Reaching puberty is a rite of passage that we’ve all been through, but these days children are entering puberty at younger ages – like 7, 8, or 9 years old – compared to previous generations. It’s a trend that has many health providers and parents scratching their heads.
Precocious puberty, or early puberty, is one of several topics that Dr. Jennifer Dietrich and her colleagues explore in their newly published book titled, “Female Puberty: A Comprehensive Guide for Clinicians.”
“Things have changed compared to 100 years ago,” said Dr. Jennifer Dietrich, chief of pediatric and adolescent gynecology at Texas Children’s. “Our nutrition today is different than it was back then. There are environmental factors, including childhood obesity, that potentially could impact the age at which children reach puberty. Our book explores all of these topics.”
The 159-page comprehensive manual is categorized into three main areas – normal, early and delayed puberty – and covers a spectrum of puberty-related topics and up-to-date clinical recommendations to help physicians better care for their patients, while making this journey through adolescence easier for moms and their daughters.
“Female Puberty: A Comprehensive Guide for Clinicians” examines case studies and current data trends on puberty, the potential impact of environmental factors and childhood body weight on the age of puberty, and whether the age of puberty is changing or is simply being measured and diagnosed differently.
Dietrich says it took years of rigorous research, intensive writing and multiple rounds of edits to bring this project to fruition. She and her colleagues – many of whom completed their fellowship in pediatric and adolescent gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine – were each assigned a chapter to write in six months before all the material was submitted to Springer for final approval.
“I am glad that Springer published our book,” said Dietrich. “I believe this will be an invaluable resource tool for all clinicians who specialize in female reproductive health including obstetrician gynecologists, reproductive endocrine specialists, pediatricians, family practitioners and allied health professionals.”
Dietrich’s book will be highlighted at upcoming conferences of The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, North American Society for Reproductive Medicine, North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, and The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
If you’re interested in purchasing the book online, click here for more information.