OverviewPrecocious puberty is when a child's body begins changing into that of an adult (puberty) too soon. When puberty begins before age 8 in girls and before age 9 in boys, it is considered precocious puberty. Show Puberty includes rapid growth of bones and muscles, changes in body shape and size, and development of the body's ability to reproduce. The cause of precocious puberty often can't be found. Rarely, certain conditions, such as infections, hormone disorders, tumors, brain abnormalities or injuries, may cause precocious puberty. Treatment for precocious puberty typically includes medication to delay further development. SymptomsPrecocious puberty signs and symptoms include development of the following before age 8 in girls and before age 9 in boys.
When to see a doctorMake an appointment with your child's doctor for an evaluation if your child has any of the signs or symptoms of precocious puberty. CausesTo understand what causes precocious puberty in some children, it's helpful to know what causes puberty to begin. The brain starts the process with the production of a hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). When this hormone reaches the pituitary gland — a small bean-shaped gland at the base of your brain — it leads to the production of more hormones in the ovaries for females (estrogen) and the testicles for males (testosterone). Estrogen is involved in the growth and development of female sexual characteristics. Testosterone is responsible for the growth and development of male sexual characteristics. Why this process begins early in some children depends on whether they have central precocious puberty or peripheral precocious puberty. Central precocious pubertyThe cause for this type of precocious puberty often can't be identified. In central precocious puberty, the puberty process starts too soon. The pattern and timing of the steps in the process are otherwise normal. For the majority of children with this condition, there's no underlying medical problem and no identifiable reason for the early puberty. In rare cases, central precocious puberty may be caused by:
Peripheral precocious pubertyEstrogen or testosterone in your child's body causes this type of precocious puberty. The less common peripheral precocious puberty occurs without the involvement of the hormone in your brain (GnRH) that normally triggers the start of puberty. Instead, the cause is release of estrogen or testosterone into the body because of problems with the ovaries, testicles, adrenal glands or pituitary gland. In both girls and boys, the following may lead to peripheral precocious puberty:
In girls, peripheral precocious puberty may also be associated with:
In boys, peripheral precocious puberty may also be caused by:
Risk factorsFactors that increase a child's risk of precocious puberty include:
ComplicationsPossible complications of precocious puberty include:
PreventionSome of the risk factors for precocious puberty, such as sex and race, can't be avoided. But, there are things you can do to reduce your child's chances of developing precocious puberty, including:
Feb. 15, 2021 Which hormone triggers the start of puberty?Puberty's trigger lies in a small part of the brain called the hypothalamus, a gland that secretes gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
Which hormone triggers the start of puberty quizlet?Puberty is triggered by the increased secretion of Luteinizing Hormone (LH). Because of the increased pulses of LH at puberty, the gonads secrete increased amounts of sex steroid hormones.
What is the first step of puberty?Tanner stage 1
The brain begins to send signals to the body to prepare for changes. The hypothalamus begins to release gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to the pituitary gland, which makes hormones that control other glands in the body.
What triggers the puberty stage in males and females?Hormones from the brain trigger the start of puberty. Hormones are chemical messengers that tell the body what to do. In males: The hormones tell the testicles to make the hormone testosterone and sperm. In females: The hormones tell the ovaries to make the hormone estrogen and triggers the growth and release of eggs.
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