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Early puberty is for real: How to help our children

Early puberty is for real: How to help our children

India Today16-07-2025
Precocious puberty refers to the early development of puberty and secondary sexual features in children before age eight for girls and boys before age nine. While the average age for menarche (first menstruation) in India used to be around 14-16 years, it has now dropped to around 12 years, and some girls are showing signs of puberty as early as age seven. Dr Atique Ahmed, newborn and child specialist, Saifee Hospital, Mumbai, explains why more such cases are being noticed.A growing concern: Children with precocious puberty may suffer both the physical and emotional impact. In the short term, they will likely be taller than their peers, but the long-term consequence of closing the growth plates too soon is shorter stature. From a psychological perspective, the hurdles can be equally profound. Children who are developing ahead of their same-age peers can experience embarrassment, anxiety and depression. The mismatched social-emotional and physical developments can manifest as behavioural problems, such as an increased risk for substance use or conduct problems.advertisementIsolation and screen-time probable causes? A noticeable rise in cases of central precocious puberty (CPP) has been observed, especially following the Covid-19 pandemic. During the outbreak, all schools remained shut across India and children under 18 were forced to spend extended periods confined at home. This prolonged isolation have coincided with a significant spike in the cases.Though one cannot attribute a particular reason for its increase, several factors are being investigated. One prominent theory suggests that increased exposure to digital screens may be contributing. Research found that children's screen-time surged by approximately 2.5 times during the pandemic. It is believed that prolonged engagement with electronic devices—ranging from televisions to tablets—might be a contributing factor in the increasing incidence of CPP.
Nutritional deficiency: Other lifestyle changes during the Covid lockdown may have added to the increase. Many children experienced a marked decline in physical activity and spent more time indoors, which contributed to widespread deficiency of Vitamin D. Dietary habits also shifted significantly during this time, with eating becoming a source of entertainment. A number of authors referenced ongoing increases in consumption of sweet snacks, high-calorie processed products, and pre-packaged foods. This may have contribute to a rise in childhood obesity, which resulted in the advancement of puberty in children, especially among girls.Sleep changes: Sleep changes were reported during lockdowns, such as reduced time for sleeping and poorer quality of sleep among children. In one clinical opinion, psychological changes, technology influences or a combination of these things might have resulted in changes that led to early onset of puberty. However, we need to await clear evidence for definitive conclusions.Biological effects of Covid-19: Some researchers are exploring whether the SARS-CoV-2 virus could have directly affected neurological pathways involved in puberty through inflammation of the olfactory bulb, disruption of the blood-brain barrier or widespread inflammatory responses like cytokine storms. However, this connection remains under investigation.Managing early puberty: Despite some early cases being unpreventable, parents can find actionable strategies to reduce risk and help their children cope with precocious puberty. Encouraging healthy practices is most important, such as making nutritious foods available; regular, purposeful activity; reduced screen-time; and improving sleep. Limiting exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals and providing an environment that promotes open communication can help empower children as they navigate the changes.Subscribe to India Today Magazine- Ends
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Why minimum standards for handling diagnostic samples are important
Why minimum standards for handling diagnostic samples are important

Indian Express

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  • Indian Express

Why minimum standards for handling diagnostic samples are important

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) last week assured the Delhi High Court that it will soon notify minimum clinical standards for collection, handling, and transport of diagnostic samples. The MoHFW said that subject experts held 'detailed internal deliberations for formulating minimum standards' following which the draft minimum standards were finalised. The policy is currently being vetted by the legislative department of the Ministry of Law & Justice, the MoHFW told the court. Existing Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines on collection and handling of clinical samples are rudimentary and piecemeal. For instance, the Pune-based ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV) has specific 'Guidelines for collection, packaging and transport of specimens for testing for high risk viral pathogens', which include guidelines for handling samples containing Covid-19 virus. 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In November 2020, the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) had flagged that 'there are mismatches in the declaration (of samples) made by (accredited) lab to NABL and the actual collection centres/facilities/sources of collection which are available on their websites or other documents'. At the time, it advised labs to declare all sample collection centres within 30 days, and cautioned that 'any sample collection not under the responsibility of the lab and not covered under its (quality) management system is non-compliant with the accreditation norms and liable to action by NABL.' The MoHFW's new policy will likely address this issue. 🔴 Experts have also called for revisiting current laws guiding 'who' can collect samples and issue reports. 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But the Centre's Clinical Establishment (Central Government) Amendment Rules 2020 did not address the issue, allowing 'unqualified and unregistered non-medical persons viz MSc/PhD were authorised to issue pathology reports without the signature/counter signature of a pathologist,' according to Jain. Jain challenged these amended rules, and in August 2021, also moved court highlighting an RT-PCR testing 'scam' during the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar that year where one lakh fake tests were reportedly conducted on devotees by unqualified intermediaries. 'The accused diagnostic labs in Delhi and Haryana were able to collect samples and conduct a huge number of tests where they have no sample collection centres at Uttarakhand. It is clear that a scam of such enormity has only been possible because of the lack of essential minimum standards on the issue of sample collection/sample collection centres and sample transport policy,' Jain had argued in his submission. In 2023, the Delhi High Court directed the Centre to consider Jain's plea as a representation and decide a solution in three months. In May 2023, the government held a meeting under the chairmanship of the Additional Director-General of Health Services, New Delhi, where Jain too was invited to make his representation. After the meeting, the government decided to constitute four sub-committees of experts — pathology, biochemistry, hematology and microbiology — to define standards of procedure (SOPs) for sample collection, collection centres and sample transport policy. When these guidelines were not notified even a year later, Jain in May 2024 moved the Delhi High Court again, accusing the government of wilful disobedience of the court's order. It is in this matter that the MoHFW has now assured the court that a policy will be notified at the earliest. Taking the ministry's submission on record, the court instructed that the standards be notified expeditiously, with a direction that the process 'may be accomplished within the next three months'.

2,426 cr Covid fight bill hit state economy hard: Report
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2,426 cr Covid fight bill hit state economy hard: Report

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PM Modi, Maldivian President inaugurate MoD building in Male; India delivers two advanced portable hospital units
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United News of India

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PM Modi, Maldivian President inaugurate MoD building in Male; India delivers two advanced portable hospital units

Male/New Delhi, July 25 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu today jointly inaugurated the state-of-the-art Ministry of Defence (MoD) building of Maldives in Male. Overlooking the Indian Ocean, the eleven-storey building is a symbol of the strong and long-standing defence and security cooperation between the two countries, a statement said. The MoD building has been constructed with India's financial assistance and will contribute towards enhancing the capabilities of the defence and law enforcement authorities of Maldives. Following the inauguration of the Dhoshimeynaa Building, the two leaders viewed a model of the building, and learned about its functions and services. Construction of the building began on 19 February, 2014. The facility will primarily house the Coast Guard division of the Defence Ministry. India has also formally delivered two advanced portable hospital units to the Maldives, marking a significant enhancement of the island nation's emergency medical response capacity and reaffirming New Delhi's commitment to regional health cooperation. Referred to as 'Arogya Maitri Health Cubes', the modular platforms are regarded as the world's first fully transportable hospitals. Each unit includes an intensive care unit (ICU), operation theatre, blood diagnostic equipment, X-ray machine, and power generator, configured to provide critical care for up to 200 individuals over a 72-hour period. Engineered for maximum mobility, the systems can be deployed by helicopter to remote areas and achieve full operational readiness in just 12 minutes. Supplementary kits and medicines allow customisation for varied scenarios, supporting a range of emergency situations. Enhancing this capability is the BHISHM app, a digital tool designed to facilitate configuration and monitor equipment inventories. The Maldives Emergency Medical Service, operating under the Ministry of Health, will oversee the integration of the new facilities into Maldives' emergency response framework. India's assistance to the Maldivian health sector has long reflected a sustained and multifaceted approach. Support has extended to the training of medical personnel, development of urban and atoll-based health infrastructure, and provision of emergency resources, including the expedited supply of Covid-19 vaccines during the pandemic. UNI RN

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