Pediatric Premature Thelarche

Summary

Pediatric premature thelarche occurs when a girl develops breast tissue before the typical age.

Expanded overview

Premature thelarche occurs when a girl develops breast tissue before puberty (between the ages of 10 to 14*). Most are diagnosed before the age of three, but in rare cases, the condition is diagnosed up to the age of six. Typically, the breast tissue is small (1-inch or less across). It usually occurs on both sides (bilateral), but it can occur on only one side (unilateral). This disorder usually goes away on its own, but it can take a few years to fully disappear.

Causes

The cause of premature thelarche is often unknown. The condition may be from sensitivity to estrogen, or it can be a symptom of hormonal imbalances in the adrenal glands or ovaries.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of premature thelarche is enlarged breast tissue anytime from birth to six years old. It can be associated with premature puberty.

*Age of puberty is middle childhood to teenage years as defined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).