Content
Early puberty corresponds to the onset of sexual development before the age of 8 in the girl and before the age of 9 in the boy and its initial signs are the onset of menstruation in girls and an increase in testicles in boys, for example.
Precocious puberty can have different causes, being identified by the pediatrician through imaging and blood tests. Thus, according to the signs and symptoms presented by the child and the results of the exams, the doctor can indicate the beginning of specific treatment in order to avoid possible complications.
Signs and symptoms of early puberty
Puberty usually begins in girls between 8 and 13 years old and in boys between 9 and 14 years old. Thus, when the signs of puberty begin to appear before 8 in girls and before 9 in boys, it is considered to be precocious puberty. The following table shows the main signs that are indicative of precocious puberty:
Girls | Boys |
Pubic and axillary hair | Pubic and axillary hair |
Axillary odor (smell of sweat) | Axillary odor (smell of sweat) |
First menstruation | Increased oiliness on the skin, pimples and acne |
Breast growth | Increased testicles and penis, with erections and ejaculation |
Increased oiliness on the skin, pimples and acne | Lower voice and tendency to aggressiveness |
Possible causes
Early puberty can happen as a consequence of several situations, the main ones being:
- Alteration in the nervous system;
- Presence of a tumor in the ovaries, which leads to the early production of female hormones, favoring puberty;
- Hormonal changes due to head injuries;
- Presence of a tumor in the testicles.
The diagnosis of precocious puberty can be made by the pediatrician by observing these signs and symptoms, and it is not necessary to carry out tests to confirm.
How the diagnosis is made
Most cases of early puberty are diagnosed only by assessing the signs and symptoms presented by the child. However, in case of suspicion of severe alteration or syndrome, the doctor may recommend the performance of exams such as X-rays, ultrasound of the pelvis and adrenals, computed tomography or magnetic resonance, for example.
In addition, the dosage in the blood of some hormones such as LH, FSH, LH, FSH and GnRH, estradiol for girls, and testosterone for boys may be indicated. The pediatrician can also request other tests that he deems necessary to identify the cause of early puberty and decide whether treatment is necessary.
How and when to treat
It is not always necessary to slow down the child's growth rate, stopping puberty ahead of time. When the child is over 8 years old, the doctor may conclude that it is a less severe precocious puberty, because it is probably not caused by a tumor.
When it starts before the age of 8, especially in the baby, it can be caused by a tumor. Treatment can be done with hormonal blocking medications, and it may be necessary to undergo radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery, as it is possible to prevent some complications such as psychological disorders, low height in adulthood and early pregnancy, for example.
The child who presents with precocious puberty must be accompanied by a psychologist as society may demand more mature behavior from him when he is still a child, which can be confusing.
It is also important that the child knows that he must behave appropriately for his age so that he has a good general development and if he still has childish desires such as playing with friends, for example, this desire must be respected and even encouraged. .
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team