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Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992) May 2020Emerging evidence suggests that pubertal tempo, that is rate of passage through puberty, has relevance to adolescent mood and behaviour. However, its wider health and... (Review)
Review
AIM
Emerging evidence suggests that pubertal tempo, that is rate of passage through puberty, has relevance to adolescent mood and behaviour. However, its wider health and developmental significance remain unclear. This systematic review sought to clarify the relationship of pubertal tempo to indicators of health and development, and to document tempo definitions and pubertal durations reported in the literature.
METHODS
Eight electronic databases were searched from earliest record to July 2018. Study eligibility: healthy participants; age 8-21 years; ≥2 longitudinal measures of puberty; analysis of tempo against a health or developmental indicator.
RESULTS
Thirty-eight studies met eligibility, and these reported on diverse tempo definitions and seven health- and development-related domains. Data sets with varying tempo definitions converged on an association of rapid pubertal progression to: (a) higher adiposity during childhood and adolescence in both sexes; and (b) lower psychosocial well-being in adolescent males. Later thelarche unanimously predicted faster progression to menarche in females, but this compensation was largely undetected when alternate definitions of pubertal timing and/or tempo were used. Duration of puberty ranged from 2.5-4.1 years.
CONCLUSION
Pubertal tempo may be clinically relevant when considering trajectories of adiposity and psychosocial well-being among adolescents, especially males. Consensus on the definition of tempo would facilitate between-study comparisons.
Topics: Adiposity; Adolescent; Adolescent Health; Adult; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Menarche; Puberty; Young Adult
PubMed: 31730292
DOI: 10.1111/apa.15092 -
Current Opinion in Pediatrics Aug 2020Health status is the result of complex interaction between individual factors, general environmental factors and specific factors as nutrition or the presence of... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Health status is the result of complex interaction between individual factors, general environmental factors and specific factors as nutrition or the presence of chemicals. Aim of this review is to point out the more recent knowledge covering the role of the endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) on pediatric population wellbeing.
RECENT FINDINGS
Prenatal, postnatal life and puberty are the three main temporal windows of susceptibility when EDCs may act. The mechanism is independent from dose or duration of exposition, sex, age or combination of chemicals and may also be transgenerational, affecting both growth and pubertal timing. A window of susceptibility for breast cancer has been detected. Thyroid gland is influenced by environmental chemicals, both in utero and during childhood. Alteration in Thyrotropin stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and neurodevelopmental impairment have been demonstrate. It has been detected a pro-obesogenic action of specific chemicals, impairing also glucose homeostasis during childhood.
SUMMARY
With a multidisciplinary approach and the use of big data platforms, an attempt has to be made to verify biological variations related to a disease, and how much the risk is influenced by the presence of the endocrine disruptors. This may help the future generation to better interpret uncommunicable diseases.
Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Child; Endocrine Disruptors; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Puberty; Thyroid Gland
PubMed: 32692053
DOI: 10.1097/MOP.0000000000000926 -
Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent... Oct 2022Given the global secular declining trends of the age at puberty and its relevant mechanisms, as illustrated in the first part of this series, the present part will... (Review)
Review
Given the global secular declining trends of the age at puberty and its relevant mechanisms, as illustrated in the first part of this series, the present part will discuss the public health implications of early puberty and potential clinical and public health measures. Although the major effect of earlier maturation impacts adolescents' mental health and likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors, there are also effects in adulthood on cardiometabolic health, especially type 2 diabetes, and an increased risk of certain cancers, especially hormone-related cancers such as breast cancer. The paper ends with recommendations for clinical management, especially for girls who should receive further evaluation, as well as recommendations for the patient and her family and public health considerations.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Female; Hormones; Humans; Iatrogenic Disease; Puberty; Puberty, Precocious
PubMed: 35644513
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2022.05.005 -
Brain Research Bulletin Aug 2023Illness is often predicated long before the manifestation of its symptoms. Exposure to stressful experiences particularly during critical periods of development, such as... (Review)
Review
Illness is often predicated long before the manifestation of its symptoms. Exposure to stressful experiences particularly during critical periods of development, such as puberty and adolescence, can induce various physical and mental illnesses. Puberty is a critical period of maturation for neuroendocrine systems, such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes. Exposure to adverse experiences during puberty can impede normal brain reorganizing and remodelling and result in enduring consequences on brain functioning and behaviour. Stress responsivity differs between the sexes during the pubertal period. This sex difference is partly due to differences in circulating sex hormones between males and females, impacting stress and immune responses differently. The effects of stress during puberty on physical and mental health remains under-examined. The purpose of this review is to summarize the most recent findings pertaining to age and sex differences in HPA axis, HPG axis, and immune system development, and describe how disruption in the functioning of these systems can propagate disease. Lastly, we delve into the notable neuroimmune contributions, sex differences, and the mediating role of the gut microbiome on stress and health outcomes. Understanding the enduring consequences of adverse experiences during puberty on physical and mental health will allow a greater proficiency in treating and preventing stress-related diseases early in development.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Male; Female; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Pituitary-Adrenal System; Puberty; Sex Characteristics; Brain
PubMed: 37422090
DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110701 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023Noonan syndrome (NS) is a genetic multisystem disorder characterised by variable clinical manifestations including dysmorphic facial features, short stature, congenital...
BACKGROUND
Noonan syndrome (NS) is a genetic multisystem disorder characterised by variable clinical manifestations including dysmorphic facial features, short stature, congenital heart disease, renal anomalies, lymphatic malformations, chest deformities, cryptorchidism in males.
METHODS
In this narrative review, we summarized the available data on puberty and gonadal function in NS subjects and the role of the RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway in fertility. In addition, we have reported our personal experience on pubertal development and vertical transmission in NS.
CONCLUSIONS
According to the literature and to our experience, NS patients seem to have a delay in puberty onset compared to the physiological timing reported in healthy children. Males with NS seem to be at risk of gonadal dysfunction secondary not only to cryptorchidism but also to other underlying developmental factors including the MAP/MAPK pathway and genetics. Long-term data on a large cohort of males and females with NS are needed to better understand the impact of delayed puberty on adult height, metabolic profile and well-being. The role of genetic counselling and fertility related-issues is crucial.
Topics: Male; Child; Adult; Female; Humans; Noonan Syndrome; Cryptorchidism; Gonads; Puberty; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
PubMed: 37576960
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1213098 -
Endocrinology Jan 2021Puberty is a developmental period characterized by a broad range of physiologic changes necessary for the acquisition of adult sexual and reproductive maturity. These... (Review)
Review
Puberty is a developmental period characterized by a broad range of physiologic changes necessary for the acquisition of adult sexual and reproductive maturity. These changes mirror complex modifications within the central nervous system, including within the hypothalamus. These modifications result in the maturation of a fully active hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, the neuroendocrine cascade ensuring gonadal activation, sex steroid secretion, and gametogenesis. A complex and finely regulated neural network overseeing the HPG axis, particularly the pubertal reactivation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion, has been progressively unveiled in the last 3 decades. This network includes kisspeptin, neurokinin B, GABAergic, and glutamatergic neurons as well as glial cells. In addition to substantial modifications in the expression of key targets, several changes in neuronal morphology, neural connections, and synapse organization occur to establish mature and coordinated neurohormonal secretion, leading to puberty initiation. The aim of this review is to outline the current knowledge of the major changes that neurons secreting GnRH and their neuronal and glial partners undergo before and after puberty. Emerging mediators upstream of GnRH, uncovered in recent years, are also addressed herein. In addition, the effects of sex steroids, particularly estradiol, on changes in hypothalamic neurodevelopment and plasticity are discussed.
Topics: Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Hypothalamus; Neuronal Plasticity; Neurons; Puberty
PubMed: 33175140
DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa209 -
Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology Sep 2020Onset of puberty, as defined by breast stage 2, appears to be starting at younger ages since the 1940s. There is an ongoing controversy regarding what is normative, as... (Review)
Review
Onset of puberty, as defined by breast stage 2, appears to be starting at younger ages since the 1940s. There is an ongoing controversy regarding what is normative, as well as what is normal, and the evaluation that is deemed necessary for girls maturing before 8 years of age. There are potential implications of earlier pubertal timing, including psychosocial consequences during adolescence, as well as longer term risks, such as breast cancer and cardiometabolic risks. There are additional consequences derived from slower pubertal tempo, for age of menarche has not decreased as much as age of breast development; these include longer interval between sexual initiation and intentional childbearing, as well as a broadened window of susceptibility to endocrine-related cancers.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Development; Body Mass Index; Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Cardiometabolic Risk Factors; Child; Female; Humans; Menarche; Psychology; Puberty; Puberty, Precocious; Sexual Maturation
PubMed: 32482957
DOI: 10.1097/GRF.0000000000000537 -
Aktuelle Urologie Apr 2023
Topics: Male; Humans; Hypospadias; Puberty
PubMed: 37019133
DOI: 10.1055/a-1946-3042 -
Current Opinion in Endocrinology,... Feb 2020To discuss treatments used to enhance growth in pediatric patients with short stature. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
To discuss treatments used to enhance growth in pediatric patients with short stature.
RECENT FINDINGS
New data confirm the known efficacy of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and idiopathic short stature. The latest data from the Safety and Appropriateness of Growth hormone Treatment in Europe cohort did not indicate a long-term risk of malignancy in those treated for isolated GHD, but possibly increased risk in those with other diagnoses. Recombinant human insulin-like growth factor 1 is effective in treating patients with pregnancy-associated plasma protein A2 deficiency. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists or aromatase inhibitor treatment to delay puberty remains controversial. They are more likely to augment adult height if combined with rhGH treatment in children already receiving rhGH. Preliminary data indicate that recombinant C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is safe in children and increases growth velocity upon 42 months of treatment in achondroplasia.
SUMMARY
Recent data confirms previous data on rhGH efficacy and safety. Therapies to delay growth plate closure have greatest efficacy to augment height if combined with GH in select diagnoses. Recombinant CNP holds promise as a medical treatment for short stature associated with achondroplasia.
Topics: Adult; Body Height; Child; Dwarfism, Pituitary; Endocrinology; Europe; Growth Disorders; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Human Growth Hormone; Humans; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Puberty; Recombinant Proteins
PubMed: 31789832
DOI: 10.1097/MED.0000000000000513 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2022Puberty is a critical process characterized by several physical and psychological changes that culminate in the achievement of sexual maturation and fertility. The onset... (Review)
Review
Puberty is a critical process characterized by several physical and psychological changes that culminate in the achievement of sexual maturation and fertility. The onset of puberty depends on several incompletely understood mechanisms that certainly involve gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and its effects on the pituitary gland. The role of makorin ring finger protein 3 (MKRN3) in the regulation of pubertal timing was revealed when loss-of-function mutations were identified in patients with central precocious puberty (CPP), which to date, represent the most commonly known genetic cause of this condition. The gene showed ubiquitous expression in tissues from a broad spectrum of species, suggesting an important cellular role. Its involvement in the initiation of puberty and endocrine functions has just begun to be studied. This review discusses some of the recent approaches developed to predict MKRN3 functions and its involvement in pubertal development.
Topics: Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Puberty; Puberty, Precocious; Ribonucleoproteins; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
PubMed: 36187104
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.991322