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2018
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Can babies also experience "endocrine disorders"? Pediatric experts remind that the following situations should be taken seriously and medical attention should be sought promptly!
Acne on the face, irregular menstruation, and intermittent irritability are often attributed to "hormonal imbalance" in sub-health conditions. So, can a baby also experience "hormonal imbalance"? The answer is yes. Endocrine diseases mainly refer to metabolic diseases such as diabetes and diseases of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, and gonads. These are significantly related to children's growth, development, maintaining metabolic stability, and coordinating life processes in the body. In "pediatric endocrine diseases," most conditions are precocious puberty, growth retardation, and obesity, with precocious puberty accounting for 70%. What is precocious puberty in children?
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Acne on the face, irregular menstruation, intermittent irritability, and other sub-health conditions are often attributed to "hormonal imbalance." So, can a baby's hormones also be "imbalanced"? The answer is yes.
Endocrine diseases mainly refer to metabolic diseases such as diabetes and diseases of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, and gonads. They are closely related to children's growth, development, maintaining metabolic stability, and coordinating life processes. In "pediatric endocrine diseases," most conditions are precocious puberty, growth retardation, and obesity, with precocious puberty accounting for 70%.
What is precocious puberty in children?
Generally speaking, if a girl shows obvious or progressive breast development before the age of 8, or if a boy shows signs of secondary sexual characteristics such as an Adam's apple or a deepening voice before the age of 9, it should be considered precocious puberty.
Signs of precocious puberty
Research has found that some male infants can have androgen levels reaching the lower limit of adult male levels, with mild testicular enlargement, penile erection, and slight acne on the face, which can last until about six months; female infants can have estradiol levels reaching the lower limit of adult female estrogen levels, and some may show obvious breast development or even bleeding similar to menstruation. This process, resembling puberty, is referred to as "mini puberty" and serves as a "window" for early prediction of precocious puberty.
Parents should pay attention to the following signs:
1. Accelerated growth, height surpassing peers;
3. Breast development in girls, with stains or even blood on underwear from genital secretions.
4. Some children's precocious puberty may be caused by tumors pressing on the hypothalamus and nearby areas, which may lead to persistent headaches, increased thirst and urination, and even vision decline.
It is recommended that parents regularly record their child's height and calculate growth rate. If they notice a sudden acceleration in growth or a growth rate exceeding 6-7 cm per year, they should take the child to see a pediatrician or endocrinologist.
The dangers of precocious puberty
1. The child's growth potential decreases; even if their current height is above that of normal same-age peers, the growth period is shortened, leading to a shorter adult height, which can affect marriage and employment.
2. The child may appear very different from peers, leading to feelings of inferiority and anxiety, which can affect learning and interpersonal relationships.
3. Some cases of precocious puberty may be due to intracranial tumors pressing on the brain or hormone-secreting tumors, which, if not treated in time, can be life-threatening.
4. Research from the National Institutes of Health in the United States has found that girls with precocious puberty have a significantly increased risk of developing breast cancer and uterine cancer later in life.
Methods for checking precocious puberty
Bone age, ultrasound, and hormone tests can all confirm precocious puberty. Additionally, thyroid function should be tested. For girls under 6 years old or those aged 6-8 with rapid progression of central precocious puberty, and for all boys diagnosed with central precocious puberty, routine CT or MRI scans of the head should be conducted to determine if there are any intracranial organic lesions.
Health care for precocious puberty
1. Avoid excessive nutrition in the diet, eat less greasy food and sweets, ensure protein intake, and eat more fruits and vegetables.
2. Ensure more than 30 minutes of exercise daily, such as running or jumping rope.
3. Ensure 8 hours of high-quality sleep each night to ensure adequate secretion from the pituitary gland at night.
Pediatric endocrine diseases often develop slowly, and early symptoms are not obvious, so parents may not pay enough attention. If not treated in time, they can severely affect the child's physical and mental health, with negative impacts potentially lasting a long time, even a lifetime. To ensure healthy growth for children and alleviate parents' worries, Meihua has established a pediatric endocrine clinic, where experienced pediatric experts help parents identify disease symptoms, provide preventive advice, and tailor treatment plans to help children regain health and grow up happily!
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