Premature Thelarche: An Overview of Untimely Breast Development

There is nothing more terrifying than finding what appears to be a lump in your one year old daughter’s breast tissue.

Before learning about Premature Thelarche, I associated any breast lump with cancer, so when I examined what I thought was a lump on my daughters chest, I panicked, immediately scheduled an appointment with her pediatrician and then jumped online to find instant answers.

While googling my daughters symptoms, the word, “Premature Thelarche” appeared in my search results. The signs of Premature Thelarche matched the symptoms my daughter displayed and the accompanying image of a child with Premature Thelarche mirrored my daughters condition. As I continued reading, I found that Premature Thelarche wasn’t all that unusual in female toddlers.

What is It?
Premature Thelarche is a benign condition and is “the beginning of breast development” in girls under the age of three years old.

If your daughter has Premature Thelarche, symptoms will show as the growth of breast buds in one or both breasts. Although this is not the start of the continued growth of breasts and puberty, after a thorough examination, your child’s pediatrician will probably order a series of tests to help discover why Premature Thelarche has developed.

Bloodwork
During your daughters doctors appointment, her pediatrician may ask you if anyone in your household uses birth control pills or estrogen cream. If your daughter accidentally ingested birth control pills or any other medication that contains estrogen, Premature Thelarche can be a side effect.

“Estrogens (also oestrogens) are a group of steroid compounds, named for their importance in the oestrus cycle, functioning as the primary female sex hormone. They promote the development of female secondary sex characteristics, such as breasts and are also involved in the thickening of the endometrium and other aspects of regulating the menstrual cycle.” Because estrogen is causing your daughter to develop breast buds, her pediatricians goal will be to find the estrogen producing source. Your daughter’s blood will be drawn and checked for elevated hormone levels that may be the root of Premature Thelarche.

X-Rays
If hormonal levels are within normal range, your child’s pediatrician may order an x-ray of the wrist. An x-ray is taken to ensure your daughter’s bones are not at an advanced age. In simpler terms, this x-ray will inform your doctor whether or not your child is the same age on both, the inside and the outside of her body. This is a crucial factor when determining whether your daughter has Premature Thelarche or another medical condition.

Your child’s pediatrician may also make a referral for your child to see a pediatric endocrinologist. A pediatric endocrinologist “diagnoses and treats a variety of endocrine system or hormone-related disorders including diabetes, growth disorders, abnormal thyroid function and puberty disorders” such as Premature Thelarche.

Causes
The Cause of Premature Thelarche is unknown, but it is believed that girls with Premature Thelarche are “temporarily more sensitive to their normal blood levels of estrogen.” If Premature Thelarche doesn’t show with any other symptoms of puberty such as, pubic hair and acne, further treatment is not necessary and your doctor will only suggest that you monitor your daughter.

Premature Thelarche cannot be prevented, however, it doesn’t interfere with the normal occurrence of puberty. In many cases, Premature Thelarche regresses on its own, still, your doctor may be concerned with other medical issues that can cause a raised level of estrogen such as ovarian cysts and tumors in which case, an ultrasound of the pelvic area or a CAT scan will be considered.

Resources
http://www.ecureme.com/emyhealth/Pediatrics/Premature_Thelarche.asp

http://life.familyeducation.com/baby/growth-and-development/42319.html

http://www.virtua.org/page.cfm?nav_id=338

http://www.pediatricweb.com/seattle/article.asp?ArticleID=837&ArticleType=9