Young now reaching puberty at an early age

A report in a Chinese daily recently claimed that a nine-year-old girl had a baby following a sexual relationship with her 14-year-old neighbour in Penang.

While police are investigating the report, many find it difficult to believe that a girl can become pregnant at nine and give birth.

Interestingly, the record for the youngest mother in the world is held by Lena Medina from Peru, who gave birth at the age of five.

Worried that she had a tumour, Lena’s family rushed her to hospital when her stomach began to bulge and her body matured abnormally for her age.

To their shock, the doctor informed them that she was seven months pregnant. A Caesarean operation was performed on her because her pelvis was too small for a normal birth and on May 14, 1939, she gave birth to a healthy 3kg baby boy whom she named Gerardo, after her doctor.

The mystery of Gerardo’s father was never solved but Lena’s father was jailed for incest and rape. However, he was later released due to lack of evidence.

Further tests on Lena revealed that she had been having regular periods since she was eight months old. Her ovaries were found to be fully developed and her body mature due to a hormone disorder.

Lena and Gerardo were said to have a happy childhood, with her family raising them as brother and sister. Lena had another baby only when she was 38.

According to the National Popula­tion and Family Develop­ment Board (LPPKN), Malay­sian girls are reaching puberty at an early age.

“The average age for puberty in Malaysia has gone down. Puberty now commonly occurs in girls between the ages of nine and 131/2 years, and in boys between 91/2 and 14 years. There are also more cases of precocious puberty among Malay­sian children – where girls reach puberty before the age of eight and boys before the age of nine.

“This is due to an overall improve­ment in our nutrition value compared to before. As our country becomes more developed, we will mature faster biologically,” explains Dr Norliza Ahmad, director of LPPKN’s Human Reproduction Division.

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