Puberty at 8????

[Notfrickinpossible]

Please tell me it's not possible??? DD is 8.5yrs old and has Ataxic CP as a result of cerebellum & brainstem damage. She's a clever cookie but is happier playing with 4yr olds than her peer group, got more in common I guess. Very immature.

Anyway lately she's been a bit whiffy with a stale BO smell despite us washing her every day and night with daily showers & my deodorant. Today I noticed some fine long dark hairs in her armpits. Surely not, she's only little. No way can she (or DH & I) deal with this just now. Is this normal? Going to call peads on Monday but help...

How do I rid her of hair for swimming & gymnastics or do I not???

[itsnothingoriginal]

Strange coincidence - my DD is also 8 with ataxic CP and has also started having some BO. I asked at last paed appt and was told it wasn't abnormal. She hasn't got hairs though - I did check only today as I'm keeping an eye on it.

She's ways been quite 'forward' for her age which has been a slight worry to me. Never quite sure what other things might occur with her brain injury apart from the physical stuff.

Great that your dd doing swimming and gymnastics!

[Notfrickinpossible]

It's disability swimming & gymnastics but she can swim super fast and do better cartwheels than I ever could. DD is super confident but is emotionally very young. Can they not delay it till they are older?

Going to call peads office on Monday. I was late at about 16 so hoped DD would be as well

[itsnothingoriginal]

Yes they can delay the onset of puberty but usually only if it started before the age of 8 from what I understand. Hope you get useful advice from paed

[bitbap18]

I started at 7 and my ASD DD is now 7 and showing signs (pubic hair, getting a bit wiffy here and there, more emotional - didn't think that was possible!) I mentioned it to paed last week, and he is referring us to an endocrinologist for assessment. It's as much my history promting the referral as her symptoms.

So, sadly, it's by no means impossible :-(

[Pat1ence]

DD has central brain damage, severely disabled, is hypotonic, tube fed and only a little mobile. She started a few months ago at 7 first the BO, greasy hair, now hairs. I'm devastated if I'm honest. Her bowel has always been an issue, many surgeries, and her surgeon told me that when the hormones start, things will go wrong quickly. Despite this, pead this morning has said puberty is starting earlier and earlier these days. Earlier still in children with neurodevelpomental issues. We're being referred to a specialist puberty nurse to help us deal with the transition, mood swings etc. I am very sad, scared and wish they could stop it. She'll be a toddler in a young woman's body, I didn't expect it so soon.