What is precocious puberty and what are the symptoms?
Precocious puberty – the onset of signs of puberty before age 7 or 8 in girls and age 9 in boys – can be physically and emotionally difficult for children and can sometimes be the sign of an underlying health problem. In girls, the telltale signs of precocious puberty include any of the following before 7 or 8 years of age: * breast development * pubic or underarm hair development * rapid height growth – a growth “spurt” * onset of menstruation * acne * “mature” body odor In boys, the signs of precocious puberty before 9 years of age include: * enlargement of the testicles or penis * pubic, underarm, or facial hair development * rapid height growth – a growth “spurt” * voice deepening * acne * “mature” body odor This is happening more and more often now. It is now COMMON for 8 year old girls to start menstruating.
