My 6-year-old daughter is undergoing tests at our local
hospital to see if she's in puberty. How can this be happening
so early?
-
Joy
Puberty, the time when kids develop physically and emotionally
into young adults, usually begins around 8 to 14 years of age. But
for some kids it can happen much earlier. The medical term for this
early development is precocious puberty. Going through puberty
early can be difficult on any child emotionally and socially, but
can be even more difficult if that child is too young to understand
what's happening.
Precocious puberty might be the result of a problem in the brain
or a hormonal imbalance, but more often there's no specific
underlying health issue. Some kids just have an early timer.
A doctor who specializes in early puberty can help distinguish
between normal early development and a medical issue, and can help
with treatment if it is needed.
For more information, check out these articles:
Precocious Puberty
Talking to Your Child About Puberty
Understanding Puberty
Reviewed by:
Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: February 2009
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