Breast development in children

The breast is one of the most important body tissues for women. The breast is also very complex and has a special structure. Under the round fat tissue is the developed mammary gland, which is the key factor for the breast to be firm. Breast development is a sign of female puberty. In modern life, affected by environmental factors, the phenomenon of rapid breast development in women is increasing. Let's take a look at the manifestations of rapid breast development in children.

It is generally believed that if a girl develops any one or more secondary sexual characteristics such as breast enlargement, pubic hair growth, and axillary hair growth before the age of 8, or if her first menstruation begins before the age of 10, she is experiencing precocious puberty. Some scholars also argue that if a child's puberty and sexual development are 2 or 2.5 standard deviations earlier than the local average age of normal children, she is experiencing precocious puberty.

1. Clinical characteristics

Girls who experience precocious puberty often first experience breast enlargement, which may be tender. In most cases, both breasts enlarge at the same time, but in some children, only one breast enlarges at first, and then the breast develops to the other side. As the disease progresses, the breasts enlarge further, vaginal discharge increases, and the child's height growth accelerates. If not treated promptly and appropriately, pubic, axillary and vaginal bleeding may occur later. It usually starts with irregular vaginal bleeding, which gradually transitions to regular menstruation.

(II) Classification and characteristics

1. Pseudo-precocious puberty

(1) Homosexual precocious puberty ① In cases caused by exogenous estrogen, the areola, nipples and labia minora are brown, female sexual characteristics are not fully developed, or there is irregular vaginal bleeding. ② Patients with signs of primary diseases such as pelvic tumors and multiple fibrous dysplasia have coffee-colored pigment spots on the skin that vary in size, shape, and number, and are prone to fractures.

(2) Heterosexual precocious puberty ① Masculinization manifestations Girls develop Adam's apple, beard, hirsutism, acne, clitoral enlargement and other masculinization manifestations. ②Adrenal disease or ovarian tumor.

2. True precocious puberty

(1) Development of female secondary sexual characteristics: Pubic and axillary hair appear, breast development can reach Tanner stages III and IV, and the body shape is similar to that of an adult woman (wide hips).

(2) The child’s height exceeds that of children of the same age at an early age.

(3) The internal and external genitalia are well developed: the uterine body occupies 2/3 of the entire uterus, the cervix occupies 1/3, and the labia majora are plump.

(4) When the basal body temperature is biphasic and the menstruation is regular, it indicates ovulation.