Causes of Precocious Puberty in Girls

Precocious puberty refers to the onset of secondary sexual characteristics before age 8, including breast development, axillary hair growth, and rapid weight gain. Girls exhibiting these signs should be promptly taken to a hospital for further evaluation, including cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), bone age assessment, and growth hormone testing. These tests help determine whether the condition is true (central) precocious puberty or pseudo-precocious puberty, enabling targeted treatment based on the underlying cause. Pseudo-precocious puberty may result from accidental ingestion of contraceptive pills. In cases of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, treatment should be undertaken under the guidance of a physician.