Treatment Stories

Precision Care for Precocious Puberty

Tuntun Children's Hospital is here for every step of your baby's growth journey.

Pediatric Nephrology

What is Precocious Puberty?

Precocious puberty occurs when a child's body begins showing signs of puberty earlier than the normal age range.
If signs of puberty appear earlier than the normal timing
Early onsetIt refers to a condition where...
If puberty starts too early,

  • the growth plates close early,
  • and although the growth rate may seem fast,
  • the final adult height can actually be shorter.

In the diagnosis and treatment of precocious puberty, what is most important is not the fact of 'earliness' itself,
but accurately determining whether it is actually progressing.
Tuntun Children's Hospital precisely evaluates the child's growth rate and direction,
and proceeds to the next steps only when necessary.

Why Early Evaluation Matters
Reasons why early treatment is important

  • Growth plates, once closed, do not reopen.
  • In the early stages, external changes are subtle and easily missed.

If accurately evaluated early, many cases are sufficient with observation alone, without treatment.
Therefore, in the management of precocious puberty, accurate diagnosis takes precedence over rapid treatment.

Precocious Puberty's Main Symptoms

While symptoms vary from child to child, you may notice the following changes:
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Breast development earlier than peers, sudden and rapid increases in height, changes in body odor, acne, early onset of menstruation (menarche), vaginal discharge, or the appearance of pubic or underarm hair.
Breast development occurring earlier than peers
Sudden rapid increase in height
Changes in body odor, occurrence of acne
Onset of menarche (first menstruation)
Occurrence of vaginal discharge, etc.
Growth of hair in the genital area or armpits
Early enlargement of testicles or penis, rapid growth spurts compared to peers, increased body hair, a deepening voice, acne, or experiencing erections and wet dreams.
Rapid development of testicles or penis
Rapid growth compared to peers
Increased body hair, voice changes, occurrence of acne
Experiencing erections, nocturnal emissions (wet dreams), etc.
※ It is necessary to differentiate from simple body size differences or temporary changes.

Our Precision Diagnostic Approach
A pediatric growth evaluation is not a simple comparison of height or growth speed.

Precise examination for precocious puberty is not a process for performing many tests,
but a step-by-step evaluation process to carefully determine whether treatment is necessary.
We do not perform the same tests on every child,
and we determine the next steps based on test results.

  • We start with the most basic tests.
  • We never proceed to advanced testing unless medically necessary.
  • We comprehensively interpret various test results.

Diagnostic Workflow

Here is how we evaluate your baby's condition:

STEP 01: Determining the Need for Further Testing

Through growth plate test results, we first confirm whether the child's bone age
is progressing faster than their chronological age.

If within the normal range for their peers:

→ We observe and monitor without additional testing.

If advancing rapidly:

→ Proceed to the next testing stage

STEP 02: Initial Precision Assessment (Blood Tests & Ultrasound)

We conduct blood tests and ultrasound scans together to comprehensively confirm changes related to growth or puberty progression.
This is the stage where we comprehensively confirm related changes.

Blood Test

Evaluate growth and puberty-related hormone levels,
Hormone status and
and nutritional status.

Ultrasound Imaging

Growth and development
and physical development
Confirmation

No clear abnormalities detected

→ We recommend continued observation without medical treatment.

If further evaluation is needed:

→ We conduct a comprehensive clinical review to confirm if puberty is actively progressing.

Diagnostic test results Interpretation Criteria

The diagnosis and treatment decision for precocious puberty
are not determined by a single test result.
Treatment is considered only when the following conditions are confirmed together:

  • 1

    Rapid growth plate progression

  • 2

    Evidence of active pubertal hormones

  • 3

    When actual development is judged to be ongoing

Precocious Puberty Treatment Guide

Precocious puberty treatment is not necessary for all children.
When there is a possibility of affecting the child's growth prognosis,
we make a cautious decision after thorough explanation with the guardian.

Precocious Puberty
What is Injection Treatment?
  • Precocious puberty injection treatment temporarily regulates excessively accelerated pubertal signals to prevent the growth plates from closing too early,
    and is a treatment aimed at preserving the child's final height and growth potential.
  • Regulates excessive secretion of pubertal hormones
  • Plays a role in slowing down the rate of growth plate exhaustion
  • Normal pubertal progression possible after discontinuing treatment
  • It is not a treatment to eliminate puberty, but one to regulate its speed.
Recommended
Children
  • When growth plate progression is rapidly advanced
  • When there is clear evidence of active pubertal hormones
  • When a decrease in final height is expected if this state persists
  • Treatment is not determined solely by tall stature or test values.
Injection Treatment
Process Information
  • Injection therapy is administered at regular intervals.
  • The treatment cycle and duration are individually determined based on the child's condition.
  • During treatment, growth velocity, growth plate changes, and overall condition are regularly assessed.
  • Injection therapy is administered only for the necessary duration.
  • We determine the timing of treatment discontinuation together, observing the child's growth progress, and normal pubertal progression resumes after discontinuation.
To Parents/Guardians
A Message
  • In the diagnosis and treatment of precocious puberty, the most important thing is not 'quick treatment' but 'accurate judgment'.
  • Based on test results, observation without treatment is often sufficient, and follow-up observation is also an important part of treatment.
  • Based on precise evaluations, Tuntun Children's Hospital proposes only the most essential diagnoses and treatments for your child.