A nine-month-old baby girl has been diagnosed with a rare disorder after her terrified mum found the child's nappy filled with blood.
Sarah Regan, 38, panicked on seeing the blood and, fearing a kidney infection, rushed baby Birdie to hospital.
After a number of tests it was discovered her bones were far further developed than doctors would have expected for a child that age.
Birdie was diagnosed early-onset puberty, known as precocious puberty.
Whereas puberty starts on average in girls between ages 8 and 13 and in boys between ages 9 and 14, with precocious puberty it can start far younger, reports New York Post.
Ms Regan, from Sydney, Australia, said: “That was her first period. I didn’t know what to think, we didn’t know much about it and we’d never heard of it before.”
The family are still trying to come to grips with the 2020 diagnosis.
Despite Birdie now being two, the family still finds it difficult to work out what other symptoms she has such as mood swings or period pain.
The disorder affects different people differently with some children affected from the condition can develop pubic hair or breasts. For Birdie this hasn't happened.
The mum has two other children, Zachary, 10, and Elsie, one. She admitted it’s hard to have to explain Birdie's condition.
“When she goes to day care I felt like I had to explain that if they find blood in her nappy that’s why and we have a doctor’s note to ensure no one becomes concerned about it,” she revealed.
“That’s our biggest hurdle with her.”
Ms Regan is trying to increase awareness about the condition
Despite knowing what Birdie is going through, the child still faces regular tests to monitor her development.
If puberty continues to develop quickly, her mum will consider hormone injections to slow the process down.
Precocious puberty can cause mental health problems, behavioural issues and short stature.
Although Birdie has had some spotting since the first full bleed her period has not been regular.
The concerned mom says just wants her daughter to have a typical childhood.
According to Ms Regan you couldn't tell what Birdie is going through just by looking at her but her body changing is a worry for the family.
“As her mom I hope it doesn’t affect her appearance and growth more than any other child her age,” she said. “If we need hormone therapy then we’ll do it, I just don’t want it to make her different.”
