Should I be worried about early puberty?

[ChristineRE]

My daughter is 8 yrs 5 months.  I noticed pubic hair shortly after her 8th birthday, and today I noticed underarm hair.  She has had some body odor issues, and had has 2 bouts of small acne breakouts on her face during 2nd grade.  I have not noticed breast buds.  I would consider her average height and weight.  She has a long history of chronic respiratory infections/pneumonia's, and has had 2 left thorcatomies over the last 3 years to remove a bronchogenic cyst from her chest cavity.  She has had much exposure to prednisone, flovent and other respiratory medications.  I am devastated that she seems to be starting puberty early.  Is she?  Should I be worried?  Could all of the medications to treat her respiratory issues cause this?  Should I look to take her to a pediatric endochronologist?  Please help.  

[Deanna L Aftab Guy, MD]

This is a hard question since she is already 8 BUT, I would tend to refer her anyway, be sure that she does not have early puberty per se, and also be sure that her adrenals are normal. Talk with your pediatrician and I am sure they will agree, ask them if they will get a bone age of the left hand to see if the bones are advanced, if not this is very very reassuring and gives you time till the appt with the endo

[ChristineRE]

Thanks for replying.  I'll call her doctor tomorrow.