Sexual precocity in girls. An association with sexual abuse?
The development of secondary sexual characteristics before 8 years of age in girls is uncommon and little is known of its epidemiology. In a retrospective study of a population of 105 girls 10 years old and younger who were victims of confirmed or suspected sexual abuse, we found a one in 15 prevalence of early development (before 8 years of age) of one or more secondary sexual characteristics. We speculate on possible associations between early development of secondary sexual characteristics and sexual abuse. The data suggest that further research explore this possible association.
Herman-Giddens
M E
ME
Child Protection Team, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
Sandler
A D
AD
Friedman
N E
NE
D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003075:Coitus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012727:Sex Characteristics