There are many different treatments and options for precocious puberty, but what are the causes and the genetics involved? In this article, you’ll learn all about its symptoms and causes. The good news is that it’s a relatively rare condition. And although it may be difficult to treat, it’s a condition you can learn about. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, you should seek medical attention.
Treatment
There are several treatment options for peripheral precocious puberty, depending on the cause. Blood tests are used to determine hormone levels in the body and bone age, while X-rays are used to measure bone maturation. The doctor may recommend other tests to rule out any underlying causes. An ultrasound or pelvic ultrasound is also used to determine blood flow through various vessels. Treatment for precocious puberty may involve surgery, but it is unlikely that your child will be able to finish school.
In addition to medication, treatment for precocious puberty should include supportive counseling. This type of counseling should involve a qualified therapist with expertise in the psychosocial aspects of developmental behavior. Children with this condition may also be prone to depression and substance abuse. Ultimately, however, treatment for precocious puberty should be discussed with a physician, who will make the best recommendations for the child.
Causes
Although most children mature according to chronologic age, some children exhibit precocious puberty. These children are often labeled as developmentally delayed by teachers and parents. Parents and peers may have unrealistic expectations for their child’s intellectual and athletic abilities. These children need counseling about secondary sexual characteristics and may even benefit from special tutoring to improve their school performance. Causes of precocious puberty vary, depending on the individual child’s genetic makeup and other factors.
The onset of puberty at a very young age is considered precocious in boys, although there is some controversy about the exact age. For girls, pubertal onset earlier than nine years is considered normal. It’s important to recognize that delayed diagnosis may lead to missed pathologic causes of precocious puberty. Some children have precocious puberty despite no genetic predisposition.
Symptoms
Some children may have early puberty because of a genetic or structural abnormality. Other precocious puberty symptoms can be caused by the overproduction of sex hormones. While precocious puberty symptoms are often harmless, they may trigger emotional or physical reactions. Normal puberty is a process of physical growth and development that produces both sex hormones and adult physical characteristics.
Parents may want to discuss their concerns with a psychologist or pediatrician. Discuss the changes your child will experience during this transition period. Talking about sex with your child may be helpful and make sure they understand why these changes happen. Parents should not be judgmental about their child’s appearance or body size. If your child is depressed or moody, it might be a sign that they’re beginning puberty too early. A doctor can prescribe hormone therapy to help them delay their sexual development, as well as treatments to correct their hormonal imbalance.
There are also medical tests to diagnose precocious puberty. A physical exam will measure your child’s height and weight and assess their sexual development. Ultrasound will help reveal the cause of precocious puberty and can also help doctors find a cause for it. Some precocious puberty symptoms are listed below:
Genetics
To understand the genetics of early puberty, researchers have looked at pedigrees. Each family contains one or more affected probands. First-degree relatives are parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. The affected first-degree relative’s family is further divided into unilineal and bilineal families. In unilineal families, only one parent is affected; in bilineal families, at least one parent is unaffected.
One gene has been implicated as a potential cause of early puberty. This gene is located in the protein-coding regions of the genome. The researchers studied 40 people from 15 families with multiple members affected. They identified five families with mutations in MKRN3 that prevent the gene from functioning normally, resulting in early puberty. The researchers are now investigating if this mutation is a cause of early puberty in these families.
Other causes of early puberty include genetics, diet, and socioeconomic status. In addition to genetics, nutrition and exposure to chemicals can influence the timing of puberty. A small number of children develop early puberty. In these cases, the child’s body does not reach adulthood before the age of 10. This can result in behavioral problems, short stature, or psychological disorders. Despite the underlying causes, the condition can be inherited.