Premature puberty in girls

Premature puberty is a process in which a girl's signs of puberty appear before the age of 8.: 

• Mammary glands develop
• Pubic hair appears
• Cyclical menstruation begins.

With the full form of puberty, several signs appear at once, with incomplete – one of them.  

Causes and forms

Precocious puberty is divided into two types:

1. Gonadotropin–dependent - it can be central or true
2. Gonadotropin–independent - it can be peripheral or false.

Gonadotropin-dependent disease has only a complete form, because it shows all 3 signs, and the acceleration of the closure of growth zones, while the physiological rate at which other organs and systems mature is maintained. Growth zones include cartilaginous zones in the spine and at the ends of bones. Due to them, the child grows. They are considered open until the tissues in these areas become coarse.

Causes of gonadotropin-dependent form:

1. Hereditary factor
2. The presence of tumors or other brain pathologies
3. Russell-Silver syndrome, which has a hereditary nature.

Premature maturation of a gonadotropin-independent type may have an incomplete form with manifestations of an isosexual (female-type) or heterosexual (male-type) character.

Causes of gonadotropin-independent form:

1. The presence of tumors in the ovaries or adrenal glands.
2. Dysfunctions of the adrenal cortex of an innate nature.
3. Congenital or untreated forms of hypothyroidism.
4. The presence of other hereditary pathologies is one of them, McCune–Albright-Braitsev syndrome, which causes uncontrolled activation of estrogen production.
5. Family predisposition.
6. Hormone therapy, the presence of growth hormone, androgens and estrogens in the child's diet.

Diagnosis of premature puberty

If a girl has one or more signs of this condition, it is worth undergoing an examination that includes:

• Assessment of hormonal status, hormonal tests.
• Ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs.
X-ray examination of the hand and wrist joint (which will allow to establish the biological age).
• Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain.
Cytogenetic and molecular genetic research.
• Examination by an ophthalmologist.

Treatment

Therapy is selected based on the causes that caused the disease and the form of the detected premature puberty. The age of the girl and the presence of concomitant diseases are taken into account.

Surgeries are performed if tumors of the adrenal glands or ovaries of a hormone-active nature and bulky formations of the brain have been identified. 

If no tumors have been identified, hormone therapy is prescribed. In addition, lifestyle adjustments, sleep patterns, physical activity, and proper nutrition are recommended. In some cases, a medical withdrawal (refusal) from vaccination is given.

During treatment, the girl needs to be monitored, and if necessary, the dosage of hormonal drugs should be adjusted.

Possible complications

If premature puberty is not corrected, complications may occur. This condition threatens infertility, osteoporosis, obesity, hypertension, and the presence of psychological problems.

Advantages of contacting the EMC

• EMC specialists with work experience in the world's leading clinics.
• Modern international protocols for diagnosis and treatment.
• Multidisciplinary clinic: we can organize interdisciplinary consultations with the participation of all necessary specialists.