title: Normal onset of puberty have definitions of onset changed?
abstract: Puberty is the sequence of events that culminates in the ability to procreate. It is widely accepted that the onset of puberty in girls occurs on average at 8 years of age and that onset prior to 8 years of age is precocious puberty. As a result of the cross-sectional study by the American Association of Pediatrics, a movement exists to change the age limit of the onset of puberty to 6 years of age in black girls and 7 years of age in white girls. We should be cautious in adhering to strict age limits when diagnosing precocious puberty. Also the rapidity and progression of puberty should be evaluated, and if appropriate, therapy to suppress pubertal development considered.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA. slalwani@caregroup.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Sasmira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lalwani
authors.forename: Richard H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Reindollar
authors.forename: Ann J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000375:Aging; D001846:Bone Development; D001940:Breast / Q000254:growth & development; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008572:Menarche; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values