Quadrant+3

=**Precocious Puberty in Modern Times**= toc

This unusual phenomenon is becoming more and more common in many countries. For the most part, an average healthy person will undergo physical changes, due to puberty from ages 10-13. This may include premature body growth, hormone changes, and development of the human reproductive system. Precocious Puberty has been seen in children as young as 7 years of age.

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= = =Symptoms=

In girls, precocious puberty is when any of the following develop before age 8: Some evidence suggests that it may be normal for these changes to occur as early as age 7 in Caucasian girls and age 6 in African-American girls. In boys, precocious puberty is when any of the following develop before age 9:
 * Armpit or pubic hair
 * Beginning to grow faster
 * Breasts
 * First period (menstruation)
 * Mature outer genitals
 * Armpit or pubic hair
 * Growth of the testes and penis
 * Facial hair, often first on the upper lip
 * Muscle growth
 * Voice change (deepening)

= Diagnosis =


 * X-ray - test which uses a machine to take a special picture of tissues, bones and organs. A bone X-ray may be performed to determine bone age.
 * Bood test – measures the puberty hormones (LH, FSH, estradiol, testosterone) and / or thyroid hormones
 * Ultrasound of the ovaries and testicles -- a test which uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues and organs.
 * Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test – a special blood draw that looks at the puberty hormone to determine the form of precocious puberty (gonadotropin-dependent or gonadotropin-independent)
 * Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) -- a test that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body.

=Background=

Precocious Puberty used to be caused by a variety of genetic diseases (Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Hypothalamic hamartoma, McCu ne-Albright syndrome) so was quite uncommon in the past. For girls, if any of these changes take place before the age of 8 then is is considered too early, however some studies has shown that in Caucasian and African-American girls, living in the US this might not be considered early. And for boys any physical development that occurs early than the age of 9 is considered "early" as well.

Although it might seem like there are no obvious problems with this increasingly new phenomena, there are actually are many complications. Many times this early development can cause tumors, it might also be a result of a disease, children might ironically not fully develop, for example they might never grow to their full potential. Also, many children with precocious puberty have social problems because they look and feel different than their peers and this makes it hard for many children to "fit in". This can result in a variety of problems;self-esteem problems,depression, acting out at school and home, and abuse of alcohol and illegal substances.

The reason precocious puberty is such a problem, is it is happening more and more often. However now it is not because of a genetic disease, it is from unknown causes. Many scientist and researchers believe it is the pollutants and toxins in the air that are causing this. Because in less developed countries this is not a noticeable problem. It is not the fact that kids are developing early that is the problem, the issue arises of, why does this happen, because it is not natural. There must be something in our environment, or the way genes are passed down that is causing this. It is very tell that there might be a bigger problem we have not yet discovered.

=Treatment=

The main treatment for precocious treatment at this point in times are medications that slow down the release of certain puberty inducing hormones. Any tumors that have formed in a patient with this disorder can be removed. Further treatment for precocious puberty can be determined by a medical care physician according to child's overall health and medical history, extent of the condition, child's tolerance for certain medications, and the parents' opinion on how involved with treatment they want their child to be.

Percocious Puberty does not only affect the body but may cause turmoil for the emotional and mental health of a child. Early puberty will cause a child's body to change much sooner than their peers. This being different, combined with the hormonal changes can cause emotional mood swings. A child may feel uncomfortable about his / her body changes as well. It is important to make sure the child knows that they are loved even though they are a bit different and that it doesn't make them any less of a person.