A four-year-old girl’s behavior of touching her private areas with her hands, or rubbing against fluffy toys as if in an adult sexual position, might be an early sign of psychological development.

My daughter is in fourth grade this year, and last year I started to notice that her chest has developed significantly, and she has also started to grow some pubic hair, and her weight has increased. I am very worried about her early puberty condition.

Discuss the signs of early puberty in children and provide parents with appropriate guidance and suggestions.

Understand the typical symptoms of early puberty in boys, including the growth of facial hair, development of genitals, appearance of Adam’s apple, and changes in voice.

The main characteristics of male early puberty include enlarged testicles and penises, changes in secondary sexual characteristics, and the appearance of pubic hair, deepening voice, and muscle development. In addition, early puberty may also be accompanied by accelerated growth and bone maturation, which may ultimately lead to a final height lower than expected. In some cases, if accompanied by intracranial tumors or other central nervous system diseases, symptoms such as headaches, dry vomiting, changes in vision, or other neurological symptoms and signs may also occur.

Boys experiencing early puberty before the age of 9 may exhibit symptoms such as shrinkage and darkening of the scrotum, enlargement of the penis, followed by the growth of pubic and armpit hair, and eventually the appearance of a Adam’s apple and a change in voice. However, if these changes occur before the age of 9, they may be signs of early puberty.

Girls who develop secondary sexual characteristics before the age of 8 or start menstruating before 10 years old can be diagnosed with early puberty. It is recommended to consult the pediatric endocrinology department of a children’s hospital, and a health check-up is needed to rule out diseases as a possible cause.

A 9-year-old girl has been diagnosed with early puberty. How should this be handled?

The symptoms of early puberty in boys include accelerated growth and development, enlarged testicles, and the appearance of facial hair.

Abnormal growth and development in early puberty can be improved through medication suppression and rehabilitation training.