Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Pediatric Endocrinology (Expert Forum)
Early puberty?
Answered by
Deanna L Aftab Guy, MD - Short Stature, thyroid, Pituitary abnormalit, Puberty concerns, Rapid Growth, Adrenal problems, Parathyroid abnormal, Rickets and bone dis
Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital
Nashville - TN
Questions in the Pediatric Endocrinology forum are answered by Dr. Deanna L Aftab Guy, affiliated with Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. Topics covered include adrenal problems, diabetes insipidus, menstrual irregularities, obesity, parathyroid abnormalities, pituitary abnormalities, puberty concerns, rapid growth, rickets and bone disease, short stature, and thyroid.
Early puberty?
by neuroticmum, Mar 15, 2008 03:00PM
My daughter started breast development when she was six years old. She is now eight years old, and although her breasts are not significantly larger, tests have shown that her bone age is about a year advanced of her actual age. I don't know how significant this is - is that a small or a large difference? She has recently had blood taken and an abdominal ultrasound, which we should get the results from in a few weeks. What questions should I be asking her paediatrician? She has not yet started her period, although she has said that her pants sometimes feel a bit damp, and she is now suffering stomach pains - could this be onset of menstrual cramps? Sorry to ask so many questions, but I am concerned what the effects on her long-term might be, and worried about the reason for it happening at all!
Doctor's Answer
by Deanna L Aftab Guy, MD, Mar 28, 2008 09:53AM
, Mar 28, 2008 09:53AM
To: neuroticmum and grace5
Breast development prior to age 8 or so needs sooner evaluation than others. She may indeed have early signalling of the pituitary hormones. I would ask her pediatrician to refer you to a pediatric endocrinologist. They could get levels while waiting to include LH, FSH, estradiol, TSH, free T4, these are the puberty hormones and thyroid hormones that are helpful in looking at other causes.
A pelvic ultrasound from the abdomen will look at her ovary to see if there is a cyst causing the estrogen effect.
Yes, since she had breasts at age 6 she needs an evaluation.
In regards to the almost 9 year old I also evaluate those girls to be sure that it is just a normal tempo of puberty. So workup might include just a bone age and a good history and physical to determine if labs or other workup is needed.
A pelvic ultrasound from the abdomen will look at her ovary to see if there is a cyst causing the estrogen effect.
Yes, since she had breasts at age 6 she needs an evaluation.
In regards to the almost 9 year old I also evaluate those girls to be sure that it is just a normal tempo of puberty. So workup might include just a bone age and a good history and physical to determine if labs or other workup is needed.
My daughter is the same age (will be 9 in two months) and I've got the same concerns. I will do more research on the topic. Do you have an appt with a paediatric endocrinologist? Great Ormond Street would be the place for that. I am guessing you are in the UK by the language you use. I used to live in the UK.
With my best,
Grace