Precocious Pseudopuberty Treatment & Management

  • Author: Robert J Ferry Jr, MD; Chief Editor: Stephen Kemp, MD, PhD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 30, 2012
 

Medical Care

Available treatment options depend on the underlying etiology of the precocious pseudopuberty.

  • The initial evaluation can usually be performed on an outpatient basis. However, inpatient studies and surgical treatment may be required.
  • Medical and surgical therapies are directed at treatment of the underlying cause of precocious puberty. The therapies are designed to minimize both the short-term and the long-term morbidity and mortality of precocious puberty.
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Surgical Care

  • If the patient has a tumor that is causing the precocious puberty, consult the appropriate surgeon.
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Consultations

  • Pediatric endocrinologist: Pediatric endocrinologists may be invaluable in the diagnosis of precocious puberty, as well as in the treatment and follow-up care for the patient.
  • Pediatric hematologist and oncologist (if supported by the diagnosis): In the case of malignancy leading to the sexual precocity, the oncologist needs to be involved for possible chemotherapy.
  • Surgeon: In the case of malignancy, surgical subspecialists need to be consulted. Recommendation for clitoral reduction in virilized females is controversial at the present time.
  • Pediatric urologist: A urologist may be needed for patients with testicular tumors.
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Diet

  • No special diet is required.
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Activity

  • No restrictions on activity are necessary.
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Proceed to Medication
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Robert J Ferry Jr, MD  Le Bonheur Chair of Excellence in Endocrinology, Professor and Chief, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Robert J Ferry Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Diabetes Association, American Medical Association, Endocrine Society, Pediatric Endocrine Society, Society for Pediatric Research, and Texas Pediatric Society

Disclosure: Eli Lilly & Co Grant/research funds Investigator; MacroGenics, Inc Grant/research funds Investigator; Ipsen, SA (formerly Tercica, Inc) Grant/research funds Investigator; NovoNordisk SA Grant/research funds Investigator; Diamyd Grant/research funds Investigator; Bristol-Myers-Squibb Grant/research funds Other; Amylin Other; Pfizer Grant/research funds Other; Takeda Grant/research funds Other

Coauthor(s)

Cydney L Fenton, MD  Director, Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology, Akron Children's Hospital

Cydney L Fenton, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Diabetes Association, Endocrine Society, and Pediatric Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Merrily P M Poth, MD  Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Merrily P M Poth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Endocrine Society, and Pediatric Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Phyllis W Speiser, MD  Chief, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York; Professor of Pediatrics, Hofstra-North Shore LIJ School of Medicine at Hofstra University

Phyllis W Speiser, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, Endocrine Society, Pediatric Endocrine Society, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Lynne Lipton Levitsky, MD  Chief, Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital; Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School

Lynne Lipton Levitsky, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Diabetes Association, American Pediatric Society, Endocrine Society, Pediatric Endocrine Society, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Pfizer Grant/research funds P.I.; Tercica Grant/research funds Other; Eli Lily Grant/research funds PI; NovoNordisk Grant/research funds PI; NovoNordisk Consulting fee Consulting; Onyx Heart Valve Consulting fee Consulting

Merrily P M Poth, MD  Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Merrily P M Poth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Endocrine Society, and Pediatric Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Stephen Kemp, MD, PhD  Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine, Arkansas Children's Hospital

Stephen Kemp, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American Pediatric Society, Endocrine Society, Phi Beta Kappa, Southern Medical Association, and Southern Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Graph represents the prevalence of breast development at Tanner stage 2 or greater by age and race.
Graph represents the prevalence of pubic hair at Tanner stage 2 or greater by age and race.
 
 
 
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