Review article
https://doi.org/10.26800/LV-145-supl5-19
Precocious puberty – Are children maturing more rapidly?
Nevena Krnić
orcid.org/0000-0002-0108-5881
; Medicinski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu i Klinika za pedijatriju, KBC Zagreb
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Suspected precocious puberty is a frequent reason for parental concern and examination of children. Therefore, it is mandatory to recognize and distinguish between physiological pubertal development, benign variants of puberty and precocious puberty. Precocious puberty is characterized with the development of secondary sexual characteristics before the age of 8 years in girls and before the age of 9 years in boys. It can be central or peripheral. Central precocious puberty is more common in girls and is most often idiopathic, but it can also be
caused by various diseases of the central nervous system, which are more common in boys, or rarely by genetic disorders. Peripheral precocious puberty is less common, and it can result from congenital disorders, acquired diseases or exogenous use of hormones. Several environmental factors are associated with an increased frequency of precocious puberty, among which the recent COVID-19 pandemic is recognized as one of the stimuli. The evaluation of the child with precocious puberty should be stepwise and targeted, to prevent overdiagnosis. Central precocious puberty should be treated in children in whom the progression of puberty may compromise adult height or in whom pubertal development has a negative psychosocial effect. Premature puberty is associated with various chronic diseases; therefore, it is important to stimulate preventive measures, to reduce the risk of its development.
Keywords
PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY, PREMATURE ADRENARCHE, PREMATURE TELARCHE, GnRH AGONISTS
Hrčak ID:
309084
URI
Publication date:
10.10.2023.
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