Patient's question:
My daughter's breast development has begun, and there is white discharge in the genital area. Her appetite is average, and her spirits are still okay. There haven't been significant changes in her height, weight, urination, defecation, or sleep. I noticed her breasts are slightly swollen, and there's a hard lump in her left breast, which causes pain when pressed. Recently, she has been growing rapidly, and the doctor suspects it might be precocious puberty. I'm very worried.Doctor's answer:
It is generally believed that girls begin breast development before the age of 8 and experience menarche before the age of 10. Boys develop secondary sexual characteristics before the age of 9, accompanied by accelerated physical growth. This is referred to as precocious puberty. Using certain medications to treat pediatric precocious puberty often leads to other consequences. For example, progesterone derivatives can repeatedly suppress the pituitary's production of sex hormones, which can delay the onset of menstruation. However, they have little effect on delaying bone growth and development. It is generally recommended not to give children hormone-containing foods or snacks, as these are important factors contributing to early maturation.