Charlie Denton, 29, appeared on Good Morning Britain earlier today to discuss her daughter Nevaeh’s precocious puberty; a rare medical condition which means all the tell-tale signs of puberty start developing at an extremely young age.
Four-year-old Nevaeh, who joined her mum on the sofa, developed breast buds aged just two.
Charlie wanted to help raise awareness of the condition that only five percent of the population experience. Nevaeh's condition is now medicated, enabling her to develop at the same age range as other young girls.
Speaking to Susanna Reid and Ben Shepherd about Nevaeh’s experiences, she said:
“It was a huge shock. Just after her second birthday, she developed breast buds.
“She then underwent many tests and we were told she had started puberty. We had never heard of the condition before.”
Some viewers found the segment uncomfortable to watch, asking why Nevaeh had to be 'paraded' on live television.
Indeed, the four-year-old looked shy as she clung around her mothers neck.
Taking to Twitter, one viewer commented: "@GMB poor girl being paraded on TV for a rare and embarrassing illness."
Another noted: “Surely you can interview the mum on the subject without parading the little girl in front of the camera who is clearly uncomfortable @GMB”.
One viewer even said that it was 'cruel': “Pretty cruel to be talking about that little girl like she wasn’t there. No wonder she was upset. #puberty.”
A Good Morning Britain spokesperson said this in response to the negative reaction and assured us that Nevaeh was happy to be interview on the show, she was just a little camera shy: "Charlie Denton appeared on today's programme to raise awareness about a serious condition affecting her daughter Nevaeh.
"Nevaeh was more than happy to be on the sofa with her mum but as the item began and due to the unpredictable behaviour of four year olds on live television, she became shy and hid her face. She was in no way embarrassed or distressed at the time of the interview or following it."
To learn more or to seek advice about premature puberty contact the Child Growth Foundation's helpline@cafamily.org.uk.
What do you make of this? Do you think the mum did well to raise awareness?
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