Early Puberty

The onset of puberty before the age of 8 in girls and before the age of 9 in boys is called early puberty.

What are the Symptoms of Early Puberty?

• Breast development and/or axillary/genital hair growth in girls before the age of 8, menstruation before the age of 10

• In men, before the age of 9, testicles and penis enlargement, axillary/genital hair, beard and moustache, deepening of the voice

In both genders;

• Rapid Growth

• Acne

• Adult-like sweat odor

• Acne

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Children showing these symptoms must be evaluated by a doctor. In addition to these symptoms, behavioral changes (more impulsive, emotional) and increased appetite may also be observed. However, generally, changes in behavior without the physical symptoms listed above are not alone an indicator of early puberty.

 

What is the cause of Early Puberty? What do Central Adolescence and Peripheral Adolescence mean?

 

The cause of early puberty varies depending on whether it is central early puberty or peripheral early puberty.

In normal adolescence, the initiating signal starts from the brain. When the pathway that initiates early puberty is a shift of the mechanism in normal puberty development to an earlier time, it is classified as central early puberty, and when it starts for a reason other than the mechanism in normal puberty, it is classified as peripheral early puberty.

What is the cause of Central Early Puberty?

The cause of this type of early puberty is often not found and is called idiopathic. In this type, changes in the body have the same characteristics, shapes and sequences as in normal early puberty. In the majority of children with central puberty, there is no underlying medical problem and no definitive cause that can be determined. However, in some cases, there may be a significant underlying disease.

• Tumors originating from the brain or spinal cord (central nervous system)

• Anomalies present in the brain since birth -Hydrocephalus (excess fluid), Hemartoma (a non-cancerous tumor) 

• Brain or spinal cord injuries

• McCune Albright Syndrome - A rare genetic disease that causes hormonal disorders affecting the skin and bone)

• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia - Genetic disorder characterized by abnormal hormone production in the adrenal glands

• Hypothyroidism - It is the condition in which the thyroid gland cannot produce sufficient thyroid hormone

What is the cause of peripheral early puberty?

In peripheral early puberty, there is either external exposure to hormone-containing drugs or almost always an underlying disease.

Causes of peripheral early puberty in both girls and boys     

• Kidney A tumor in the aphrodisiac gland or pituitary gland that secretes estrogen or testosterone

• McCune-Albright Syndrome- A rare genetic disease that causes hormonal disorders affecting the skin and bone 

• Use of creams or oils or medications containing estrogen or testosterone

           Girls prephericcauses of early puberty

• Ovarian cysts

• Ovarian tumors

           Preferential causes of early puberty in men

• Tumors arising from germ cells (cells responsible for sperm production) or Leydig cells (cells responsible for testosterone production)

• Gonadotropin-independent familial early puberty - from gene defect It is characterized by the early onset of testosterone production, usually between the ages of 1-4.

Are there any conditions that increase the risk of early puberty?

 

Female gender: While early puberty is more common in girls, delayed puberty is more common in boys.

Those who are overweight: Overweight children die early have a high risk of developing puberty.

Those exposed to substances containing sex hormones: Use of cream/oil containing estrogen or testosterone or oral consumption of drugs or foods containing these hormones

Those with other health problems: McCune-Albright Syndrome, Congenital adrenal Hyperplasia, rarely hypothyroidism.

Those who receive radiation therapy: Tumor, leukemia Those who have received radiotherapy to the central nervous system in the treatment of diseases such as

 

What are the undesirable consequences of Early Puberty?

• Short Stature

In early puberty, children first grow faster and are taller than their peers. It is visible, but because the bones mature faster than normal, growth stops earlier than their peers, causing shortness in final height. Recognizing early puberty and starting early treatment allows the child to grow normally.

• Social and Emotional Problems

In children who develop signs of puberty much earlier than their peers, changes in the body can affect the child's self-confidence, depression and substance abuse problems. may increase the risk of addiction.

 

Can early puberty be prevented?

Although some risk factors (gender, race, congenital diseases) cannot be prevented, there are some things that can be done to reduce the risk of early puberty in children.

• Protecting children from exposure to estrogen and testosterone – Avoiding the use of medications containing these ingredients and avoiding the use of food supplements of uncertain safety, as some food supplements may contain these substances

• Protecting children from overweight - promoting healthy nutrition and exercise 

 

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