Puberty ( Gonadotropin Dependent )
2. Peripheral Precocious Puberty ( Gonadotropin Independent)

1.Central Precocious Puberty is more common than peripheral precocious puberty.

A family history of precocious puberty is present.

There is an excess release of gonadotropins so it is called gonadotropin-dependent type.

The pathologies associated with the central type are of importance.

The medical conditions associated with central precocious puberty are:

• CNS Tumor – Hypothalamic Hamartoma.
• Infections – Meningitis
• Injury – Head trauma, Neurosurgery, Cranial Radiation
• Malformations – Hydrocephalus, Arachnoid Cyst

2.Peripheral Precocious Puberty is a less common type.

The peripheral type is not due to the excess gonadotropin and called as gonadotropin independent.

The increase in estrogen state causes early bleeding in girls.

There is pathology in the testicles, ovaries, adrenal glands, and pituitary gland.

The pathologies are as follows:

In girls :

• Hypothyroidism
• Ovarian tumors
• Ovarian cyst
• McCune Albright Syndrome
• Exogenous estrogen exposure

In Boys:

• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
• Seminoma
• Germinoma
• Hepatoma
• Exogenous Testosterone exposure

What Are The Risk Factors For Early Puberty

1.Obesity

There is an association between obesity and puberty.

Central obesity is the presence of fat around the tummy.

It increases the incidence of precocious puberty.

2.Dietary factors.

The children who consumed unhealthy and junk food main diet attained early puberty.

3.Emotional Factors

The emotional disturbances and stress at home increase the chances of early puberty in children.

4.Race

The African American Race children are more prone to precocious puberty.

5.Radiation therapy

Cranial radiation therapy cause early onset of puberty in girls treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

6.Use of creams and ointment containing sex hormones

Being exposed to estrogen and testosterone through creams and lotions.

It can induce precocious puberty in those kids.

Disclosure:

“This post may contain affiliate links. I earn a small commission when you purchase through a link provided in this post at no additional cost charged to you. Thanks”

Complications

1.Short stature

The early puberty and height of your child have a significant association.

They grew tall with a growth spurt when compared to their peers. 

Growth cessation occurs when puberty completes. As a result short height in them.

2. Social and Emotional Problems

The children notice the changes in their bodies and become self-conscious about themselves.

Children had depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, and other behavioral problems.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of the condition is by conducting the following evaluation.

1. The doctor will note the family history of the child.
2. Physical examination to document the puberty-related changes.
3. Blood investigations to check the hormone levels.
4. X-Ray to know about their bone growth.

Treatment of Precocious Puberty

The prime treatment goal is to provide a normal childhood.

 And reversing sexual maturation and regulating the growth spurt.

GnRH analog delays further growth in the child.

The child receives treatment till they reach puberty. 

Treatment options are available as injections and implants.

The doctor treats underlying medical condition which caused precocious puberty.

Parents Role 

The parents should understand and help the child handle the changes in them. 

The family should not comment about the child.

Parents should explain what is happening with the child and why it is happening with honesty.

Enquire from your child from time to time if she is being teased or bullied in the school.

Boost the child’s self-esteem by speaking to them.

The entire family should be part of the process.

Be watchful for the warning signs of depression and mood changes.

On noticing the mood swings and depression, take your child to psychiatric counseling.

How To Prevent Early Puberty

Motivate your child to carry on a healthy weight.

Avoid exposure from an outside source of hormones like estrogen and testosterone.

Inspire your child to eat a balanced meal and avoiding unhealthy junk foods.