| − | '''Precocious puberty''' is [[puberty]] starting before the normal age (generally 10-11 in females and 11-12 in males, though beginning of puberty varies). ICD-9 defines it as "unusually early sexual maturity".<ref>http://www.icd9data.com/2015/Volume1/240-279/249-259/259/259.1.htm</ref> Generally, it is normal in every respect except the timing. In a minority of children, the early development is triggered by a disease such as a [[tumor]] of the [[Human brain|brain]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/sexual/precocious.html#|title=Precocious Puberty|publisher=KidsHealth|accessdate=2013-09-09}}</ref> Even if is no disease, unusually early puberty can have adverse effects on social behavior and psychological development, can reduce adult [[human height|height]] potential, and may cause lifelong health risks. Precocious puberty can be treated by suppressing the [[pituitary]] [[hormone]]s that induce [[sex steroid]] production. If the problem is linked to the hypothalamus or pituitary it is called central precocious puberty. This is also called complete or true precocious puberty. <ref>David Gardner, Dolores Shoback. Basic And Clinical Endocrinology. McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. 9th Edition. Pg. 550</ref> Puberty begun for reasons unrelated to the hypothalamus or pituitary is called pseudo-precocious puberty.Causes of precocious puberty include damage to the inhibitory system of the brain, a non-cancerous tumor called hypothalamic hamartoma producing excessive GNRH, a hormone, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, and McCune-Albright syndrome. McCune-Albright syndrome also can cause pseudo-precocious puberty. Cell tumors and gonadal tumors can also cause pseudo-precocious puberty. Girls who are not physically active and are obese are more likely to physically mature earlier. <ref>Kaplowitz,
| + | '''Precocious puberty''' is [[puberty]] starting before the normal age (generally 10-11 in females and 11-12 in males, though beginning of puberty varies). ICD-9 defines it as "unusually early sexual maturity".<ref>http://www.icd9data.com/2015/Volume1/240-279/249-259/259/259.1.htm</ref> Generally, it is normal in every respect except the timing. In a minority of children, the early development is triggered by a disease such as a [[tumor]] of the [[Human brain|brain]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/sexual/precocious.html#|title=Precocious Puberty|publisher=KidsHealth|accessdate=2013-09-09}}</ref> Even if is no disease, unusually early puberty can have adverse effects on social behavior and psychological development, can reduce adult [[human height|height]] potential, and may cause lifelong health risks. Precocious puberty can be treated by suppressing the [[pituitary]] [[hormone]]s that induce [[sex steroid]] production. If the problem is linked to the hypothalamus or pituitary it is called central precocious puberty. This is also called complete or true precocious puberty. <ref>David Gardner, Dolores Shoback. Basic And Clinical Endocrinology. McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. 9th Edition. Pg. 550</ref> Puberty begun for reasons unrelated to the hypothalamus or pituitary is called pseudo-precocious puberty.Causes of precocious puberty include damage to the inhibitory system of the brain, a non-cancerous tumor called hypothalamic hamartoma producing excessive GNRH, a hormone, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, and McCune-Albright syndrome. McCune-Albright syndrome also can cause pseudo-precocious puberty. Cell tumors and gonadal tumors can also cause pseudo-precocious puberty. Girls who are not physically active and are obese are more likely to physically mature earlier. <ref>Kaplowitz, |
| | P. B.; Slora, E. J.; Wasserman, R. C.; Pedlow, S. E.; Herman-Giddens, M. | | P. B.; Slora, E. J.; Wasserman, R. C.; Pedlow, S. E.; Herman-Giddens, M. |