Emily Dover at the age of five is facing a host of problems that she ought not to face until she is in her fifties
Tam Dover, [left], pictured with her daughter who is facing the menopause at five-years-old. Emily developed breasts, body odour and acne as a toddler
When docs from the pediatric Acute Care Unit in Wyong Hospital, Australia tested Emily, they discovered her hormones were as though she was a pregnant woman.
Emily was diagnosed with central precocious puberty and Addison’s disease, which means her adrenal glands do not produce enough steroid hormones.
Her mum, Tam Dover, is frustrated that she “hasn’t had a chance to be a little girl”.
Emily has been forced to learn how to put “pantyliners on for menstruating” at such a young age, while dealing with strong body odour and cystic acne.
Little Emily has become very body conscious, according to her mum who is disheartened her daughter hasn’t had a chance to live as a little girl
Tam Dover says it was hard explaining to her 4-year-old daughter Emily what is happening to her body. She has not been able to be a little girl and says her ‘foo foo is bleeding’
“She continued to grow,” her mum said. “At four months old were dressing her in clothes for a 12 to 18-month-old baby.”
But after her first “normal” week, Emily struggled to sleep and was under a great amount of pain.
The mum finds it difficult to explain what is happening to her, even though little Emily has now become fully aware that she is different.
Recalling the moment Emily started her period, Tam said: “Because she has trouble toileting, she thought she had done a poo in her undies.
“We used pantyliners and it didn’t last more than a day.”
At four months Emily, [seen with her parents], was the size of a one-year-old. The Dovers said their daughter’s body is aging faster than other people with her bone age, nearly 4 years above her chronological age
Emily was bullied at daycare and now her mum fears she may be the “different kid” at her new primary school.
Tam said: “There are so many aspects of her life, that thankfully, she is too young to be completely aware of that are going to impact her.
“That impact will be when she starts school next year, and will have to face being the kid that is so different to others.”
She is due to start hormone replacement therapy, which requires her to receive an injection every three months.
Tam set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the “astronomical” costs of her daughter’s treatments and medical care.
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