Overview
Puberty that starts too early (precocious) or too late (delayed) can cause physical and emotional distress, and affect final adult height. Dr. Manisha provides sensitive, expert pediatric endocrine care for these conditions.
Signs to Watch For
- Signs of puberty before age 8 in girls or 9 in boys
- No signs of puberty by age 13 in girls or 14 in boys
- Rapid bone growth initially followed by stunted final height
Causes
Precocious puberty is often idiopathic (unknown cause) in girls but can be linked to central nervous system abnormalities. Delayed puberty is often constitutional (genetic delay) but can indicate pituitary or gonadal failure.
Diagnosis
Evaluation includes detailed growth charting, bone age X-rays, and specialized hormonal testing (LH, FSH, sex steroids).
Treatment Options
Treatment aims to ensure normal physical and psychological development and preserve normal adult height.
- GnRH analogue therapy to pause early puberty
- Short-term sex hormone therapy to kickstart delayed puberty
- Close monitoring of growth and bone age
- Psychological support for the child and family
frequently asked questions
Without treatment, early puberty can cause bones to mature and stop growing too soon. Medical treatment can halt this process and preserve their height potential.
Not always. Many children are simply \"late bloomers\" due to genetics, but a medical evaluation is important to rule out underlying hormonal deficiencies.