Pubertas praecox

Medications can stop the release of sexual hormones. Some tumors need to be removed with surgery.

Children who go through puberty too early may not reach their full height because growth stops too early.

Children with early sexual development are more likely to have psychological and social problems. Children and adolescents generally want to be the same as their peers, and early sexual development can make them appear different. This can result in self-esteem problems, depression, acting out at school and home, and abuse of alcohol and illegal substances.

See your health care provider if:

• Your child shows signs of precocious puberty
• Any child with early sexual development appears to be having social problems in school

Images

Endocrine glands

Male and female reproductive systems

Review Date: 08/02/2009
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)