Bone age three years ahead in a tall 8-year-old girl?

[TheDandyQuail]

My daughter has just turned 8 and is being investigated for early puberty. She has had bone age scan and ultrasound. Doctor said he doesn’t think it’s puberty just thinks she has pubic hair and spots due to being tall. She’s 4ft8. Her bone age has come back as being 3 years ahead but the doctor is saying it’s probably because she’s tall. Is this right? Has anyone else been through this

You should ask for a referral to an endochronologist and get them to check for Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. It's relatively unknown but very much sounds like it with the symptoms you describe.

Don't be fobbed off - she may need help to make sure her bone age slows down and she is monitored closely for the next few years. This diagnosis has a wide range and spectrum but can be treated.

They’re not explaining it properly to you at all. Growth and bone maturity go hand in hand - taller kids have higher bone age even if they haven’t hit puberty. It also sounds like the GP thinks the spots and hair are due to hormonal changes linked to growth rather than full puberty. This is because there’s a difference between adrenarche and full puberty. So she’s at the beginning is what the GP is trying to say. Adrenarche at 7-8 is normal and even starting puberty at 8 is not considered early (medically) anymore.

Did she have any hormonal tests?

Mine is 5’5 at just 11. Periods at 10.5 after buds about 9.5yo.

Are your family tall? Because if not she may just be growing early. Our family have some 5’7 women so not hugely tall. Often though taller means heavier and so puberty. I think period will start over say 4’10+ as that can be adult height.

She had some blood tests last year. They was all normal. I should get the ultrasound results back soon just waiting for the doctor from endocrinology to send me the report. My daughter is tall and also classed as overweight most of the woman in my family are 5ft7. The endocrinologist said my daughters predicted adult height is 6ft.

Mine is just 8 and has similar hand growth. She has a puberty screen next month but has other signs of puberty in that her body shape is changing - not just breast buds, hairy, smelly, spotty all of which started at 7.5yo. Endocrinologist has been great so far - bloods only delayed because she needs additional support due to previous medical trauma.