Early Puberty

[PK1975]

Hi

Our 7 yr old DD is showing signs of puberty (small breasts, BO and fine pubic hair). The GP has referred her to the hospital and we're waiting for an appointment.

What are your experiences please?

Thank you

hi,

I'm in the same situation. currently awaiting app at the pediatric endocrinologist. can you let me know the outcome of your situation?
i'm slightly freaking out that this is happening so early!
thanks

My daughter started seeing an endo at 8. She had an ultrasound, bone age xray and blood tests. All very standard first investigations. Nothing else required apart from 6monthly height and weight checks and annual ultrasounds. She's 11 next month and all fine.

My DD had similar symptoms at 7 but not the small breasts. She turned out not to have early puberty in the end but early adrenarche (just the adrenal hormones kicking off which accounts for the BO and hair). The breast development might mean that your DD is in true puberty but all the tests will tell you for sure. If she is, there is an easy treatment that can be used that can hold her off for a few years, or she might end up developing really slowly anyway. I know it's a worry but it's easy to treat if it does turn out to be early puberty.

Puberty blockers were offered but there is no way I'd give them to my daughter. She's 11 in a couple of weeks and totally within "normal" now. Puberty blockers can affect fertility and all sorts.

My daughter had public hair at 6 and was very tall. We eventually had referral to paediatrician and she had bone growth X-ray and blood tests done. Bone growth showed her bones were aged 9 years old, but the blood tests showed it wasn't precocious puberty but premature adrenarche (as pp has stated above).

She is now 9, still 98th percentile for height, she now has spots and BO but only one tiny breast bud so she has been signed off.

I will continue to monitor her growth but they are happy that she will now not start her periods for another 2 years at least. I will also speak to her when she is older about awareness of pcos and obesity as these are more common with this condition.

Premature adrenarche is more common j believe than precocious puberty and no treatment is required. I hope you get some answers.