Precocious Puberty – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Precocious puberty happens when children develop adult body features earlier than normal. For most children, puberty starts after age 8 for girls and after age 9 for boys.
However, Black, Hispanic, and Native American children might naturally begin puberty at younger ages.
During puberty, several physical changes occur:
- Rapid bone and muscle growth
- Body shape changes
- Development of reproductive capability
Most cases of precocious puberty have no identifiable cause. In rare situations, certain factors may trigger early puberty:
| Possible Triggers | Examples |
|---|---|
| Infections | Various types |
| Hormonal problems | Imbalances in growth hormones |
| Tumors | In hormone-producing glands |
| Brain abnormalities | Structural issues |
| Injuries | Trauma to the brain |
Medical treatment typically involves medications that safely delay puberty until a more appropriate age for the child.
Signs of Early Puberty
Early puberty shows different signs in boys and girls. These changes happen sooner than normal puberty would start.
Common signs include:
- In girls: Breast development and first menstrual period
- In boys: Growth of testicles and penis, facial hair, and voice deepening
- In both: Pubic or underarm hair
- Fast height increases
- Skin breakouts (acne)
- Strong body odor like adults have
When to Contact a Doctor
If you notice any of these changes in your child earlier than expected, schedule an appointment with your child’s healthcare provider. Early evaluation helps determine if these changes need medical attention or treatment.
Causes
The start of puberty involves the brain releasing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). This hormone triggers the pituitary gland to produce hormones that lead to estrogen in girls and testosterone in boys.
These sex hormones create the physical changes we see during puberty. When this process happens too early, it’s called precocious puberty.
Early Central Development
In early central development, the brain starts the normal puberty process but at a younger age than expected. The exact reason is often unknown in most children.
Some possible causes include:
- Brain or spinal cord tumors
- Brain abnormalities present at birth (such as fluid buildup or noncancerous tumors)
- Brain or spinal cord injuries
- Radiation treatment to the head or spine
- Genetic conditions affecting bones, skin color, and hormones
- Adrenal gland disorders that create unusual hormone patterns
- Thyroid hormone deficiency
Most children with this type don’t have any serious medical conditions causing the early development. Doctors often don’t find a specific reason for the early start of puberty.
Early Peripheral Development
This type happens when sex hormones (estrogen or testosterone) appear in the body too soon, but not because of the brain’s normal puberty signal. Instead, something causes the sex hormones to be released directly into the bloodstream.
Common causes include:
| Causes | Description |
|---|---|
| Gland tumors | Growths in the adrenal or pituitary glands that release hormones |
| Genetic conditions | Disorders affecting multiple body systems, including hormone production |
| Topical exposure | Contact with creams or ointments containing sex hormones |
For girls specifically:
- Ovarian cysts
- Ovarian tumors
For boys specifically:
- Tumors in sperm-producing or testosterone-producing cells
- Rare genetic conditions that cause testosterone production between ages 1-4
With this type, the problem starts in the glands that make sex hormones rather than in the brain’s signaling system. The body develops sexual characteristics because these hormones are present, even though the brain hasn’t started the normal puberty process.
Risk Factors
Several factors may increase a child’s chance of developing early puberty:
- Gender: Girls face a higher risk than boys.
- Weight: Children with obesity have an increased risk of experiencing puberty earlier than their peers.
Complications
Children with early puberty may face several challenges. These include:
- Height issues: While these children might initially grow faster than their peers, their bones also mature quicker. This often leads to earlier growth stoppage, resulting in below-average adult height.
-
Emotional challenges: Children experiencing puberty much earlier than their friends might feel:
- Embarrassment about body changes
- Discomfort with early menstruation
- Lower self-esteem
- Higher risk for depression
-
Behavioral risks: Some children coping with early puberty may have an increased chance of turning to:
- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Other risky behaviors
Prevention
Some risk factors for precocious puberty, like sex and race, cannot be avoided. However, certain steps can reduce the chances of early puberty in children.
Keep hormone-containing products away from children. This includes adult prescription medications or dietary supplements that contain estrogen or testosterone.
Maintaining a healthy weight is important for children. Help them eat balanced meals and stay physically active to maintain an appropriate weight for their age and height.
