Effects of Precocious Puberty on Development

Effects of Precocious Puberty on Development One of the process that typically begins in late childhood, before the onset of adolescence is puberty. Puberty is characterized by the appearance of secondary sex characteristics; growth in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and gonadal glands; a significant increase in growth; secretion of testosterone in boys; and also the capacity of fertility. Puberty often begins between 10-13 years of age depending on gender. However, there are cases in which a variety of factors may cause an individual to begin puberty before the age of eight years in boys, or the onset of menarche in girls before the age of nine (Cesario & Hughes, 2007). Early maturation and onset of puberty can cause many psychological and developmental complications for children at such a young age. For example, a girl who may physically mature early may have to deal with schoolmates teasing her for breast development and other secondary sex characteristics. The early onset of puberty does not have a single cause. It can be caused by a variety of factors, or even a combination of multiple factors. One of the factors that may be involved is a genetic mutation in a Lutropin Hormone receptor gene. The mutation in the LH receptor gene results in continuous production of testosterone, which causes early onset of the secondary sex characteristics to begin in young males (Heger, Partsch, and Sippell, 1999). There are many environmental factors that may lead to early maturation, such as the contact and prevalence of toxins and chemicals. Phthalates are used in many plastics and synthetic lubrications to increase their flexibility and fluidity. One study found that high phthalate levels in urine samples were related to early puberty in females. These chemicals caused an increase in estrogenic effects on the body, thus, early maturation and puberty in females and delayed or late onset of puberty in males (Cesario & Hughes, 2007). There are many other environmental and chemical factors that may lead to precocious puberty by causing increased or decreased hormonal activity on the different sex hormones. Children that experience the early onset of puberty are affected by many psychological problems, as well as being at high risk for many behavioral problems as well. Just as depression is often caused by a stressful life event, young females that experience precocious puberty may handle it in the same regard which may lead to a state of depression. The physical changes the girl may experience may lead to a perception of maturity that may lead to situations she may not be emotionally ready to deal with. Eating disorders have also been found linked to early puberty. Early maturing girls often have high body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem which are precursors to disordered eating (Mendle, Turkheimer, & Emery, 2007). Binge eating and restrictive diets may lead to unbalanced hormonal levels that can intensify the early maturation process. The physical maturation also results in females being more attractive to the older males. This leads them into more romantic relationships before they may be emotionally prepared and also at risk for risky sexual behaviors. Girls that mature earlier are twice as likely to contract an STD or become pregnant in teenage years. The stress involved in these factors can increase risk of depression as well (Mendle, Turkheimer, & Emery, 2007). Just as the perception of maturity leads to increased involvement in sexual activities, early puberty also leads to substance use. Substance use is most likely a result of social pressures as they are often socializing with older peers due to their physical maturation (Tschann et al., 1994). Even though individuals are maturing earlier than normally expected, there is not a direct correlation to fatality. However, the risky behaviors that the individuals may perform can eventually lead to near fatal circumstances with things such as substance overdose. According to Cesario and Hughes review of precocious puberty based literature, 1 in 5,000 children are affected by this early onset. As expected, from the explanations above on who is affected by this complication, girls are affected ten times more than boys. The rate of children that have precocious puberty has been increasing and is much higher than when originally studied over thirty years ago (Cesario & Hughes, 2007). When discussing the numerous environmental factors that may lead to precocious puberty, solutions to preventing these factors from causing the complication in children are difficult. Eliminating the use and exposure to the numerous chemicals and products that are discussed by Cesario and Hughes would greatly reduce the onset of early maturation. The effects that occur as a result of the social pressures can often be controlled or prevented by education. Young females that are experiencing early development of secondary sex characteristics are encouraged to meet with the gynecologist where they will have a preliminary health examination as well as receive information on sexual activity, contraception, and STD’s. The informational meeting is encouraged to educate the young females about the risks and consequences of performing such risky behaviors (Cesario & Hughes, 2007). It is hard to say whether the solutions that are being used to prevent the onset of precocious puberty and how it affects the social aspects of the individuals’ life are completely successful or not. There was not a lot of discussion about how well these suggested solutions have worked or how many people applied the suggestions as prevention. I personally believe that the educational meetings to inform the young girls about the risks and consequences would be very effective. However, she must continuously remind herself of the possible consequences when she is placed in a pressure filled situation. As far as the symptoms leading to depression, I would assume that treatment for depression would be a logical solution to prevent and control the affects depression would play on the child’s development. I agree that all of the chemicals and synthetic materials found in our everyday lives play a major role in the early onset of puberty. The way that particular chemicals may be inhaled, absorbed, or eaten in food and how they can attack certain glands within the body would surely lead to some type of complication. Your hormones are used to keep your body functioning and balanced at all times, so inhibiting or over activating particular hormones could lead to health problems. I also think that originally there had to be cases that occurred based on genetic factors. The mutation in specific hormone receptors that were briefly discussed above make perfect sense as to why increased levels of testosterone at an early age in boys would lead to early onset of puberty. Individuals that have to face this issue are socially accepted, or not accepted, based on the individual who perceives them and the current situation. I think that it is definitely easier for boys to be accepted when they mature before their friends. They are typically bigger, faster, stronger, and are considered the tough guy out of their friends. Boys, typically, want to be associated with the “manliest” group because it makes them feel like they are in the same situation. However, for girls it is much harder and more stressful. I personally remember the girls that matured faster that were much taller than their friends and they were often teased for being taller than the boys. Also, like stated in some of the above research, physically matured girls are often sought after by older boys. This can lead to many complications with her friends thinking she does not want to associate with them, or possibly think she is better than them. I do not think that our culture is as accepting of girls being bigger and more physically matured than the boys and it leads to more complications for the girls than the boys. I do not necessarily think that early maturation is a problem. I think that it creates a few tough years for the individual, but if they have a good support system at home and their friends also have a good support system at home teaching them that it is alright for others to grow before them. When all of the individuals get to be in their mid-teenage years, they will all be, essentially, the same physical maturity and these complications and stresses will no longer be a factor in the children’s lives.

References
Cesario, S. K., & Hughes, L. A., (2007). Precocious puberty: a comprehensive review of literature. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 36 (3), 263-274.
Gromoll, J., Partsch, C. J., Simoni, M., Nordhoff, V., Sippell, W. G., Nieschlag E., & Saxena, B. B. (1998). A mutation in the first transmembrane domain of the lutropin receptor causes male precocious puberty. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 83(2), 476-480.
Heger, S., Partsch, C. J., & Sippell, W. G. (1999). Long-term outcome after depot gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment of central precocious puberty: final height, body proportions, body composition, bone mineral density, and reproductive function. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 84(12), 4583-4590.
Mendle, J., Turkheimer, E., & Emery, R. (2007). Detrimental psychological outcomes associated with early pubertal timing in adolescent girls. Dev Rev 27(2), 151-171.
Tschann, J. M., Adler, N. E., Irwin, Jr, C. E., Millstein, S. G., Turner, R. A., & Kegeles, S. M. (1994). Initiation of substance use in early adolescence: the roles of pubertal timing and emotional distress. Health Psychology 13(4), 326-333.