Learn About Precocious Puberty

What is the definition of Precocious Puberty?

Puberty is the time when a person's sexual and physical characteristics mature. Precocious puberty is when these body changes happen earlier than normal.

What are the alternative names for Precocious Puberty?

Pubertas praecox

What are the causes of Precocious Puberty?

Puberty usually begins between ages 8 and 13 for girls and ages 9 and 14 for boys.

The exact age a child enters puberty depends on a number of factors, including family history, nutrition, and sex.

Most often there is no clear cause for precocious puberty. Some cases are due to changes in the brain, genetic problems or certain tumors that release hormones. These conditions include:

  • Disorders of the testicles, ovaries, or adrenal glands
  • Tumor of the hypothalamus (hypothalamic hamartoma)
  • Tumors that release a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
What are the symptoms of Precocious Puberty?

In girls, precocious puberty is when any of the following develop before age 8:

  • Armpit or pubic hair
  • Beginning to grow faster
  • Breasts
  • First period (menstruation)
  • Mature outer genitals

In boys, precocious puberty is when any of the following develop before age 9:

  • Armpit or pubic hair
  • Growth of the testes and penis
  • Facial hair, often first on the upper lip
  • Muscle growth
  • Voice change (deepening)
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What are the current treatments for Precocious Puberty?

Depending on the cause, treatment for precocious puberty may include:

  • Medicines to stop the release of sexual hormones, to help delay puberty. These medicines are given as a shot (injection). They will be given until the normal age of puberty.
  • Surgery to remove a tumor.

Children with early sexual development may have psychological and social problems. Children and adolescents want to be the same as their peers. Early sexual development can make them appear different. Parents can support their child by explaining the condition and how their provider plans to treat it. Talking to a mental health worker or counselor may also help.

Who are the top Precocious Puberty Local Doctors?
Pediatric Endocrinology | Pediatrics
Pediatric Endocrinology | Pediatrics
1101 26th St S, 
Great Falls, MT 
 176.4 mi

Marwan Bakhach is a Pediatric Endocrinologist and a Pediatrics provider in Great Falls, Montana. Dr. Bakhach and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Precocious Puberty. His top areas of expertise are Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), Precocious Puberty, and Type 1 Diabetes (T1D).

Family Medicine
Family Medicine

Missoula Family Medicine PLLC

2831 Fort Missoula Rd, Suite 302, 
Missoula, MT 
 274.6 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Thomas Frandsen is a Family Medicine provider in Missoula, Montana. Dr. Frandsen and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Precocious Puberty. His top areas of expertise are Lung Metastases, Ethmoiditis, Sinusitis, and Shingles. Dr. Frandsen is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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What are the possible complications of Precocious Puberty?

Children who go through puberty too early may not reach their full height because growth stops too early.

When should I contact a medical professional for Precocious Puberty?

See your child's provider if:

  • Your child shows signs of precocious puberty
  • Any child with early sexual development appears to be having problems in school or with peers
How do I prevent Precocious Puberty?

Adult prescription medicines and dietary supplements that contain hormones should not be consumed by children.

Your child should maintain a healthy weight.

What are the latest Precocious Puberty Clinical Trials?
OBServation of Environment and ReproductiVe Endocrine Effects Study (OBSERVE Study)

Background: Endocrine disorders occur when the glands that make hormones do not work properly. Hormones levels that are too high or too low can cause problems such as late or early puberty, irregular periods, and infertility. Environmental factors - including pollution; chemical exposure at home and work; foods; medicines; and sleep habits - may cause problems with the endocrine and reproductive systems.

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An Open-label, Single Arm, Multicenter, Phase III Study on the Efficacy, Safety, and Pharmacokinetics of FP-001 42 Mg Controlled Release in Patients with Central (Gonadotropin-Dependent) Precocious Puberty (Casppian Study)

Summary: The study will evaluate if Leuprolide Mesylate is safe and effective in the treatment of subjects with central (gonadotropin-dependent) precocious puberty, when administered as two injections six months apart.

What are the Latest Advances for Precocious Puberty?
Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: August 05, 2023
Published By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Cooke DW, DiVall SA, Radovick S. Normal and aberrant growth in children. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 25.

Garibaldi LR, Chemaitilly W. Disorders of pubertal development. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 578.