Precocious puberty

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Precocious Puberty

Precocious puberty (/prɪˈkoʊʃəs pjuːˈbɜːrti/) is a medical condition characterized by the early onset of puberty in children. The term is derived from the Latin word 'praecox', meaning 'early ripe', and the English word 'puberty', which refers to the period in life when a person becomes capable of sexual reproduction.

Definition

Precocious puberty is defined as the development of secondary sexual characteristics before the age of 8 in girls and 9 in boys. These characteristics include breast development in girls, testicular enlargement in boys, and the growth of pubic hair in both sexes.

Causes

The causes of precocious puberty can be divided into two categories: idiopathic and pathological. Idiopathic precocious puberty, also known as central precocious puberty, is the most common type and is thought to be due to early maturation of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Pathological precocious puberty, also known as peripheral precocious puberty, is caused by conditions such as ovarian cysts, testicular tumors, and adrenal gland disorders.

Treatment

Treatment for precocious puberty typically involves medication to delay further development. The most commonly used drugs are gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, which suppress the production of sex hormones. In cases where a specific cause can be identified, such as a tumor, treatment may also involve surgery or other interventions.

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