Premature puberty in girls is the occurrence of symptoms of puberty before the age of 8. The first pubic hair, breast enlargement or faster pubertal growth is then observed. What are the causes of premature puberty and what to do if a girl matures prematurely?

Girls' premature pubertycan have various causes. Specialists distinguish two types of this disorder, the primary form and the form completely independent of gonadoliberin. This is an example of one of the neurohormones that stimulates the release of FSH and LH. The collected data suggest that early treatment can effectively inhibit premature puberty, and the further development of the child is completely normal.

Premature puberty: types

Premature puberty occurs as a primary disorder and one that does not depend on gonadoliberin concentration.

Primary sexual maturationis the manifestation of excessive and premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal pathway. The hypothalamus produces gonadoliberin, which in turn influences the secretion of the hormone FSH (follicle-oligophrenia) and LH (luteinizing). It manifests itself in the case of girls, e.g. breast enlargement and rapid pubertal growth. Apart from accelerated sexual maturation, no additional abnormalities are found. The cause is still unknown. It is much easier to determine the basis of the disorder in boys, in whom premature puberty is usually associated with CNS defects in the form of, for example, tumors or as a result of changes resulting from inflammation or injuries.

Alleged premature pubertysexual intercourse is a condition that does not depend on the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, so the concentration of gonadoliberin is irrelevant in this case. Unfortunately, in this case puberty does not always match the gender of the child. It happens that during this time, girls acquire masculine features, which has a colossal impact on the child's psyche. The problem is then very complex and also requires a psychologist's consultation. The male characteristics observed in patients suffering from alleged precocious puberty include:

  • clitoral enlargement
  • color decreasea voice that starts to look like a male
  • excessive body hair

The probable cause of this disorder are not only neoplastic changes, but also:

  • ovarian cysts, which are the result of excessive FSH production. The increased volume of the ovarian follicles is associated with a proportionally higher production of estradiol, which is responsible for the enlargement of the nipples or the growth of the endometrium
  • McCune-Albright syndrome (MCA), which can appear even in early childhood, is also characterized by cafe au lait skin discoloration. The clinical picture of the syndrome also includes hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism and adrenal hyperplasia.

Isolated precocious puberty- comes in several forms, incl. isolated enlargement of the mammary glands that occurs before 4 years of age and has a tendency to self-withdraw. It is subject to only and only reliable observation without treatment.

Diagnostics of premature puberty

Diagnosing premature puberty is difficult and requires a holistic approach to the patient. The first doctor parents should contact is the pediatrician. Interview with the child's parents is important, also in terms of the maturation process in nothing alone. Perhaps some features are the same and should not be alarming. The next step is detailed laboratory and imaging tests. You will need to assess your body's endocrine system. Imaging tests are helpful not only by ultrasound, but also by MRI and CT. You need to be aware of the seriousness of the problem, which may turn out to be large if the cancer etiology is confirmed.

Treatment of premature puberty

Treatment depends on the etiology of the disorder. Most of the reasons are not the basis for a very quick intervention. It is important not to overlook neoplastic growth which should be treated as soon as possible. Surgical intervention will probably be necessary to remove the pathological lesion. In the case of endocrine etiology, long-term pharmacotherapy in the form of supplementation of deficient hormones is necessary. Properly undertaken actions mean that further sexual maturation proceeds without problems, and the whole process usually spreads over a period of about 4 years.

Important

What problems do children suffering from precocious puberty face?

Adolescence is always a surprise element. Arriving prematurely may be associated withadditional problems, especially of a psychological nature. The body undergoes a series of transformations that can be difficult to accept. The peers' environment also plays a significant role. Girls can be the subject of ridicule and persecution. Unfortunately, in many cases, psychological therapy is necessary. On the other hand, there is the problem of growing too quickly. Even though the child is temporarily taller than his friends, it is a temporary situation and eventually such persons achieve shorter height. This is due to the rapid overgrowing of growth cartilages.

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