[bwperry]

Our 7 1/2 year old daughter, adopted from Russia, has gotten hair growth on her legs. For those of you, who have adopted girls from Russia, is this normal? She may be from a Gypsy line. Thanks.

[Mykidsmom]

I cannot answer to girls, but our little boy (age 5) has very dark hair on his legs and arms and on his back.
I say that he will probably be shaving by the age of 12.

He may have Roma (Gypsy) or maybe Greek in his background.

[sak9645]

Does your daughter have any signs of puberty? (You don't have to answer in a public forum; just think about it.)

It appears that internationally adopted children have a higher incidence of precocious (unusually early) puberty than most kids.

Doctors are exploring the hypothesis that the rapid growth "catchup" that many children experience when they are brought into their new homes somehow triggers early puberty.

If you think your child may have precocious puberty, talk with your pediatrician and/or an adoption medicine specialist. In some cases, it may be advisable for a child to take medications to delay the onset of puberty, since precocious puberty can apparently cause a slowing of normal growth, not to mention acute embarrassment for the child who is "different" from his/her peers.

Sharon

[bluedaisy]

Roma is definitely the preferred term for this group. I think "gypsy" is considered derogatory.