HomeAnswersPediatricsprecocious pubertyWhat are the possible future complications of early puberty?

What will be the future effect of early puberty?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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iCliniq medical review team

Published At October 1, 2016
Reviewed AtAugust 13, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

This is regarding my younger daughter's health and I would like to get a second opinion before I take any decision. My younger daughter was 1 year 6 months old when she came to this new place. Last year, when she was 5 years old we had to do a physical examination for getting admission in the school. During the examination the primary care doctor noticed some abnormal growth in her body like breast buds and asked us to consult a pediatric endocrinologist for further examination. We consulted a pediatric endocrinologist and did a complete examination such as blood test, bone age and brain MRI. The MRI came back normal with no issues, however the bone age showed 8.5 years old. Also, physical development shows Tanner 2 breast development, Tanner 1 pubic hair and scanty axillary hair. Her random LH value was 0.9. The doctor said she is hitting the precocious puberty and needs to be treated. The treatment plan was Lupron or Supprelin. We researched the side effects of Lupron and Supprelin and found like overweight and unconsciousness affects the body in later stage and many mixed answers. We were confused and was not able to discuss with anyone. As this was new to us, we left that moment without proceeding any treatment. Again, this year, we went for another set of examination and the results came up with the bone age as 10.5 years. Actually, she is 6 years old. I am attaching the current results for your reference.

The doctor again said that we need to do treatment and to start with Lupron 30 mg every three months. We are still in a confused state whether to start the treatment. So, we like to have a second opinion. What will happen if we do not treat? Will she end up in less height and growth once she hit puberty? What are the side effects of Lupron? Will you be able to tell us the experience shared with any of your patients? Can this get cured naturally? Is it due to the environment or food habits of my place? If we move to our native, will that environment and food habit cure this? We are totally in a confused state and not able to take a firm decision.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

  1. I would agree with doctors that this is precocious puberty and signs of puberty and bone age progressed since recently (attachment removed to protect patient identity).
  2. I am confused with hormonal results, could it be mistaken that these are entered in a wrong spot, because it looks like the data are opposite. Also, can you attach her previous height, pelvic ultrasound and MRI?
  3. If left untreated, your daughter will get menarche in a year or so, she will stop growing two years after that and end up as shorter adult female than her genetics predicted. The main problem would be psychological since she might start to menstruate in second grade.
  4. Regarding Lupron (Leuprorelin) as every medication could have the side effects, but is used for at least 20 years without concern.
  5. I am not aware of herbal medications. Food as a cause, chicken and meat was blamed and BPA (bisphenol A) in plastics. Place change is not going to cure this in any way.

Differential diagnosis

Estrogen tablets intoxication.

Probable diagnosis

Central precocious puberty.

Treatment plan

Lupron as suggested.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

It was a hard decision and so we decided to discuss and seek a second opinion with other doctors. As you said the hormone results also confused us. When we discussed with our doctor, he said it will go up and down. I am attaching the previous year height and weight along with the hormone results of previous and current year. I have also attached the MRI scan results.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

1. This is really reassuring that her MRI is normal (attachment removed to protect patient identity).

2. Height velocity is not too accelerated. Your daughter was growing just above the 97th percentile, but bone age increased. Bone age progressed 2.5 years in 1 year, which would influence final height.

3. Now, I understood that you have been seeing different doctors and that might also explain different hormone measurements. It looks like pelvic ultrasound has not been ordered.

4. I would say that whatever decision you make, it will not do any harm if the height is not an issue and if she has psychosociological support for entering puberty too early.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Vera Zdravkovic
Dr. Vera Zdravkovic

Endocrinology

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