Precocious Puberty: Height and Facial Hair in Children

The issue of long beards and height?

Hello, doctor.
My son is currently in the 6th grade and is 11 years old, with a height of 151 cm.
In the 5th grade, I noticed that he seemed to have developed some facial hair, but he does not have an Adam's apple, has not experienced voice changes, and has no pubic hair.
I'm uncertain about his testicles and penis as he is unwilling to let me check.
He mentioned that he has not developed any pubic hair.
His height measurements are as follows: 137.7 cm in September 2020, 145.2 cm in September 2021, and 151 cm in September 2022.

Is this considered precocious puberty? Is his height normal for his age? Will he continue to grow? Can he reach a height of 175 cm? Should I consult a pediatrician? How can I observe the development of secondary sexual characteristics in my child? What should I look for to identify precocious puberty? How much should a child grow in a year before I need to see a doctor? Thank you for your response, doctor.

Xiao Ke, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2022/09/26

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen reply Pediatrics

Boys showing secondary sexual characteristics (such as the development of a prominent Adam's apple, pubic hair, axillary hair, enlargement of the scrotum, and penile growth) before the age of 9 may be experiencing precocious puberty.
If a child grows less than 5 centimeters in a year or has a height percentile below 3%, they are considered to have short stature and should be referred to a pediatric endocrinologist for evaluation.
Your child's height percentile is currently at 80%, which is within the normal range.

A child's height is influenced by multiple factors, including genetics, nutrition, sleep, and physical activity, making it difficult to predict accurately.
However, a formula can be used to estimate a child's adult height: (Father's height + Mother's height + 13) ÷ 2 = estimated adult height for boys (with a margin of error of ±5 centimeters).
To determine if further growth is possible, a bone age assessment is needed to evaluate the status of the growth plates.

Reply Date: 2022/09/26

More Info

Understanding precocious puberty in children is a complex issue that involves various physical, hormonal, and developmental factors. In your case, your son is 11 years old and has shown some signs that may raise concerns about early puberty, particularly the appearance of facial hair. However, there are several aspects to consider before concluding whether he is experiencing precocious puberty.

1. Definition of Precocious Puberty:
Precocious puberty is defined as the onset of secondary sexual characteristics before age 9 in boys. This includes developments such as testicular enlargement, pubic hair growth, and voice changes. In your son's case, the presence of facial hair is noteworthy, but it is essential to assess other signs of puberty as well.

2. Height and Growth Patterns:
Your son's height of 151 cm at age 11 places him in the 80th percentile for boys his age, which is considered normal. The growth data you provided shows a steady increase in height over the years, with an average growth of about 7.5 cm per year. Generally, a growth rate of less than 5 cm per year in children may warrant further evaluation by a pediatrician, especially if there are concerns about growth patterns or signs of early puberty.

3. Future Growth Potential:
Predicting a child's final adult height can be challenging and is influenced by various factors, including genetics, nutrition, and overall health. A common formula used to estimate adult height is: (Father's height + Mother's height + 13 cm) / 2 for boys, with a margin of error of about ±5 cm. If your son continues to grow at a healthy rate, it is possible that he could reach a height of 175 cm, but this would depend on his growth plates' status, which can be assessed through a bone age X-ray.

4. When to Seek Medical Advice:
If you notice additional signs of puberty, such as testicular enlargement, voice changes, or the development of pubic hair, it would be prudent to consult a pediatric endocrinologist. They can perform a thorough evaluation, including hormone level tests and possibly imaging studies, to determine if your son is experiencing precocious puberty.

5. Observing Secondary Sexual Characteristics:
To monitor your child's development, you can observe for the following signs:
- Testicular enlargement
- Growth of pubic and underarm hair
- Changes in body odor
- Voice deepening
- Growth spurts
If any of these signs appear before age 9, it is advisable to seek medical consultation.

6. Conclusion:
In summary, while your son has shown some early signs of puberty, it is essential to consider his overall growth pattern and other physical developments. His height is currently within a normal range, and he has been growing steadily. If you have concerns about his development or if additional signs of puberty appear, consulting a pediatrician or endocrinologist would be the best course of action. They can provide a comprehensive evaluation and guidance tailored to your son's specific situation.

Similar Q&A

Understanding Growth Issues and Precocious Puberty in Children

Hello, Doctor. My child is currently in sixth grade, 11 years and 6 months old, with a height of approximately 147.5 cm and a weight of 43 kg. Recently, I've noticed a few pimples appearing on his face, and during bath time, I observed that his genitalia has also shown signs...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen reply Pediatrics
Boys do not qualify for precocious puberty after the age of 9, so your child's age does not indicate precocious puberty. A boy who is 11 and a half years old and measures 145 cm is approximately in the 58th percentile, which is not considered short stature. It is normal for ...

Is There a Link Between Height, Tooth Development, and Precocious Puberty?

Hello Doctor: My son is 5 years and 3 months old, with a height of 115 cm and a weight of 24 kg. He is currently in kindergarten. He is taller than most of his peers, and recently he has developed a large molar, but his front teeth (deciduous teeth) have not yet fallen out. This ...

Dr. Lin Yishou reply Pediatrics
Dear Parent, The timing of tooth replacement is not necessarily related to precocious puberty. A direct examination is required to make a definitive assessment. Thank you for your message.

Understanding Endocrine Issues: Impact on Growth and Development

Dear Doctor, I developed an Adam's apple in the second semester of fifth grade, and during sixth grade, I started to grow pubic and underarm hair. I began masturbating in the second semester of fourth grade, and I'm unsure if this has contributed to the development of m...

Dr. Yang Hongzhi reply Internal Medicine
Precocious puberty can affect height, but it seems you have not reached that level yet. A height of 163 cm in the first year of junior high school is still considered acceptable.

Understanding Delayed Puberty in Middle School Boys: Key Insights

Hello, my son is currently in the second year of junior high school (95.11) and has not yet experienced voice change. He has body hair but no underarm hair. His height is approximately 170 cm. Is this considered late development? Should we check his bone age? Will he still grow t...

Dr. Lin Yishou reply Pediatrics
Dear Parent, you can visit the hospital for a consultation to confirm the situation. Thank you.