Too young, too soon: The concerning rise of early puberty among young girls
Experts are seeing more cases of precocious puberty, which is when girls begin puberty before age eight.
NUR ADNIN MAHALIM
It’s no longer uncommon to see children showing signs of puberty earlier than expected - sometimes years before their peers. This concerning trend has caught the attention of parents and medical professionals alike, raising questions about what triggers such early physical changes.
According to Prince Court Medical Centre Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist, Dr Maiza Tusimin, precocious puberty refers to the onset of secondary sexual characteristics such as breast development or pubic hair growth at an unusually young age.
“In girls, the classic cutoff used in many guidelines is before eight years of age,” she stated.
She added that some guidelines suggest the threshold for evaluation might differ by population because normal puberty onset can vary by ethnicity and geography.
“Evaluations are often recommended even for breast development starting between ages six to eight,” she said.
Dr Maiza said she is seeing more cases in her clinic now than ever before.
“As a gynaecologist, I am seeing more cases of precocious puberty, when girls begin puberty before age eight,” she told Sinar Daily.
When there’s no clear cause
While some cases are linked to rare brain or hormonal disorders, Dr Maiza said most are what doctors call idiopathic, meaning there is no identifiable medical cause.
“Clinical evidence revealed most cases today are idiopathic.
“What we’re really facing is a lifestyle and environmental issue; notes recent clinical reviews,” she said.
She added that current research highlights childhood obesity, high-calorie diets and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates as major contributors.
“These factors accelerate hormone activity, leading to earlier breast development and menstruation,” she said.
She said studies now estimate that 25 to 40 per cent of the global trend toward earlier puberty is driven by rising obesity and environmental exposure.
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