Researchers and physicians hypothesized about possible causes for the increase in early puberty, such as increasing rates of obesity; greater exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in food, plastics, and personal-care products; and stressful or abusive home environments.
The most probable explanation for why periods and breast development might be happening younger is that girls tend to weigh more today than they did a generation ago—and this higher body fat percentage is leading to earlier activation of the pituitary gland, which produces the hormones responsible for puberty.
Gradually, the age when children's bodies start to undergo these changes is getting lower and lower: girls of this generation are starting to experience thelarche or breast-budding, the first sign of puberty, a year earlier than their mothers did, according to an international study published in the scientific journal ...
For most children, early puberty starts for no known reason. It can run in families. Sometimes there is a problem in the brain, such as an injury, a tumor or an infection. Early puberty can also be caused by a problem in the sex glands (testes or ovaries), the thyroid gland or the adrenal glands.
“For example, at the turn of the 20th century, the average age for an American girl to get her period was 16 or 17. Today, that number has decreased to 12 or 13 years.” It's not just girls, a study from the American Academy of Pediatrics found that boys were starting puberty earlier than previously recorded.
Higher total protein, animal protein and meat intake in children ages 3 to 7 have been associated with earlier onset of menstruation. High protein intake elevates IGF-1 levels and promotes growth, which could accelerate the onset of puberty.
On average, girls will begin puberty around age 11 and boys around age 12. However, it is considered typical for puberty to begin any time between ages 8 and 14. If puberty begins earlier, it might signify a condition called precocious puberty. This is when puberty begins before age 8 in girls and age 9 in boys.
Boys tend to show the first physical changes of puberty between the ages of 10 and 16. They tend to grow most quickly between ages 12 and 15. The growth spurt of boys is, on average, about 2 years later than that of girls. By age 16, most boys have stopped growing, but their muscles will continue to develop.
It can start as early as age 9. Puberty is a process that takes place for several years. Most girls finish puberty by age 14. Most boys finish puberty by age 15 or 16.
Most girls start their periods when they're about 12, but they can start as early as 8, so it's important to talk to girls from an early age to make sure they're prepared.
For most girls, their first menstrual period, or menarche (say: MEH-nar-kee), begins about 2 years after she first starts to get breasts. For most girls this is around age 12. But it can be as early as age 8 or as late as 15.
The “unhealthy diet” pattern was significantly positively associated with precocious puberty in both boys (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.02–1.51) and girls (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.10–1.56).
It's not uncommon for young children to show certain traits associated with puberty, including some pubic hair, underarm hair and the beginnings of breast development, said Dr. Paul Kaplowitz, who led the American Academy of Pediatrics report.
Because their skeletons mature and bone growth stops at an earlier age than normal, kids with precocious puberty that's not treated usually don't reach their full adult height potential. Their early growth spurt may make them initially tall when compared with their peers.
In years past, girls typically began puberty at age 10 or 11. But a study published three years ago in the journal Pediatrics suggested that it's now normal for girls of 7 (if they're African-American) or 8 (if they're white) to have breast and pubic hair development.
According to a new survey of parents, age 15 is the hardest age to deal with.
For central precocious puberty, medications called GnRH analogs are the standard treatment. They work by blocking the hormones coming from the pituitary gland that trigger puberty. Most children who need treatment get these medicines as injections or implants.
Nine-year-olds are maturing emotionally and becoming more cognitively advanced. They are continuing to grow taller and stronger and they may be mentally ready to excel in sports and other physical activities. But don't be surprised when they suddenly become tired, moody, or change interests day-to-day.
How long does puberty last? In girls, puberty usually begins between the ages of 9 and 14. Once it begins, it lasts about 2 to 5 years.
A breast bud is a lump that develops under the nipple in the first stage of breast growth. The lump may be tender and sore, but it is completely normal in girls undergoing puberty. However, if your child is under eight years old and developing breast buds, she may be experiencing precocious puberty.
When do periods start? Most young people will have their first periods when they're between 11 and 14½, but anywhere from 9-16 years is considered normal. Periods are likely to start soon if your child has: had a major growth spurt.
Girls who drink more sugary beverages start their periods earlier than girls who consume fewer. That's the finding of a new study, and it suggests that this consumption is somehow linked to the onset of puberty. The association remained even once the girls' weight and height had been controlled for.
Most cases of early puberty cannot be prevented. Limiting your child's exposure to reproductive hormones from outside sources may prevent precocious puberty. These sources may include estrogen or testosterone creams, lotions, or other medications.
Median age of development of hair in the scrotal area was 4.5 months (range, 3 to 7 months). Median age at presentation was 7 months (range, 4 to 10 months). On clinical examination, all 9 infants had more than 10 long pigmented hairs on the scrotum, except for 1 infant who had only 5 dark hairs.