Precocious puberty is characterized by the onset of puberty before what ages in girls and boys respectively?

Precocious puberty is defined as the onset of secondary sexual characteristics before specific ages that are considered to be the norm for the general population. In girls, the age threshold is less than 8 years old, whereas for boys, it is less than 9 years old. Therefore, the correct characterization of precocious puberty is reflected in the option indicating that it occurs before the ages of 8 in girls and 9 in boys. This early onset can lead to various physical, emotional, and psychological challenges for the affected individuals, making the identification and understanding of this condition crucial in clinical practice. The other age thresholds provided in the options do not align with the accepted medical definitions of precocious puberty, thus reinforcing the importance of the specific ages chosen as the correct answer.