VietNamNet Bridge – The Central Pediatrics Hospital in Hanoi has received more children with symptoms of precocious puberty.

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VietNamNet Bridge – The Central Pediatrics Hospital in Hanoi has received more children with symptoms of precocious puberty.

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Normally, the puberty period takes place for several years, from 8-13 years old for girls and from 9-14 years old for boys. If signs of puberty appear before 8 for girls and 9 for boys, it is called precocious puberty.

This disease was not popular in Vietnam before, affecting only 4-5 out of every 100 kids. Today however, even kids as young as three years old suffer from the condition.

In a minority of cases, a disease such as a tumor or injury of the brain triggers early development. Even in instances where there is no disease, unusually early puberty can have adverse effects on social behavior and psychological development, can reduce adult height potential, and may shift some life-long health risks. Suppressing the pituitary hormones that induce production of sexual functions can treat precocious puberty.

The Central Pediatrics Hospital is treating over 200 kids with precocious puberty, with signs of puberty appearing before five years old in some cases.

“Social development and improved living standards promote children’s early development of psychophysiology, so puberty is also more precocious. Vietnam doesn’t have specific statistics about this, but national surveys on teens in 2004 and 2009 showed this change,” doctor Dung said.

In 2004, the survey’s average age for having a period for the first time was 14.5. In 2009, the average age fell to 14.21. The average age for the first wet dream for boys also decreased from 15.6 to 15.52 years old.

Vietnam does not have any research on the influences lifestyle has on precocious puberty. According to international research, precocious puberty may result from the widespread popularity of chemicals, cosmetics, and substances from environmental pollution, all of which are called “endocrine disruptors.”

Doctors also said that watching television or using computers often can speed up puberty. Fast cooking, nutritious food, violence, and sexual images on TV also contribute to precocious puberty.

PV