Puberty in Children
Puberty in Children
The wordprecocious refers to a child who exhibits exceptional maturity or skill at an unusually early age. When used in a non-medical context, it could refer to a child that is extraordinarily talented in music, mathematics, athletics, or other cognitive areas. Pediatricians use the termprecocious puberty in reference to children who show hormonal manifestations and physical characteristics of puberty at an earlier age than normal.
How Early Is Too Early?
Puberty typically begins within the age range of 8 to 13 for females and between the age of 9 and 14 for boys. A girl who shows the physical signs of puberty, such as breast development and pubic hair growth, before age 8 is said to have precocious puberty. Boys who exhibit the physical signs of puberty before age 9 are said to have precocious puberty. With the onset of early puberty, kids grow rapidly. Children with untreated precocious puberty do not usually reach their genetic height. Boys often grow no taller than 5 feet 2 inches and girls often grow to only 5 feet.
How Puberty Begins
A complex physiological system known as thehypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG) is responsible for initiating the onset of puberty. The hypothalamus gland releasesgonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH), which then triggers the pituitary gland to secreteluteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). LH and FSH stimulate the sexual organs to produceestrogen in girls andtestosterone in boys, causing the physical signs of puberty. When the body initiates this system early, precocious puberty occurs.
Signs and Symptoms
Any signs of puberty in young children are cause for concern. The physical signs are the same seen in a child undergoing puberty at a normal age. Some of the signs of puberty for girls and boys are the same, but most are different.
Signs of Puberty in Girls
Breast development
Pubic hair development
Body odor
Menstruation
Rapid growth in height
Acne
Signs of Puberty in Boys
Enlargement of penis and testicles
Pubic hair development
Facial hair growth
Body odor
Acne
Deepening of voice
Rapid growth in height
Why Does Puberty Sometimes Start Early?
The cause of precocious puberty in children depends on the type that the pediatric endocrinologist determines they have. Characteristics of two types of precocious puberty are as follows:
Gonadotropin-Dependent (Central Precocious Puberty) often has no clearly identifiable trigger. The HPG axis begins too early and normal pubertal development begins in the young child. There is usually no adjunct medical condition triggering the onset and no other identifiable cause. Rarely, serious underlying causes are to blame: brain or spinal tumor; infection of the central nervous system (CNS); injury to the CNS; radiation exposure; various genetic disorders that affect the endocrine system.
Gonadotropin-Independent (Peripheral Precocious Puberty) is caused by the presence of estrogen or testosterone in the child's system that is not a result of early HPG axis initiation. Problems with the pituitary, adrenal glands, testicles, or ovaries are to blame for the untimely presence of estrogen or testosterone.
The presence of an estrogen- or testosterone-secreting tumor in the pituitary or adrenal glands can cause the condition in both boys and girls. In both genders, exposure to outside sources of the hormones in creams and ointments may trigger early puberty as well as genetic disorders.
For girls, ovarian cysts or tumors may cause peripheral precocious puberty. Boys may have a tumor in the sperm producing cells (germ cells) orLeydig Cells (cells that produce testosterone). Rarely, boys have a gene mutation calledfamilial gonadotropin-independent sexual precocity.
Prepare for a Visit to a Pediatric Endocrinologist
Once the pediatric doctor examines your child and determines that he may have precocious puberty, he will likely refer you to a pediatric endocrinologist. Arrive prepared with the following: a list of your child's symptoms; medications and supplements he currently takes; a record of family heights; a family medical history; and a copy of your child's growth chart - all of which can be obtained from your child's pediatric clinic.
Diagnosis
The pediatrician will review your family history and the other information you supplied. After a physical exam, he will order blood tests to check the levels of various hormones. An X-ray of your child's hand and wrist will determine the bone age and whether he is growing too fast. Once precocious puberty is confirmed, the physician must then determine which type your child has. To do this, he will inject Gn-RH into your child's bloodstream and then take a blood sample. With central precocious puberty, LH and FSH levels rise. With peripheral precocious puberty, they remain the same. He will order additional tests specific to your child's type of condition to confirm or exclude underlying medical conditions.
Treatment
The cause of the precocious puberty determines the treatment. Children with central precocious puberty receive a treatment known as Gn-RH Analogue Therapy. The child receives a monthly injection of a medication, such as leuprolide, that halts the HPG axis and consequently stops the pubertal development. Once she reaches the normal age of puberty, treatment is stopped and puberty begins once again.
Those with peripheral precocious puberty will have the underlying cause of their condition removed. If a hormone-secreting tumor is to blame, it will be surgically removed. In either type of early puberty, if a genetic disorder is the cause, the child may need medications and therapy in addition to those regularly used. The Perfect Children Snacks For Your Children's Oral Care Serving to Your Child Get Over Anxiety The complete lot You Need to Recognise About Kid Anxiety Holidays - BE the Child Within Your Heart Summer Safety Tips for Children and Parents Getting Kids Interested in Chess NYC Charity Event Fundraiser for Children in Need Life Coaching for Teens: Increased Self-esteem, Confidence, and Motivation Sending child support overseas Child ADD ADHD – Looking For Answers And Seeking Solutions Anxiety-Free Child Program for Anxiety Disorders in Children Safety first: teach your children to swim Childcare and Behavioral Issues