What should I do if I find out my child is maturing early?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 26, 2024
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Interventional treatment for precocious puberty varies according to different causes. In principle, once diagnosed with central precocious puberty, aggressive pharmacological treatment is recommended, using inhibitory hormones to suppress development to pre-pubertal levels and inhibit further development of the ovaries and uterus. For peripheral precocious puberty or pseudoprecocious puberty, the cause must be removed. Clinically, if a child accidentally ingests their mother's contraceptive pills causing transient vaginal bleeding, it is essential to carefully inquire about the medical history, thoroughly understand the cause, and determine the treatment method. Also, ask if there has been any special dietary intake recently, including foods or drinks high in estrogen, and if so, remove the cause for treatment.

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
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How can precocious children reduce estrogen levels?

Once children are diagnosed with precocious puberty, which usually refers to girls developing breasts before the age of 8 and boys showing signs of secondary sexual characteristics such as increased testicular volume and penile thickening before the age of 9, the method to reduce estrogen depends on the severity of the precocious puberty. This includes whether it affects the child's height and the maturity level of the sexual organs, as well as taking into account the estrogen levels at the time of examination for treatment. Mild cases usually do not require medication and can be addressed through dietary and exercise interventions. For moderate cases where hormone levels in the blood have not reached a severe state and there is some loss of height but not to the extent that requires treatment through injections, oral Chinese medicine can be used to reduce estrogen levels. In severe cases, where there is significant change in height, sexual organs, and high hormone levels in the blood, medication such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs can be used to control the child’s sexual development.

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
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Where is precocious puberty manifested?

Precocious puberty is primarily characterized by the development of breasts in girls before the age of 8, which leads to a diagnosis of precocious puberty. In boys, an increase in testicular volume and thickening of the penis before the age of 9 or 9.5 years also constitutes a diagnosis of precocious puberty. Once children show signs of precocious puberty, it is crucial to promptly take them to a hospital for the following relevant examinations to determine whether the condition is affecting the child's physical and psychological health. 1. An examination of bone age to determine if it impacts the child's height; 2. An ultrasound of the gonads to verify the severity of sexual development; 3. Under the detailed examination of a doctor, observe whether it affects the child's psychology, thereby providing further reasonable treatment based on the actual manifestations of the child.

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Written by Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
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What are the symptoms of precocious puberty in children?

Precocious puberty generally occurs when secondary sexual characteristics appear relatively early. For example, girls may experience breast development, pubic hair, and underarm hair growth. Boys may experience enlargement of the testicles, growth of pubic hair, underarm hair, facial hair, deepening of the voice, and nocturnal emissions. If a child exhibits signs of precocious puberty, it can impact their growth and it’s important to promptly visit a hospital to check their sex hormones and bone age through X-rays. Treatment with medication can be initiated based on the specific circumstances of the child. If the child's bone age is normal, it is possible to suppress the secretion of the child's hormones.

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Written by Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
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What are the adverse consequences of precocious puberty?

The adverse consequences of precocious puberty are numerous. The most significant impact is on the child's growth, including their psychological health. Precocious puberty particularly affects the height of both boys and girls. For example, girls may experience earlier menstruation and breast development, while boys may experience early voice changes or premature enlargement of the testicles. In such cases, it is crucial first to check the child's bone age to see if it is advanced. If there is advancement, it is essential to medicate the child promptly.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
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What should I do if precocious puberty is not treated in time?

Precocious puberty is defined as the abnormal condition where secondary sexual characteristics develop before the age of eight in girls and nine in boys. The harm of this disease includes shorter adult height, earlier sexual behavior, and suppressed personality, among other effects. The principle of treatment primarily focuses on improving the child's adult height, with treatments mainly including medication and etiological treatment. If diagnosed and treated early, the prognosis is generally good, and the final adult height can be significantly improved. If treatment is not administered in a timely manner, and the epiphyses of the bones have closed, it may not be possible to alter the final height.