Pediatrics (adolescence)
Adolescence begins when your child’s body begins to produce high amounts of certain hormones, which can lead to physical and mental changes. In girls, changes include breast development, pubic hair growth, growth and finally the onset of menstruation. In boys, the changes include an increase in testicular size and thickening of the scrotum pubic hair growth, a change and increase in voice.
Children grow and develop at different rates, and the normal onset of puberty is between 10 and 13 years.
Adolescent problems come when these processes and changes in your child’s development do not occur at the normal time. These problems may include:>
- Delayed puberty, in which breast and pubic hair development does not begin at age 13 in girls and no pubic hair after 14 years in boys.
- Early puberty, in which puberty begins much earlier – before 8 years in girls and 9 years in boys.
- Development of contraceptive puberty, in which females develop male characteristics
- By premature ejaculation, when a girl experiences breast development without other signs of puberty.
- By premature adrenal, when pubic hair appears without other signs of puberty
Treatment
If your pediatrician finds a problem with the onset or progression of his / her puberty, treatment will depend on the symptoms and the root cause of the problems.
Treatment may include:
- Inspection by regular check-ups
- Hormone therapy
- Surgery to correct anatomical problems
- Counseling to help your child – and your family – with the social and emotional challenges of late or early adolescence.