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Children's health

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Original poster

Precocious puberty

49 replies

MaryPoppinsDick · 09/12/2018 19:09

I’ve name changed for this to avoid outing but I’ve been around for a good while.

My DD is 7 and drying her after her bath I noticed she has pubic hair growing - not lots but definitely noticeable. I’ll arrange for her to see the GP tomorrow but wonder if anyone has experience of very early puberty - for veruous good reasons she has struggled with toiletting, I don’t want her having to deal with periods so early on. I’m also worried about what it might mean developmentally for her.

Basically, I’m looking for a bit of a hand hold and reassurance.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Polly99 · 09/12/2018 19:18

I’ve been in this situation with one of my kids, although she was younger than 7.
We saw a paediatric endocrinologist who did a load of blood tests which confirmed her hormone levels were perfectly normal and this was nothing to worry about.
They said breast buds mark the start of puberty, and early pubic hair is often just one of those things. They also said that if puberty starts anytime from age 8 that would be considered within normal range - although I would have been pretty upset if that had happened to my skinny, small daughter. In the end puberty started on a normal time scale so it really was nothing to worry about.
I hope it is as straightforward for your daughter.

HMBB · 09/12/2018 19:56

Today I also noticed my almost 7 year old daughter has a couple of short public hairs and am now worried about this too.

I shall speak to GP and see what they say.

I hope all is well with your daughter.

Original poster

MaryPoppinsDick · 09/12/2018 20:06

Thanks, she’s very small for her age and has emotional and social developmental delays so early puberty is something she certainly isn’t mature enough to cope with quite yet.

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 09/12/2018 20:08

In the absence of breast buds it may not be puberty properly starting

Slipperboots · 09/12/2018 20:12

DD aged nearly 10 has been getting public hairs for a year, just the odd one.
Only very recently she has she started getting breast buds though.

nocoolnamesleft · 09/12/2018 20:29

patient.info/health/adrenarche

HMBB · 09/12/2018 20:35

Nocoolnames that is a really interesting link thank you for posting it.

Original poster

MaryPoppinsDick · 09/12/2018 20:49

Thanks for the link, its really helpful.

OP posts:

SnuggyBuggy · 09/12/2018 20:52

As people have said the first thing an endocrinologist will do is determine if is premature adrenarche or true central precocious puberty. If the latter there is treatment available.

Betsy86 · 09/12/2018 20:56

Im having the same issues as you op but my dds a year older.
Shes got breast buds now to im so worried about it shes so delayed in all aspects theres now way she will cope at the moment only recently got her confident enough on the toilet. X

elfycat · 09/12/2018 20:58

DD1 (now 9.5) was growing pubic hair at 5, also BO. I took her to a GP and we were referred to an endocrinologist. She had premature adrenarche; adrenal glands doing puberty but not the pituitary and all the rest.

Blood tests high for one, but not all hormones, and her bone growth (hand Xray) was ahead of real age. She's one of the tallest in her year, but was always going to be tall DH 6ft 4

Now she has fairly furry armpits, more pubic hair, teenager BO, proper teenager spots. But no breast buds. If things happen now they'll be 'normal' so we've been discharged unless there's other issues. She's aware but not worried and will be telling her peers that someone had to go first, and it'll happen to them all.

Going to the GP would be the best thing, but don't panic - there's lots of individuality in when these things happen and practically no 'normal' to be had.

avoschmado · 10/12/2018 19:49

Dd1 is 8.5 and has proper breast buds. GP says it's normal though she's soo skinny (9th centile) it's very noticeable.

Theworldisfullofgs · 10/12/2018 19:52

My daughter had this at about age 7. We were referred to see a paediatricians to review bone growth (X ray of hand) and a general review. Tgere was no concerns and then nothing else happened. We were advised to keep an eye on her weight. No other signs of puberty until she was about 12/13.

GoodHeavensNoImAChicken · 11/12/2018 16:38

How did you get on OP?

Original poster

MaryPoppinsDick · 17/12/2018 19:06

The GP examined her and agrees she has physical signs of precocious puberty. He’s referring her to paediatrics for tests etc and will then look at treatment options. Meanwhile, her emotions are all over the place and she’s really struggling to cope with school. I’m glad we’ll get a break over Christmas.

OP posts:

SnuggyBuggy · 17/12/2018 19:10

Good luck. My other bit of advice is while there is a lot of controversy over puberty blockers for gender dysphoria this is a treatment that can be used appropriately to manage precocious puberty.

avoschmado · 18/12/2018 07:17

My dd is 8y7m and she's in crop tops now. I'm concerned that her nipples are inverted. Mine were too and I had surgery at 19 but wonder if it's better treating them earlier??

Original poster

MaryPoppinsDick · 18/12/2018 23:48

Thanks @snuggybuggy, my preference would be that they do block or reverse puberty at this stage. At 7 she falls under the criteria for precocious puberty and really she’s not emotionally and psychologically mature enough at the moment. I’d rather delay for a couple of years until she’s in a more typical age range.

OP posts:

avoschmado · 19/12/2018 08:44

Op what physical signs is she showing? Only public hair?

Original poster

MaryPoppinsDick · 19/12/2018 22:42

No, pubic hair, breast buds and her shape is very definitely changing in terms of her waist and hips. She’s also had a growth spurt (which only brings her to 15th centile/she’s only 7th centile for weight) so it’s not like she’s tall or big for her age which can sometimes hasten puberty.

OP posts:

avoschmado · 20/12/2018 07:12

Op my daughter is 9th centile but still been told she's in the realms of normal - breast buds requiring crop tops.

Original poster

MaryPoppinsDick · 20/12/2018 07:21

As far as I can tell, 8 seems to be the cut off point for girls in terms of precocious puberty. I think it’s ridiculously early tbh but I guess they need to have a cut off point.

OP posts:

SnuggyBuggy · 20/12/2018 07:22

Where I worked there were girls older than 8 on blockers. They all stopped by the end of year 6 though.

squaremosaic · 20/12/2018 07:36

Been through this with my daughter. She had just turned 7 when I noticed she had pubic hair growing. GP referred us to paediatrician and they diagnosed premature adrenarche. My daughter has taken it all really well, although she is incredibly moody which I'm putting down to these changes. I don't have any advice other than being here to chat as another mother that has been through it recently. PM if you prefer.

MrsArchchancellorRidcully · 20/12/2018 08:12

I wouldn't say that's precocious puberty. Your DD is just early.

I was and so is DD. Pubic hairs and bo from 7. Breast buds at 8 and I expected periods at 9 ( they say 12 m from breast buds). That would mirror my experience as a child. However she was 10 in sept and still no periods. So we're all very pleased. She has plenty of clear discharge but I'm just delighted she's made it to double figures.

Plenty of talking and explaining and plenty of tlc plus practicalities like deodorant etc. And bras. Primark do great ones for small girls.

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