Precocious puberty: Difference between revisions

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In [[medicine]], '''precocious puberty''' is [[puberty]] occurring at an unusually early age. In most of these children, the process is normal in every respect except the unusually early age, and simply represents a [[human variability|variation]] of [[Human development (biology)|normal development]]. In a minority of children, the early development is triggered by a disease such as a [[tumor]] or [[brain injury|injury]] of the [[Human brain|brain]].


[[File:Full-jns 1948 5 6 0541.fig001.jpg|Precocious puberty|300px|right]]
{{Infobox medical condition
=== Normal Puberty ===
| name = Precocious puberty
The time in one's life when sexual maturity takes place is known as puberty. The physical changes that mark puberty typically begin in girls between ages 8 and 13 and in boys between ages 9 and 14.
| image = <!-- Image removed -->
| caption = <!-- Caption removed -->
| field = [[Endocrinology]]
| synonyms = Early puberty
| symptoms = Early development of [[secondary sexual characteristics]]
| complications = Short stature, [[psychosocial issues]]
| onset = Before age 8 in girls, before age 9 in boys
| duration = Variable
| causes = [[Central precocious puberty]], [[peripheral precocious puberty]]
| risks = [[Genetic factors]], [[obesity]], [[exposure to sex hormones]]
| diagnosis = [[Physical examination]], [[hormone tests]], [[imaging studies]]
| treatment = [[GnRH analogs]], [[surgery]], [[medication]]
| frequency = 1 in 5,000 to 10,000 children
}}


= Precocious Puberty =
'''Precocious puberty''' is a medical condition characterized by the early onset of [[puberty]], typically before age 8 in girls and before age 9 in boys. This condition leads to the early development of [[secondary sexual characteristics]], such as breast development in girls and testicular enlargement in boys.
Precocious puberty is puberty that begins abnormally early, and delayed puberty is puberty that begins abnormally late.  


Children affected by precocious puberty may experience problems such as:
== Causes ==
Precocious puberty can be classified into two main types: [[central precocious puberty]] and [[peripheral precocious puberty]].


* Failure to reach their full height because their growth halts too soon
* '''Central precocious puberty''' is caused by the early activation of the [[hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis]]. This type is often idiopathic but can also be due to [[central nervous system]] abnormalities such as [[tumors]], [[trauma]], or [[infections]].
* Psychological and social problems, such as anxiety over being "different" from their peers. However, many children do not experience major psychological or social problems, particularly when the onset of puberty is only slightly early.


=== Delayed Puberty ===
* '''Peripheral precocious puberty''' results from the production of sex hormones independent of the [[hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis]]. Causes include [[ovarian cysts]], [[testicular tumors]], [[adrenal disorders]], and [[exogenous hormone exposure]].
Delayed puberty is the term for a condition in which the body's timing for sexual maturity is later than the normal range of ages.


Many children with delayed puberty will eventually go through an otherwise normal puberty, just at a late age. Other children have a long-lasting condition known as hypogonadism (pronounced ''HI-poe-GO-nad-iz-uhm'') in which the sex glands (the testes in men and the ovaries in women) produce few or no hormones. For example, hypogonadism can occur in girls with Turner syndrome or in individuals with hypogonadotropic (pronounced ''HI-po-GO-nah-doe-TROH-pik'') hypogonadism, which occurs when the hypothalamus (pronounced ''HI-po-THAL-uh-muss'') produces little to no gonadotropin-releasing hormone (pronounced ''goh-nad-uh-TROH-pin'') (GnRH).
== Diagnosis ==
The diagnosis of precocious puberty involves a combination of [[physical examination]], [[hormone tests]], and [[imaging studies]].


== Common Names ==
* A [[physical examination]] is conducted to assess the development of secondary sexual characteristics.
* [[Hormone tests]] measure levels of [[luteinizing hormone]] (LH), [[follicle-stimulating hormone]] (FSH), and [[sex steroids]] such as [[estradiol]] and [[testosterone]].
* [[Imaging studies]], such as [[MRI]] or [[ultrasound]], may be used to identify any underlying [[pathology]] in the [[brain]] or [[gonads]].


* Puberty
== Treatment ==
* Precocious puberty or early puberty
Treatment for precocious puberty depends on the underlying cause and may include:
* Delayed puberty


== Medical or Scientific Names ==
* [[GnRH analogs]] to delay further development in cases of central precocious puberty.
* [[Surgery]] or [[medication]] to address specific causes such as [[tumors]] or [[hormone-secreting cysts]].


* Puberty
== Complications ==
* Precocious puberty
Children with precocious puberty may experience [[psychosocial issues]] due to their early physical development. Additionally, they may have a shorter [[adult height]] due to early closure of the [[growth plates]].
* Delayed puberty
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Precocious Puberty}}
== Epidemiology ==
[[Category:Precocious puberty and pregnancy| ]]
Precocious puberty affects approximately 1 in 5,000 to 10,000 children. It is more common in girls than in boys.
[[Category:Developmental biology]]
 
{{stub}}
== See also ==
{{pediatrics}}
* [[Puberty]]
{{Gonadal disorder}}
* [[Endocrinology]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Precocious Puberty}}
* [[Growth disorders]]
[[Category:Precocious puberty and pregnancy| ]]
 
[[Category:Vertebrate developmental biology]]
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
 
== External links ==
* [https://www.endocrine.org/ Endocrine Society]
* [https://www.hormone.org/ Hormone Health Network]
 
[[Category:Endocrine diseases]]
[[Category:Pediatrics]]
[[Category:Pediatrics]]
[[Category:Sexual health]]
[[Category:Puberty]]
[[Category:Sexuality and age]]
[[Category:Endocrine gonad disorders]]
[[Category:Gonadotropin-releasing hormone and gonadotropins]]
[[Category:Human female endocrine system]]
[[Category:Intersex variations]]

Latest revision as of 16:49, 29 December 2024


Precocious puberty
Synonyms Early puberty
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Early development of secondary sexual characteristics
Complications Short stature, psychosocial issues
Onset Before age 8 in girls, before age 9 in boys
Duration Variable
Types N/A
Causes Central precocious puberty, peripheral precocious puberty
Risks Genetic factors, obesity, exposure to sex hormones
Diagnosis Physical examination, hormone tests, imaging studies
Differential diagnosis N/A
Prevention N/A
Treatment GnRH analogs, surgery, medication
Medication N/A
Prognosis N/A
Frequency 1 in 5,000 to 10,000 children
Deaths N/A


Precocious puberty is a medical condition characterized by the early onset of puberty, typically before age 8 in girls and before age 9 in boys. This condition leads to the early development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development in girls and testicular enlargement in boys.

Causes[edit]

Precocious puberty can be classified into two main types: central precocious puberty and peripheral precocious puberty.

Diagnosis[edit]

The diagnosis of precocious puberty involves a combination of physical examination, hormone tests, and imaging studies.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment for precocious puberty depends on the underlying cause and may include:

Complications[edit]

Children with precocious puberty may experience psychosocial issues due to their early physical development. Additionally, they may have a shorter adult height due to early closure of the growth plates.

Epidemiology[edit]

Precocious puberty affects approximately 1 in 5,000 to 10,000 children. It is more common in girls than in boys.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

<references group="" responsive="1"></references>


External links[edit]

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