Premature thelarche
Premature Thelarche
Premature thelarche (pronounced: pree-MAY-chur thel-AR-kee) is a medical condition characterized by the early onset of breast development in girls before the age of 8. The term originates from the Greek words "premature", meaning "before time", and "thelarche", which refers to the onset of secondary breast development.
Definition
Premature thelarche is defined as the isolated development of breasts in girls younger than 8 years old, without any other signs of puberty. This condition is usually benign and self-limiting, meaning it often resolves on its own without treatment.
Causes
The exact cause of premature thelarche is unknown. However, it is believed to be due to a temporary activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, which is responsible for the production of sex hormones. Other potential causes include exposure to environmental estrogens and genetic factors.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of premature thelarche is the early development of breasts. There are usually no other signs of puberty, such as pubic hair growth or rapid growth in height. In some cases, there may be slight nipple sensitivity or discomfort.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of premature thelarche is typically based on physical examination and medical history. Additional tests, such as blood tests to measure hormone levels and bone age X-rays, may be performed to rule out other conditions that can cause early puberty, such as precocious puberty or an ovarian cyst.
Treatment
Treatment for premature thelarche is usually not necessary, as the condition often resolves on its own. However, regular follow-up visits with a pediatric endocrinologist may be recommended to monitor the child's development and ensure that other signs of puberty do not appear prematurely.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Premature thelarche
- Wikipedia's article - Premature thelarche
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski