It may happen that some children show the first public development signals in advance of the commonly observed age groups. How are you sure are early puberty?
There pubertyor public development, is an important phase in the growth of all children who accompanies them to adulthood and is marked by maturation of sexual characteristics.
It is a very delicate moment of development, so it is important to know that each child is unique and that there are variations in the way and times when the body begins to change, with slight differences between males and females.
It may happen that some children manifest i first signals of public development in advance or late compared to the commonly observed age groups. When the first signs of development present themselves in advance of the average of the population, we speak of early puberty.
Usually the first sign of early puberty in females It is the development before the age of 8 years of the breast button, a small gland appreciable under the nipple as a “peanut”.
There early puberty in males it is generally less evident, as it occurs with the increase in the volume of the testicles before 9 years.
It should also be noted that there are various conditions that can simulate the beginning of public development, but that tend to regress spontaneously. For many families, early puberty can be a source of concern and confusion. We try, therefore, to explain What are the signals And the timing of normal pubertal development in boys and girls, in order to be able to face this path together with more serenity.
When can we talk about early puberty?
The public development It is a natural phase of the growth of each child, on the road that leads from childhood to adulthood.
Puberty is a complex phenomenon that starts from hormonal production, passes through the maturation of sex glands (ovaries for females and testicles for males) and becomes evident with the development of secondary sexual characteristics: development of breasts, increase in the volume of the testicles, penis growth, modification of the stamp of the voice, distribution and number of hair, distribution of body fat and development of muscle mass.
Of course there are some differences from child to child in the presentation of puberty. Some families can recognize early mood and/or personality changes of their children, others notice the increase in height, still others can identify the development of the former sexual characteristics.
THE’beginning of the puberty is strongly influenced by genetic predisposition: If the mother had the first menstruation very soon, it is very likely that the daughter also show a similar situation. On the contrary, if the development of the parents took place later, it is likely that the same happens in children. However, there are also other factors that can influence development timing, such as nutrition, pollution and geographical origin. In case of overweight or obesityfor example, puberty could start before time: the adipose tissue in fact produces hormones capable of starting development early. It is also thought that some chemical compounds used in cosmetics and plasticized containers (for example phenols, phthalates and phytoestrogens), they can contribute to this phenomenon, as well as the estrogen contained in the Carni treated.
But then, at what age can puberty be defined early? In females, puberty usually begins between 8 and 13 years and lasts about 3-5 years. In Italy, the menarca (first menstruation) presents itself on average around 12 and a half years.
When the first signs of public development appear between 8 and 9-10 years, we speak of “early puberty “a condition considered “paraphysical“, Still within the limits of the norm. There is therefore no need to worry. We can talk about early puberty if theage from the girl which develops the first sexual characteristics is less than 8 years.
In the malepuberty normally begins between 9 and 14 years and lasts about 3-4 years. There is therefore talk of early puberty If the development begins at age lower than 9 years. Early puberty is about 10 times more frequent in females than in males.
Early puberty: what are the signals?
As anticipated, puberty in the female manifests itself with the appearance of mammary buttona small gland appreciable under the nipple as a “button”, but it should be emphasized that we can speak of real puberty only if they associate with this initial sign Other symptoms which:
- appearance of vaginal secretions;
- increase in growth speed;
- appearance of pubic and axillary hair.
If all these signals arise in a child of age less than 8 yearswe talk about early puberty.
The appearance of a isolated breast button, also said “premature canvas“, Which does not increase in size in time and without other signs of public development can take place in various eras of life, without this being a early puberty signal. For example, this is one very frequent condition in babies In the very first weeks of life (due to the passage of maternal estrogen to the fetus during pregnancy), but also in girls before 2 years and after 5 years, or without apparent triggering causes or for exposure to gods Environmental pollutants (treated meats, cosmetics or plastics). Observation of the trend over time through Pediatrician evaluation and the removal from the triggering causes often lead to the total regression of the picture without consequences for the future development and growth.
In males, during childhood, i testicles They have a size similar to that of a almond. The first sign of the beginning of puberty is theIncrease in the volume of the testicleswhich reaches the size of a table grape or a date (about 4 ml).
In a child under the age of less than 9 years signs to recognize early puberty besidesIncrease in the volume of the testicles They are the increase in growth speed, the increase in muscle mass, the modification of the stamp of the voice, the appearance of body hair, pubic and axillary.
The appearance of Pubic or isolated axillary hair (without the appearance of other sexual characteristics) it does not fall among the symptoms of early puberty, In fact, it can be said that “the hair (alone) do not do puberty”. The same can be said for one Acre sweating: also, if isolated or accompanied by the appearance of pubic hair, it is not worrying in itself. The latter phenomena fall within the symptoms due to the activation of a hormonal way other than the pubertal one, in fact we speak of “Early adrenarca”, Condition worthy of attention from the pediatrician But generally benign.
What to do in case of early puberty?
Early puberty is now a rather frequent condition, with a trend increased in recent decades.
The discovery of early physical changescan create great havoc within families. Often it is feared that too quick growth can jeopardize the psychological well -being children, still considered too small to mature because they could feel uncomfortable with their peers and not yet ready to accept the “new body”.
Developing too quickly could also lead to some consequences on the final height: despite an initial growth phase much faster than peers, a boy or a child with early puberty could stop growing before the time, thus remaining “lower/a” than expected. The sex hormones They are for the height like a straw fire: as they grow very quickly, growing grow very quickly.
At the first signs of suspicion, it is therefore advisable to collect all the information necessary to understand if it is a true premature puberty or if we are faced with one of the transitory conditions that can simulate puberty. The important things to consider I am:
- age of maternal menarca;
- age of development of the father;
- era of appearance of the first public signs;
- consumption of treated meats or use of cosmetics;
- progression speed (mammary/testicle glands that continue to grow in a few months?);
- growth speed (has it changed very quickly? Are you overcoming all the classmates?);
- Presence of other signs of puberty (acne, oily skin, acrid sweating, pubic and axillary hair, erections in males and vaginal losses in females).
All this information, combine with ain -depth visit by the careful pediatriciancan help put useful pieces together to suspect and face early puberty.
Given the complexity of the phenomenon, diagnosing this condition is not always easy, as it is not easy to accept its physical and psychological consequences. Rely on the pediatrician It is therefore essential to understand together when worry about early puberty.
It is up to the professional to evaluate the need for further investigations, including blood tests, RX of the wrist and hand (to evaluate “the bone age”), ultrasound of the uterus/ovaries or testicles, Pediatric endocrinological evaluation.
If the picture of early puberty is confirmed, it is still possible “block“Puberty pharmacologically, without consequences for the normal future development that can resume as soon as the age of the boy or girl is more adequate.
Taking into consideration the growth expectations, fears and emotional and physical implications of early maturation, families must be taken in charge and guided by the pediatric and the pediatric endocrinologist in the choice of therapeutic path Better to undertake.
Early puberty can be adifficult experience Not only for the child, but also for the family. In addition to physical changes, children can experience a series of complex emotions, including confusion, anxiety and stress. It is essential that parents are aware of the importance of emotional and psychological support during this transition period. Maintain open communication, provide Adequate information And emotional support can make a big difference in the well -being of the child. In the most delicate cases, the support of one child psychologist It can be useful. The parents, on their side, need the right support from the pediatrician and the figures who contribute to the well -being of the entire nucleus.
Involving the right professionals and using community resources can strengthen the family’s ability to face this development phase with confidence and serenity.
