What to do if a 6-year-old child matures prematurely

Precocious puberty in 6-year-old children can be intervened by adjusting diet, increasing exercise, psychological counseling, drug treatment, and regular review. Precocious puberty may be related to genetics, overnutrition, environmental hormone exposure, central nervous system abnormalities, endocrine diseases and other factors.

1. Adjust your diet

Reduce the intake of high-calorie and high-fat foods, and avoid eating hormone-containing poultry or off-season fruits and vegetables. Ensure a daily supply of high-quality protein with 500 ml of milk and 1 egg, and increase foods rich in dietary fiber such as broccoli and apples. Limit supplements such as honey and royal jelly that may contain phytoestrogens.

2. Increase exercise

Perform vertical exercises such as rope skipping and swimming for 60 minutes every day. The intensity of the exercise should be enough to make you sweat slightly. Avoid weight-bearing exercises such as weightlifting, and warm up and stretch before and after exercise. It is recommended that parents accompany children during exercise and record growth curve changes.

3. Psychological counseling

Explain physical changes through picture books, animations and other forms to eliminate children's anxiety. Parents should avoid discussing developmental issues in front of their children and prohibit the use of adult-like clothing. School teachers need to pay attention to their social situations and prevent school bullying.

4. Drug treatment

If central precocious puberty is diagnosed, triptorelin injection, leuprolide sustained-release microspheres and other GnRH analogues can be used as directed by the doctor. Peripheral precocious puberty may require aromatase inhibitors such as letrozole tablets and anastrozole tablets. Bone age and hormone levels are monitored monthly during medication.

5. Regular review

Height and weight were measured every 3 months, and bone age and sex hormones were tested every 6 months. When it is discovered that the growth rate suddenly accelerates or the breasts/testicles continue to enlarge, brain MRI needs to be reviewed promptly to rule out tumor lesions. Keep complete growth and development records for physician reference.

Establish a regular schedule and ensure 9 hours of sleep every day. Avoid contact with plastic products and cosmetics containing BPA. Choose pure cotton breathable underwear and wash your perineum daily. Parents should learn knowledge about children's growth and development, avoid blind supplementation or excessive anxiety, seek medical treatment at the pediatric endocrinology department promptly if abnormalities are found, and do not use folk remedies or health products to interfere with the development process.