Puberty is a difficult time for teenagers and their parents, and delayed puberty is even more distressing, especially when a boy sees all his peers around him growing and developing physically.
Delayed puberty can pose a number of challenges for both the child and the mother, due to its severe psychological and emotional impact.
What is delayed puberty?
Delayed puberty occurs when a child reaches the expected or typical age of puberty without showing any physical changes. According to Children 's Minnesota , puberty doesn't happen overnight, but rather is a long process that spans years. While puberty typically begins between the ages of 8 and 13 for girls, it typically begins between the ages of 9 and 15 for boys.
In some cases, signs of puberty do not appear in girls until the age of 14, and in boys they may not appear until the age of 15, which is considered late puberty.
Causes of delayed puberty
Delayed puberty can be caused by a variety of physical or genetic conditions, according to Verywellfamily , including:
- Malnutrition: If a child doesn't get the right nutrients, his or her body may not be ready for puberty.
- Hormonal problems: If there are disorders or problems with the pituitary gland and thyroid gland, puberty may be delayed, as these glands fail to produce the hormones necessary for growth.
- Chronic medical conditions: With some diseases such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and kidney disease, it becomes difficult for the body to develop.
- Family history: Delayed puberty may be due to the pattern of growth and development within the family, or it may be hereditary. In this case, there is no need to worry about delayed puberty.
Anxiety and diagnosis
It's normal for a mother to feel anxious when her 13-year-old daughters or 15-year-old sons show signs of puberty late, especially if this has never happened before in the family's history.
In this case, you should consult a doctor to diagnose delayed puberty and determine its causes. According to the Kidshealth Foundation , the doctor will perform a number of procedures in this case, including:
- Review the child's complete medical history, medications he or she is taking, and perform a physical examination.
- Blood tests: To check for problems with the thyroid, pituitary gland, or chromosomes, measure hormone levels, and test for chronic disorders that may delay puberty, such as diabetes and anemia.
- X-rays for bone age: to see if they are maturing normally, because in cases of delayed puberty, bone growth is often delayed for the child's age.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): To examine organs and structures inside the body and determine if they are damaged.
Negative effects and positive support
It's essential to consult a doctor to diagnose the cause of delayed puberty and treat it according to the child's condition. However, it's also important for the mother to realize that delayed puberty can cause embarrassment and stress for her teenage son.
Some children may experience psychological problems during their teenage years due to delayed puberty, while watching their friends grow and develop. This can expose them to bullying and ridicule. At some point, some children may become depressed and withdraw from social activities.
WebMD advises mothers to take some measures to help and support their child during this critical period, by:
- Emotional and psychological support, reassurance and continuous encouragement for the child suffering from delayed puberty.
- Teaching him to accept his body at every stage of life, and for the mother to be a real role model for that.
- Tell your child repeatedly that delayed puberty is just a delay, and that with time he will grow up like his friends.
- Enroll your child in activities appropriate for his or her body type.
- Encourage him to get enough sleep and eat a balanced, healthy diet.
- Ensure that he is physically and socially engaged in various activities.
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