Early Puberty in Kids
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Signs
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Signs of puberty include acne, body odor, pubic or underarm hair, rapid height increase; breast development or menstruation in girls; and voice deepening, facial hair, or enlargement of penis or testes in boys.
Cause
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For most girls, early puberty is unexplained and is not due to a medical condition. It's more likely to be caused by a health problem in boys.
Effects
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Precocious puberty may prevent children from reaching their full height potential. Changing bodies can also result in social embarrassment and teasing.
Diagnosis
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If you suspect precocious puberty in your child, a doctor can do a physical examination as well as perform urine or blood tests to check for elevated levels of sex hormones.
Treatment
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Treatment may include correction of an underlying problem or medication to lower levels of sex hormones and stop further development.
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