Precocious puberty Health Dictionary

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Precocious Puberty: From 2 Different Sources

The development of secondary sexual characteristics before age 8 in girls and 9 in boys. It is uncommon and may be caused by various disorders that can result in production of sex hormones at an abnormally early age. Possible underlying causes include a brain tumour or other brain abnormalities; abnormality of the adrenal glands (for example, congenital adrenal hyperplasia); ovarian cysts, and tumours, or a tumour in the testes. In some cases, no underlying cause can be identified.

The hormones may cause a premature growth spurt followed by early fusion of the bones. As a result, affected children may initially be tall but, if untreated, final height is often greatly reduced.

The child’s pattern of pubertal development is assessed by a doctor. Blood tests are performed to measure hormone levels. Ultrasound scanning of the ovaries and testes, and CT scanning of the adrenal glands or brain, may also be carried out, depending on the underlying cause suspected.

Treatment is of the underlying cause, and hormone drugs may be given to delay puberty and increase final height.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
the development at an early age of the physical and physiological changes associated with *puberty. In girls this is usually taken as development of breasts or pubic hair before the age of six or menstruation before the age of eight. In boys development of pubic hair or other adult sexual features below the age of nine is considered to be precocious. In girls 90% of cases have no underlying abnormalities, but in boys approximately half have a serious underlying cause, of which malignant testicular tumours and malignant adrenal tumours are the most common.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Puberty

The change that takes place when childhood passes into manhood or womanhood. This change is generally a very de?nite one, occurring at about the age of 14 years, although it is modi?ed by race, climate, and bodily health so that it may appear a year or two earlier or several years later. At this time, the sexual functions attain their full development; the contour of the body changes from a childish to a more rounded womanly, or sturdy manly, form; and great changes take place in the mode of thought and feeling.

In girls, puberty is marked by the onset of MENSTRUATION and development of the BREASTS. The latter is usually the ?rst sign of puberty to appear, and may occur from nine years onwards; most girls show signs of breast development by the age of 13. The time from the beginning of breast development to the onset of menstruation is usually around two years but may range from six months to ?ve years. The ?rst sign of puberty in boys is an increase in testicular and penile size (see TESTICLE; PENIS) between the age of ten and 14. The LARYNX enlarges in boys, so that the voice – after going through a period of ‘breaking’ – ?nally assumes the deep manly pitch. Hair appears on the pubis and later in the armpits in both boys and girls, whilst in the former it also begins to grow on the upper lip, and skin eruptions are not uncommon on the face (see ACNE).

The period is one of transition from a physical and mental point of view. Puberty is not to be regarded as a physiological ‘coming of age’, for full development is usually achieved in the early 20s.... puberty


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