Definition

Precocious puberty is the unusually early onset of puberty. Typically this is before:

    
  • Age 7-8 years in girls
  • Age 9 years in boys

    • If you think your child is beginning puberty too early, talk to the doctor.

    Causes

    Puberty is a complex process of brain, body, and hormonal development. If your child begins puberty at an early age, it may just be a variation in the range of what is considered "normal."

    In rare case, precocious puberty may be caused by conditions, such as:

        
  • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
  • McCune-Albright syndrome
  • Tumors or disorders of the testicles, ovaries, or adrenal gland
  • hCG-secreting tumors
  • Hypothalamic hamartoma (HH)—a rare benign brain tumor near the hypothalamus
  • Severe hypothyroidism

    • Abnormalities in Adrenal Glands or Hypothalamus May Lead to Precocious Puberty

    Kidney and adrenal

    Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

    Hypothalamus

    Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

    Risk Factors

    A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

    The following factors may increase your risk of a precocious puberty:

        
  • Gender: female
  • Ethnicity: Black, Hispanic
  • History of radiation therapy to the brain

    • Symptoms

    Symptoms of precocious puberty in girls may include:

        
  • Development of breasts, pubic hair, and underarm hair
  • Increased growth rate
  • Menstrual bleeding

    • Symptoms of precocious puberty in boys may include:

        
  • Growth of penis and testicles
  • Development of pubic and underarm hair
  • Muscle growth
  • Voice changes
  • Increased growth rate
  • Acne

    • Diagnosis

    Your doctor will ask about your child's symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Your child may be referred to an endocrinologist, which is a doctor who specializes in hormonal, glandular, and metabolic disorders. Other tests may include:

        
  • Tanner staging may be used to assess the degree of pubertal development
  • Blood tests (eg, hormone, insulin tests)
  • Brain imaging tests

    • Treatment

    Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include:

    Medications

    Different medications can be used to treat precocious puberty depending on the type. Treating precocious puberty can help children reach their full height potential and avoid the psychological reproductions of puberty-associated physical and hormonal stages occurring too early.

    Treatment of Underlying Conditions

    If an underlying condition is the cause of precocious puberty, treatment will revolve around treating the specific medical problem.

    Prevention

    There is no known way to prevent precocious puberty.