Overview of Anatomy and Physiology near the kidneys) produce pubic and axillary hair female and male hormones at an earlier than increase in pubic hair and testicular development at the time of puberty. usual time. In other cases, signs of puberty occur as well as acne. These effects are only The Pituitary Gland prematurely because of abnormalities in the temporary and should be controlled by the The pituitary gland, which is often referred to as Estrogen: A female sex hormone, which is ovaries, testicles, pituitary, or adrenal glands. seventh week of treatment. Other side effects the “master gland”, regulates the release of most responsible for breast development in girls. It is your child may experience include redness and of the body’s hormones (chemical messengers made mainly by the ovaries, but is also present in Tests are usually necessary to determine whether slight pain at the injection site. Rarely, a sterile that send information to different parts of the boys in smaller amounts. the cause of precocious puberty is in the brain or abscess may occur. Use of a filter needle to body). It is a pea-sized gland that is located in another area of the body. reconstitute the depot form of the analog will help Sex Hormones: Responsible for the underneath the brain. The pituitary gland controls prevent this. development of pubertal signs as well as changes the release of thyroid, adrenal, growth and sex Treatment in behavior and the ability to have children. hormones. The hypothalamus, located in the If your child’s doctor determines that treatment is Follow-up Clinic Visits brain above the pituitary gland, regulates the necessary, your child may receive a medication It will be important for your child to be seen every Precocious Puberty release of hormones from the pituitary gland. (analog or modified form of GnRH). The goals of 3 to 6 months. This will allow the doctor ensure Precocious Puberty means having signs of treatment with this drug are to temporarily stop that your child's puberty is appropriately puberty (e.g., pubic hair or breast/ testicular Hormones puberty and to decrease the rate of bone suppressed. Your child’s height will be measured enlargement) at an earlier age than usual (prior to Chemical messengers that carry information from maturation. Rapid bone maturation will cause in order to determine his or her growth rate. If age 8 in girls and age 9 in boys). one cell to another in the body. Hormones are your child’s adult height to be shorter than his/her treatment is successful, your child’s growth rate carried throughout the body by the blood and are potential height. After the first couple of months should decrease. A physical exam will be done at Normal Puberty responsible for regulating many body functions. of treatment, your child’s rapid growth should each visit to evaluate development, and a bone There is a wide range of ages at which The body makes many hormones (e.g., thyroid, slow, and his or her pubertal stage will remain the age X-ray will be done at least once a year. individuals normally start puberty. Girls usually growth, sex and adrenal hormones) that work same or possibly regress. Many children are too Hormone levels occasionally need to be checked. develop breasts and then pubic hair between the together to maintain normal bodily function. young to deal with the psychological aspects of ages of 8 and 13 years. Menstrual periods early puberty, and by stopping further advances, Social Concerns typically start at 12 to 13 years of age. Girls will Hormones involved in the control of puberty: your child may feel more like his or her friends. Due to early puberty, your child may be taller than often experience moodiness and become more other children of his/her age. It is important to irritable during puberty. GnRH : Gonadotropin releasing hormone, which GnRH analogs are given by injection every 3 or 4 treat children according to their actual age rather comes from the hypothalamus and controls the weeks or as an implant surgically inserted in the than their size or apparent age, since children Boys normally develop testicular enlargement and release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle inner upper arm every 12 months . If your child tend to develop self-esteem and behave then pubic hair between the ages of 9 and 14 stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary receives the medication once a month, your local according to how they are treated. Parents of years. Underarm and facial hair, as well as gland. physician or a visiting nurse will most likely give children with precocious puberty should remind deepening of the voice, typically occurs between the injection; in some cases, you may be trained teachers, relatives, and friends about this the ages of 13 and 16 years. LH : Luteinizing hormone, a pituitary hormone that to administer the injection at home if you prefer. important relationship. in conjunction with FSH stimulates male/female Your child will receive medication until it is Your child may be taller than the other children in sex hormone production in the testicles/ovaries. appropriate for puberty to resume. Research to Your child may feel embarrassed by the physical his/her class. This is because the hormones that date indicates that when treatment is stopped, effects of puberty. All children want to look and FSH: Follicle stimulating hormone, a pituitary increase at the time of puberty also cause a spurt puberty should resume and advance normally. act like their friends. It is helpful to emphasize to hormone that in conjunction with LH stimulates in growth. your child that all girls and boys normally sperm/egg development. Possible Treatment Side Effects experience puberty, but in his or her case, it has Causes of Precocious Puberty During the first 6 weeks of treatment, your child occurred sooner than usual. It is important to tell Testosterone: A male sex hormone (an In the majority of cases of precocious puberty, the may experience the following side-effects: Girls your child that the changes in his/her body are androgen), which is made by the testicles in boys. cause is unknown. In some instances, the may have mood changes, acne, an increase in normal. Your child should be allowed to It is also present in smaller amounts in girls. pituitary signals the ovaries and testicles to make Other androgens from the adrenal glands (located breast size, and menses. Boys may have an participate in his/her usual activities, which may include spending the night with a friend, athletics and extracurricular activities. Encourage your Precocious child to discuss with you worries that he/she may Precocious Major be having. Puberty

Questions Many Parents Have Puberty Q. How should I explain this disorder to my child? A spects of A. Your child may have several questions regarding early puberty and its treatment. It is often helpful to reassure your child that the pubertal changes in his/her body are normal, and G rowth that most individuals will eventually have these M changes, but that in his/her body they happened Contributing Author: sooner than usual. MAGIC I n The Foundation® Q. What should we tell friends and relatives? Brian Bordini, M.D. For Children’s Growth

A. It is not necessary to tell anyone about your Pediatric Endocrinology child’s problem; if, however, they ask about the problem and you wish to discuss this with them, C NorthShore University Health System hildren Not an illusion or magical, explain that your child is perfectly normal but has started puberty at an earlier than normal age. If Skokie, Illinois But the caring for children your child is receiving injections or the imlant, you and their families The MAGIC Foundation is a national can explain that they are given to temporarily stop nonprofit organization created to provide * * * * puberty, which assists these children in achieving support services for the families of children Dedicated to the growth an acceptable adult height. afflicted with a wide variety of chronic and/or critical disorders, syndromes and And overall development Q. What will my child’s final adult height be? of children This brochure is for informational diseases that affect a child’s growth. Some A. Final adult height depends on multiple factors. purposes only. Neither The MAGIC of the diagnoses are quite common while Parental heights play a significant role in the Foundation nor the contributing physician others are very rare. height of a child. The relationship between bone assumes any liability for its content. age and chronological age is also important since Consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment. MAGIC 4200 Cantera Drive excessive skeletal maturation for age provides less time for growth. If puberty was detected at Continues and develops through membership Suite 106 an early stage, then your child will have a better fees, corporate sponsorship, private Warrenville, IL 60555 chance of reaching his/her expected height. If, donations and fundraising. 630-836-8200/fax 630-836-8181 however, puberty was detected at a later stage, 800-3 MAGIC 3 then his/her bones will be more advanced, and “Children have a short time to grow and a www.magicfoundation.org this will limit the time remaining for growth and, REVISED 2.2017 lifetime to live with the results” ® therefore, final adult height.