How to cope… if your daughter matures early
Signs indicating… your daughter is maturing early
Even though your daughter is under 8 years old, you notice a lump like kidney-shaped tissue under the areola, about 1-2 centimeters in size. After that, the breasts begin to enlarge, vaginal discharge starts… and menstruation occurs before the age of 10.
Take your child to the doctor before age 9… to help prevent it
Because parents cannot know if their child will experience precocious puberty or not, the best prevention is to take your child to see a pediatric endocrinologist for a physical examination before the child turns 9 years old.
If prevention is too late… treatment must be urgent!
Brain tumors… are one cause of precocious puberty in children. When parents notice the signs, take the child to see a pediatrician for an ovarian ultrasound or brain MRI to “find the cause” whether it is due to a brain tumor or ovarian cyst.
Early menstruation… does it really cause short stature?
When a child experiences precocious puberty, parents often ask… will their daughter be shorter than the standard? After the first menstruation, the body can still grow about 5-7 centimeters in height, but the growth rate slows down compared to before menstruation… and stops about 3 years after menstruation begins.
If any parents are worried or afraid that their child’s precocious puberty may be inherited genetically, they can contact a pediatric endocrinologist specializing in endocrine disorders, obesity, and growth at Phyathai Sriracha Hospital.