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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Is my 8 year old too young for puberty?

    Related Topics
    Parenting Parenting Big Kids (5-8) Parenting 'Tweens (9-12)
    My grand daughter of 8 years has strong puberty growth signs, under arm hair, early breast development, and under arm hair.

    She may be losing her childhood.

    Should she be referred to a pediatric endocrinologist?
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  • Women's Health Queensland Wide

    Women's Health Queensland Wide provides free health information for Queensland women. View Profile

    The onset of puberty is normally triggered by the hypothalamus (the area of the brain that helps control pituitary gland function). It signals the pituitary gland (a pea-sized gland near the base of the brain) to release hormones that stimulate the ovaries (in girls) or testicles (in boys) to make sex hormones.
    Sometimes, precocious puberty stems from a structural problem in the brain (such as a tumor), brain injury due to head trauma, an infection (such as meningitis), or a problem in the ovaries or thyroid gland that triggers the onset of puberty ahead of schedule — but this usually isn't the case.
    For the majority of girls, there's no underlying medical problem — they simply start puberty too early for no known reason. However, you may feel reassured if you speak with your GP and if necessary a specialist appointment can be discussed.
    Regards
    Brenda
    Women’s Health Educator
    Health Information Line, Women’s Health Queensland Wide

    Women living in Queensland can also call our Health Information Line - a free information and referral service for Queensland women - on 3839 9988 or 1800 017 676 (toll free outside Brisbane).

    Please note that all health information provided by Women’s Health Queensland Wide is subject to this disclaimer

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