Question
A six-and-a-half-year-old boy recently started growing facial hair, which is slightly darker but not very dense. Is this a sign of precocious puberty, or a normal phenomenon?
Answer
According to our country’s clinical guidelines, a boy is considered to have precocious puberty if he exhibits secondary sexual characteristics before the age of nine, such as increased testicular volume, thickening and elongation of the penis, and the appearance of armpit hair, pubic hair, deepening voice, and beard—characteristics of male physique. The mere growth of facial hair is not sufficient to indicate precocious puberty. It is recommended that parents take their child to the hospital for a check-up, where bone age and hormone level tests can be conducted if necessary. If the child does start growing a beard, it is advisable to visit a growth and development specialist promptly for more professional assessment and guidance.