Watching children grow up quickly brings joy to many parents. However, children growing too quickly, or developing secondary sexual characteristics too early, are signs that merit parental attention. Paediatric specialist Dr. Tsui Tsz-kwan shares the symptoms of children entering puberty too early and how to address them, enabling parents to take care of the needs of precocious children both physically and mentally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Xu points out that the secondary sexual characteristic for boys is the development of their testicles. If a boy's testicles start to enlarge before the age of 9, it is highly likely that precocious puberty has begun. For girls, secondary sexual characteristics are usually monitored. If breast development is observed to begin before the age of 7-8, or if menstruation occurs before the age of 10, it can be considered precocious development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Children entering puberty early will be taller than their peers initially, but often end up shorter when they reach adulthood. Dr. Xu explains that accelerating growth during puberty is usually due to hormones causing the growth plates at the ends of bones to grow rapidly. However, if a child experiences precocious puberty, these growth plates will also close prematurely. Once the growth plates close, they will not grow any taller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Besides height, precocious puberty can also affect children's mental health. They may notice their bodies are different from other children's, which can lead to anxiety and unease, impacting their schooling and social interactions. Girls who experience precocious puberty may have their first menstruation too early. Dr. Xu Ziyun gives an example: \"If a girl has her first period before the age of 10, she may be too young to know how to deal with or adapt to menstruation. Boys, on the other hand, may not know how to handle erections.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Precocious puberty can be divided into central precocious puberty and peripheral precocious puberty. Paediatricians will carry out appropriate physical examinations based on the child's condition, including blood tests and imaging scans, before deciding on a treatment plan. Dr Xu further pointed out that not every child with precocious puberty requires treatment. For example, if a child starts to develop early but the development progresses slowly, and after a doctor's assessment, it is considered that the impact on the child's future height is not significant, then treatment may not be necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regarding central precocious puberty, Dr. Xu states that medication is generally considered, such as GnRH agonists, which have been used since 1980 and are considered the gold standard treatment for central precocious puberty in children. By using GnRH agonists, the aim is to slow down puberty, delay the closure of growth plates, and thereby alleviate the psychological and physiological impacts of precocious puberty on children and their families. However, GnRH agonists are an injectable medication, requiring an injection approximately every four to 12 weeks. Children need regular follow-up appointments during treatment to assess their condition and the effectiveness of the treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If children in the family show signs of precocious puberty, where should parents start? Dr. Xu offers parents a few suggestions: besides taking their child to see a doctor, they should also provide sufficient support in terms of lifestyle and sex education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Parents who notice their children developing secondary sexual characteristics too early, or a sudden acceleration in height growth in children under 10 years old, must consult a paediatrician for a detailed examination as soon as possible. Secondary sexual characteristics refer to the development of breasts in girls at or before the age of seven or eight, or the enlargement of the testicles in boys before the age of nine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Secondly, parents should pay attention to their children's eating habits, reduce the intake of high-fat, high-sugar snacks, and avoid foods containing hormonal ingredients and supplements with unknown effects. In daily life, reduce exposure to environmental hormones, such as phthalates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. For children with precocious puberty, provide timely sex education that begins early and is tailored to their level of understanding. In particular, girls should be taught about menstruation and menstrual hygiene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Four. If a child has already developed precocious puberty, parents must put aside their concerns and explain patiently to the child, so as not to let the child bear a mental and psychological burden. At the same time, actively cooperate with the doctor's examination and treatment, and work together to restore the physical and mental health of children with precocious puberty to normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Xu stressed that precocious puberty is a problem that cannot be ignored. Although most cases of precocious puberty are related to genetics, diet, and environmental factors, a small number are caused by pathological reasons such as endocrine diseases, brain diseases, and tumours. If parents notice their children developing secondary sexual characteristics too early, they must bring their children to a paediatrician for a detailed examination as soon as possible.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: Yahoo! 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