© 2026 NPR Illinois
For your right to be curious.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

He Started Puberty At Age 2 Growing Up With Rare Genetic Mutation

For the full story, click here.


There’s a rare genetic mutation that triggers testosterone production in boys as young as two years old. It causes what doctors call precocious puberty.

Patrick Burleigh wrote about his experience growing up with the mutation for New York magazine. We talk to him about it.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.