CENTRAL PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY

Overview and Facts

Central precocious puberty (CPP) is an uncommon disease that appears when the body matures more quickly, usually years earlier than expected.

Puberty prior to the age of eight for women and around the age of nine for men. Normal puberty can begin as early as age 6 in females and age 8 in males for some youngsters, particularly those who are Hispanic or African-American. Furthermore, puberty symptoms, like growing breasts and body hair, develop much earlier with CPP. It is more prevalent among women. 

When CPP occurs in males, it is frequently due to another, possibly serious health condition. Females, on the other hand, are rarely like this.

Even when it occurs on time, puberty is a significant transformation. Early puberty could also result in bone growth problems. You must speak with your child’s doctor about the issue. Besides, you can slow or even reverse the changes in their body if it’s treated too early.

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

The following are transformations you’d expect to see in a maturing adolescent are the symptoms of central precocious puberty (CPP):

  • Acne
  • Emotional changes
  • Body odor
  • Hair on genitals, underarms, and face
  • Mood swings
  • Sexual development, such as testicle growth or bread buds 

Hair can appear on the under the arm or genitals in children, but this does not necessarily indicate that they enter puberty.

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

Before performing a test or exam on your child, the doctor will probably ask you questions:

  • What changes in your child’s physical appearance have you noticed?
  • Has their attitude changed lately?
  • When did you see this for the first time? How long has this transformation been there?
  • Is there a family history of early puberty?

Following that, your doctor will confirm the diagnosis of central precocious puberty (CPP) by doing the following tests:

  • Examine your child’s and family’s medical history.
  • Perform a physical examination.
  • Test your hormone levels with blood testing.

Central precocious puberty (CPP) can also be diagnosed via X-rays of your child’s wrist and hand. These X-rays can allow your child’s doctor to assess their bone age, which indicates whether or not the bones are developing too fast.

TREATMENT

The treatment is determined by the underlying cause. In certain situations, unfortunately, there is no known cause for precocious puberty. 

Usually, the condition is treated using: 

  • GnRH analog therapy 
  • Histrelin implant 

Related Articles

TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that affects the [...]

TRICHINOSIS

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a parasitic infection caused by [...]

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological condition characterized by severe facial pain. [...]