Question

How should early puberty be managed?

Answer

When a child shows signs of early puberty, it is important to take them to the hospital for a check-up and receive systematic and regular treatment. Parents should also pay attention to diet, sleep, exercise, and treatment:

  1. Diet: Nowadays, children who are undernourished and become short are rare. Instead, overnutrition is more common, which is one of the main reasons for the increasing incidence of early puberty. For both short and early puberty children, a balanced diet is recommended, with a reasonable mix of meat and vegetables, and a balanced intake of coarse and fine grains. Some parents limit their children’s diet too much after discovering early puberty, which is also not good. Since it is a period of growth and development, basic nutrients still need to be ensured. It is suggested that they drink 1 to 2 bags of milk and have one egg daily, while other meats should be appropriately limited.
  2. Sleep: Since growth hormone is the main hormone responsible for human growth, the secretion of growth hormone mainly occurs during deep sleep. Therefore, ensuring sufficient sleep is also very important.
  3. Exercise: Since exercise is also a way to promote the secretion of growth hormone, appropriate exercise is beneficial for growth regardless of treatment. Aerobic exercises are beneficial for growth.
  4. Treatment: The vast majority of early puberty cases can be cured, but early detection and timely treatment of early puberty are very important. Timely and effective treatment not only prevents further development of secondary sexual characteristics but can also reverse existing secondary sexual characteristics, allowing the child to achieve a normal psychological state and the expected adult height.