The following is an edited excerpt.
Central precocious puberty happens when a child hits puberty before age 9. Nutrition, environment and socio-economic status all are believed to have a hand in the changes, but the role of genetics is thought to be particularly significant.
In order to identify the genetic causes of early puberty, researchers conducted a gene sequence analysis of 40 members of 15 families with central precocious puberty and found that the gene MKRN3, which is passed along by the father, cause early activation of reproductive hormones and encourage puberty.
Read the full story here: Scientists Identify Gene That Spurs Early Puberty
