General Information About Precocious Puberty
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the process of the body physically and hormonally transforming into an adult (puberty) starting at an abnormally early age: before 8 years in girls and before 9 years in boys.
True (Central): The pituitary gland in the brain awakens too early and initiates the entire puberty system in its normal sequence.
False (Peripheral): The brain has not awakened, but a cyst/tumor in the adrenal glands or ovaries produces hormones independently, causing isolated symptoms like hair growth or bleeding.
In girls, the earliest sign is the budding and growth of breast tissue. In boys, it is the enlargement of the testicles and penis in volume. In both sexes, it is accompanied by rapid growth spurts, underarm/genital hair growth, and a stronger body odor.
Puberty hormones (estrogen) cause bones to elongate rapidly, making the child initially much taller than their peers. However, the same hormone causes the growth (epiphyseal) plates of the bones to close prematurely, bringing growth to an abrupt halt and resulting in a very short adult height.
The child's growth rate is measured, and an X-ray of the left wrist is taken to determine bone age. The diagnosis is confirmed by checking FSH, LH, estrogen, and testosterone levels in the blood (LHRH stimulation test).
To temporarily halt puberty until the child's normal time comes, GnRH analogs (monthly or 3-monthly injections) are used. Once the injections are stopped, the system begins functioning properly again, and the child enters normal puberty at the appropriate age.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
