Patient's question:
Daughter is 10 years old. While giving her a bath, I noticed her breasts were hard and swollen, as if she has started developing. How old do girls usually start developing under normal circumstances?Doctor's answer:
Adolescence is the transitional period from childhood to adulthood during which children grow and develop into adults. For females, adolescence generally occurs between the ages of 12 and 18. With the increase in the secretion of gonadal hormones, both male and female sexual organs and sexual functions mature rapidly, with males experiencing ejaculation and females experiencing menarche. In addition to the development of sexual organs, another sign of sexual maturation is the enlargement of the breasts. Breast development during this age stage is earlier than that of peers but is not considered precocious puberty.