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<p>Currently, the condition of children entering puberty earlier than in the past is more commonly observed, especially in girls more than boys. Parents and guardians need to closely monitor because there are often underlying abnormalities, which not only affect physical growth but also impact the child&#8217;s mental state. Parents can observe the following physical changes:</p>
<h2 style="color: #008080;"><span style="color: #00826a;">Girls</span></h2>
<ul>
<li>Breast development before the age of 8 or menstruation before the age of 9</li>
<li>Beginning of pubic and underarm hair growth</li>
<li>Acne and body odor</li>
<li>Widening of hips</li>
<li>Vaginal discharge</li>
<li>Rapid increase in height</li>
</ul>
<h2 style="color: #008080;"><span style="color: #00826a;">Boys</span></h2>
<ul>
<li>Enlargement of testicles and penis before the age of 9</li>
<li>Beginning of pubic and underarm hair growth</li>
<li>Acne, body odor, and voice deepening</li>
<li>Rapid increase in height</li>
</ul>
<h2 style="color: #008080;"><span style="color: #00826a;">Factors causing early puberty</span></h2>
<p>Obesity is a major factor stimulating early puberty. It is increasingly found nowadays due to high-fat diets, leading to obesity, such as frequent consumption of crispy, fried, oily foods, high-fat foods, ice cream, cakes, chocolate, and growth-promoting foods like chicken, etc.</p>
<h2 style="color: #008080;"><span style="color: #00826a;">Diagnosis of early puberty</span></h2>
<p>To diagnose whether a child is experiencing early puberty, besides the doctor examining the body and assessing weight and height history, additional tests include:</p>
<ul>
<li>X-rays to assess bone age, as early puberty causes bones to appear older than the actual age. Doctors use this information to decide whether to administer hormone-suppressing medication.</li>
<li>Blood tests to measure hormone levels. Early growth causes sex hormone levels to be higher than normal. This test confirms that the child&#8217;s body is undergoing changes associated with early puberty.</li>
<li>Ultrasound of the ovaries and uterus in girls to check for abnormalities in the ovaries or uterus.</li>
</ul>
<h2 style="color: #008080;"><span style="color: #00826a;">Hormone control to inhibit early puberty</span></h2>
<p>Treatment with hormone injection to control sex hormones is considered for children with early puberty who are affected in their final height. For girls, injections are considered if height is less than 150 cm, and for boys if height is less than 160 cm. The injection is given once a month for about 2-3 consecutive years.</p>
<p>During treatment, children should consume a balanced diet with all five food groups, reduce high-fat foods, drink about 750-1000 cc of plain milk per day, exercise regularly for 30 minutes daily, and get enough sleep without staying up late.</p>
<h2 style="color: #008080;"><span style="color: #00826a;">Impacts of early puberty in children</span></h2>
<p>Children who undergo physical changes early experience rapid bone age advancement, which results in shorter adult height due to early bone closure. This causes children to become adults shorter than the general standard. Additionally, rapid physical growth compared to peers may cause children to be teased, compared, and lose self-confidence. Parents should pay attention to their child&#8217;s mental health and emotional adjustment as well.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>Dr. Nuanphong Rianmanee</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">Specialist in Endocrinology and Metabolism</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">Child and Adolescent Health Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital</div>


Currently, the condition of children entering puberty earlier than before is more commonly observed, where children grow faster than their peers of the same age. This is more commonly found in girls than boys. Parents and guardians need to regularly observe.

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How should parents cope? When their child experiences precocious puberty

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