Precocious puberty in girls

Puberty is the development of sexual maturity. The onset of puberty varies from child to child. It normally starts around age 11 in girls. Precocious puberty in girls is the premature onset of puberty, beginning before the age of 8 years. It is rare and affects only about 1 child in every 10,000 in the United States.

In girls, the developmental changes of normal puberty are:

• breasts develop
• pubic and underarm hair appear
• growth accelerates
• menstruation begins
• ovulation begins and
• pregnancy can occur

The same hormone changes that cause puberty also cause precocious puberty. Premature stimulation of the endocrine system releases hormones from the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. These hormones stimulate the ovaries to make sex hormones. The sex hormones, including estrogen, cause sexual maturation in girls.

Sex hormones accelerate growth and also control the skeletal process that ends growth. Girls who start puberty prematurely are tall for their age, but growth stops earlier for them. Their full height potential as adults is never achieved. They often grow no taller than 5 feet.

Behavioral changes during premature puberty include moodiness and irritability similar to that seen in teenage girls. They may become too self-conscious with their physical changes to undress in front of others, including parents. Girls often must deal with teasing from other children, especially about their breasts. They may feel more comfortable around older children, but are not mature enough emotionally to be accepted by them.

This condition requires medical treatment. Seek advice from your physician. Hormone therapy can stop premature puberty and even reverse it in some children. Parents can help their daughter deal with premature puberty by reassuring her. Keep treating her like the little girl that she is and advise her teachers to do the same. Guard her against sexual abuse and possible pregnancy. Help her deal with teasing. Help her talk through her frustrations and gain perspective about her condition. If you suspect this in your child, an evaluation by a physician must be done.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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