sexual precocity

Precocious puberty is the abnormally early onset of sexual development. In girls, this is defined as menstruation before age 8, and in boys, sexual development before age 9. True precocious puberty involves normal pubertal development at an unusually early age, sometimes as early as age 2.1

In girls, this can lead to ovulation and the potential for pregnancy, as well as accelerated skeletal growth that results in eventual short stature due to premature epiphyseal closure. While often idiopathic (cause unknown), it can stem from abnormalities in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. Treatment aims to manage psychological and social development and prevent short stature, often using GnRH derivatives to suppress hormone secretion.1

In boys, true precocious puberty involves premature activation of the pituitary-testes axis, leading to virilization and growth acceleration, but paradoxically, also short stature. Causes can include brain tumors or other brain disorders, though it can also be idiopathic. Treatment with GnRH derivatives is also used for boys.1

Pseudoprecocious puberty involves the development of secondary sexual characteristics without the production of sperm or ova, and it can occur in both sexes. This is typically caused by tumors or other conditions that lead to the autonomous production of sex hormones.12