Precocious puberty occurs when secondary sexual characteristics appear before age 8 in girls and before age 9 in boys. These changes include the development of the breast bud, the growth of pubic and axillary hair, and increased testicular volume in boys. Although a specific cause is not always identified, some conditions, such as brain injuries, tumors or genetic syndromes, can trigger it. Dr. Denisse Colina, pediatric endocrinologist at our clinic, helps us understand this condition and its treatment.

What are the characteristics of children with precocious puberty?

• Children with precocious puberty tend to grow rapidly and have an advanced bone age compared to their chronological age, which makes them appear very tall for their age. However, they stop growing early, as their puberty ends earlier than usual. This can result in adults with short stature.
• Precocious puberty can affect social and emotional well-being because of the physical changes they experience, such as early menstruation in girls and the appearance of hair in boys. This can damage their self-esteem and increase the risk of anxiety or depression.

Why is early diagnosis important?

Diagnosing precocious puberty early is key to providing timely treatment. This condition can alter children’s programmed genetic height, leaving them shorter. It is also critical to minimize the associated social and emotional effects.

What types of precocious puberty are there and how are they treated?

• Central precocious puberty. It is the most common and is treated with drugs such as triptorelin, which suppress the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis.
• Peripheral precocious puberty. It may be due to tumor causes or to pathologies of other glands, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia or severe primary hypothyroidism. Treatment is directed at the underlying cause.

What are the risk factors?

Although it is not known with certainty what causes precocious puberty, some factors that may favor its development are: genes related to menarche (first menstruation), dark-skinned or Hispanic children, obesity, low birth weight, contact with pesticides or other substances that may have negative effects on the endocrine system.

Our specialist recommends:

• Consult a pediatric endocrinologist as soon as signs of accelerated maturation are noticed in children.
• Consider counseling to help children express their doubts and fears.

Dr. Denisse Colina
Pediatric endocrinologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma