Hormones: How Do They Affect Kids?

Hormones. We all have them, but what are they and how do they affect our behavior or moods? At what age should parents expect to see hormonal or physical changes in their children? We asked Dr. Robert Ferry, a Le Bonheur pediatric endocrinologist, to answer some of parents' most common questions about hormones.

What are hormones?
Several glands in the body produce hormones, special chemicals that travel through the blood to control growth, puberty and metabolism.

How do they affect girls/boys?
Several hormones are essential for normal growth, overall health and metabolism in both girls and boys. For example, the pituitary gland in the brain produces growth hormone, which is essential for most of the normal growth during infancy, childhood and adolescence. LH and FSH are two pituitary hormones that control puberty. The thyroid gland in the neck produces thyroid hormone, which is essential for normal brain development in infants as well as normal growth and metabolism throughout life.

What age should I expect changes?
The first sign of true puberty in boys is enlargement of the testes, as these organs began to produce testosterone, typically between ages 9.5 to 13.5 years. The first sign of true puberty in girls is breast development, which happens after estrogen release from an ovary, typically between ages 9 to 13 years. Pubic hair, body odor and moodiness are unreliable as indicators of puberty and often represent normal variations of maturation and development. However, many children and parents become concerned by such changes. When in doubt, ask your doctor. Your doctor can assess the issue and, if necessary, refer to a pediatric endocrinologist for further evaluation. That said, any boy lacking pubic hair by age 14 and any girl who has not menstruated by age 14.5 years should be formally evaluated by a physician.

Do hormones change their behavior?
Hormones cannot be blamed for most of the unpleasant behaviors typically associated with childhood and adolescence (e.g., toddlers' tantrums, teenagers' sulky moodiness and risky behaviors). Still, a significant change in behavior for your child, or a substantial difficulty in academic performance, can be a symptom of an endocrine disorder. Talk with your health care provider about your concerns. He or she can determine whether referral is needed for further counseling or evaluation by a psychologist, pediatric endocrinologist or other specialist.

Reassure your child about normal changes associated with puberty. Answer your child's questions directly but at a level appropriate to the question. Most children do not require detailed answers so much as they want reassurance that you will be candid and, as a parent, care about her/his concerns.

Are there tips for how to handle a pre-teen child who seems to be especially emotional?
Listening to your child's concerns, setting clear limits and providing unconditional love are the most supportive actions that a parent or guardian can take. Encourage your child to keep a diary, and try to respect your child's privacy whenever possible. For instance, when visiting your child's pediatrician, take some time to step outside the exam room in order to allow your child to discuss her/his concerns privately with the doctor.

I've noticed my daughter had strong body odor and was extremely irritable with her family. Now she seems to be calmer and her body odor has improved. Does that involve hormone changes?
Puberty typically lasts 3.5-five years and is associated with dramatic changes in physical growth and development, hormone actions, societal expectations, and your child's self-esteem and self-perception. It's normal for a child to have body odor and need deodorant as early as age 4, without true puberty. Discuss your concerns with your child's pediatrician, who can best perform a comprehensive assessment of your child's health, including a physical examination. Your child's doctor can determine whether referral is needed for further counseling or evaluation by a psychologist, pediatric endocrinologist or other specialist.