Adolescence is the transition period from childhood to adulthood in which physical, sexual and spiritual development and maturation occur, and sexual maturation and reproductive ability are acquired. Under the influence of hormones secreted during this period, rapid height and weight gain, changes in body proportions and gender characteristics emerge. In addition to these findings, the child's final adult height is determined in adolescence. For all these reasons, it is very important to monitor the puberty period in children.
When Does Puberty Begin?
Puberty generally begins around the age of 9-10 in girls and around the age of 11-12 in boys. . It may start and progress differently in each child, depending on environmental, structural and hereditary factors.
What are the Signs of Puberty?
The first sign of puberty in girls is breast development and/or breast development. pubic hair growth; In boys, enlargement and/or hair growth in the testicles is the first sign of puberty.
When is Early Puberty?
The above-mentioned findings occur before the age of 8 in girls and before the age of 9 in boys. Its onset is considered as early puberty.
Can any puberty that begins after the age of 8 in girls and 9 in boys be considered normal?
Even if puberty does not start early, it can progress rapidly and If there is a risk of menstruation before the age of 10.5, especially in girls, we can talk about rapidly progressing puberty. In such a case, treatment may be on the agenda.
Why is Early Puberty Important?
Early puberty can cause psychosocial problems in children. In addition, early puberty causes short stature. Children who are larger than their peers during childhood face short stature as they stop growing early in adulthood.
Can Early Puberty Be Treated?
Precocious puberty can be treated. It is a disease. Treatment options vary depending on the underlying cause of early puberty. Especially in boys, when they experience early puberty, they are more likely to encounter serious underlying diseases. For this reason, families should be sensitive about this issue and pediatricians should be aware of puberty. They should not neglect the complete examination.
When Does Puberty End?
Once puberty begins, it should be completed within approximately 2-4 years. It is a dangerous situation that should be taken into consideration in adolescence that is as late as early adolescence or that is stalled and incomplete.
When is Delayed Puberty?
Puberty symptoms do not start until the age of 13 in girls and 14 in boys, and even though young girls have reached the age of 16. In case of absence of menstruation, delayed puberty is mentioned.
In case of both early puberty and delayed puberty, pediatric endocrine consultation should be done.
As a result; Adolescence has a different course for each child. For this reason, it is very important to monitor all children intermittently throughout adolescence, measure their height, weight and perform pubertal examinations to detect abnormal situations.
Human beings are in constant change throughout their lives. Adolescence is perhaps the most important phase of this development process. Adolescence, which is the transition from childhood to adulthood, includes the rapid development that can be observed in the individual.
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