"If a 3rd Grader Grows 10cm in a Year, Suspect Precocious Puberty"

Southeast Regional Radiation Medical Center "Precocious Puberty Patients Increased 1.8 Times in 5 Years... Early Screening and Treatment Needed"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] "If an elementary school lower-grade child suddenly grows 10 cm in a year, they should be tested to see if it is precocious puberty."

In recent years, the number of precocious puberty cases among adolescents has surged, and it is pointed out that parental attention and immediate consultation and treatment are necessary if suspected.

According to the Southeast Regional Radiation Medical Center under the Ministry of Science and ICT on the 3rd, as of 2020, the number of precocious puberty patients increased about 1.8 times compared to five years ago.

Regarding the relationship between puberty process and growth, in girls, the rapid growth phase begins from Tanner stage 2 when breast buds are palpable, and menarche occurs 2-3 years later. After menarche, the rapid growth phase is almost over, and the growth plates close within about two years. The rapid growth phase usually appears between ages 10 and 12.

In boys, puberty begins at Tanner stage 2 when testicular diameter exceeds 3 cm, usually appearing between ages 10 and 13. The rapid growth phase occurs about two years later than in girls, around ages 13 to 14, and at Tanner stage 4, pubic hair also appears.

The criteria for precocious puberty are breast buds palpable before age 8 in girls and testicular diameter over 2.5 cm before age 9 in boys. Precocious puberty can be caused by genetic abnormalities, brain lesions, reproductive system tumors, etc., but in girls, 90% are idiopathic with unknown causes and only an earlier onset of puberty, occurring 5 to 10 times more frequently than in boys. Boys have a lower incidence, and central nervous system abnormalities are common, so additional evaluation is necessary.

Diagnosis of precocious puberty involves a blood test lasting about two hours for gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test, hand X-ray to check bone age, and additional imaging tests if needed.

Treatment for precocious puberty involves injections of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists every four weeks for about two years. Although there is anxiety that height may not increase further during treatment, if the injections are stopped, puberty progresses again with rapid growth. Also, the timing of menarche can be delayed by about two years, so although individual differences exist, it can ultimately extend the growth period and help growth.

Stopping the injections does not cause disorders in normal puberty or reproductive function and has no special side effects. If one wants to grow taller, combining precocious puberty treatment injections with growth hormone injections is also an option.

Dr. Park Kyung-mi, head of the Pediatrics and Adolescents Department at the Southeast Regional Radiation Medical Center, said, "There are age criteria set by health insurance for diagnosis and treatment of precocious puberty, so if precocious puberty is suspected, girls should visit the hospital about a month before age 9, and boys before age 10, allowing some time. Unlike puberty symptoms, pubic hair, axillary hair, body odor, and pseudogynecomastia may be unrelated to precocious puberty, so it is necessary to see a pediatrician for accurate examination and diagnosis."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.