5 3/4 year old girl with recent breast development and pubic hair

[WendyAB]

Hello,

I am VERY concerned about my daughter.  In the last month (at 5 3/4 years old) she has developed breast buds and complained that her nipples hurt.  Just today, I noticed a few public hairs.  She has had a done a bone age which shows 6 years 3 months.  The Dr said not to worry about central nervous system tumors as her growth has not shot up (she is at the 37th percentile in height and was at 44th last year).  Earlier years were about 50th percentile.  

She is healthy in every other way though every week or so says she has a headache - it goes away by late morning.  Of course, I am completely concerned about tumors.  We are seeing an endocrinologist next week.  I started my period very late (15 1/2 and did not have breast development until 12 years old).  My husband recalls that he developed a bit early.

I have read that breast development with no public hair may have a correlation to tumors.  Can you help me understand the risks for my daughter?  Are there any indications she may have a tumor?  We are TERRIFIED we may lose her.  Thank you,

[stoza]

A related discussion, too young was started.

[nitasmom]

A related discussion, pubic hair on 4 year old girl was started.

[Deanna L Aftab Guy, MD]

Brain tumors are rare but yes, important to monitor, I would first address the early puberty, have her referred asap to peds endo, she may need labs done and assessment to see if her brain is signalling too early, most of my patients have unknown reason and the few that need treatment do very well. Labs to get include LH, FSH, free T4, TSH, estradiol. If she has suspicious exam or screening labs a leuprolide stim test is needed, baseline and 1 hour labs after giving leuprolide which in a nonpubertal child will show no change an in a child with early pubertal signalling will show a peak LH of 6 or 7 and labs done 24 hours later also will show a rise in estradiol. A pelvic ultrasound is also important, she may have a simple cyst on her ovary causing estrogen to stimulate her breast tissue, this is benign usually and simply can be monitored as long as things do not progress.
Start with referral to peds endo and go from there.

[singingmom]

I am experiencing the exact same thing!  My daughter just turned 6 in May and has developed small breasts as we as hair under arms (no pubic hair though), and a fowel smell below.  We have an appointment this Saturday morning.....I am nervous too :0(