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Developmental Science Jan 2021Risk for adverse outcomes, including the onset of mental illness, increases during adolescence. This increase may be linked to both new exposures, such as violence at...
Risk for adverse outcomes, including the onset of mental illness, increases during adolescence. This increase may be linked to both new exposures, such as violence at home or in the community, or to physiological changes driven by puberty. There are significant sex differences in adolescent risk, for instance, anxiety disorders are significantly more prevalent in girls than boys. Fear learning is linked to mental health and may develop during adolescence, but the role of puberty in adolescent-specific change has not yet been systematically evaluated. We conducted a longitudinal study of fear learning that tested fear-potentiated startle (FPS) in 78 children (40 girls) aged 8-16 years. Participants completed two to three visits that included a differential fear conditioning task and self-report of both pubertal status and violence exposure. We tested for effects of sex, pubertal status, and violence exposure on FPS over time with latent growth curve models. We also examined the association between FPS and later anxiety symptoms. We found significant changes in FPS to the threat cue, but not the safety cue, across visits. Higher pubertal status was significantly associated with increased FPS to threat cues at each visit, whereas sex and violence exposure were not. FPS to threat during the baseline visit also predicted later anxiety symptoms. These findings suggest that puberty drives increased fear response to threat cues similarly for girls and boys, and that this effect may not be significantly impacted by individual differences in violence exposure during early adolescence.
Topics: Adolescent; Anxiety; Child; Fear; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Puberty; Reflex, Startle
PubMed: 32497415
DOI: 10.1111/desc.13000 -
American Journal of Epidemiology Nov 2022Earlier puberty has been associated with numerous adverse mental, emotional, and physical health outcomes. Obesity is a known risk factor for earlier puberty in girls,...
Earlier puberty has been associated with numerous adverse mental, emotional, and physical health outcomes. Obesity is a known risk factor for earlier puberty in girls, but research with boys has yielded inconsistent findings. We examined sex- and race/ethnicity-specific associations between childhood obesity and puberty in a multiethnic cohort of 129,824 adolescents born at a Kaiser Permanente Northern California medical facility between 2003 and 2011. We used Weibull regression models to explore associations between childhood obesity and breast development onset (thelarche) in girls, testicular enlargement onset (gonadarche) in boys, and pubic hair development onset (pubarche) in both sexes, adjusting for important confounders. Clear dose-response relationships were observed. Boys with severe obesity had the greatest risk for earlier gonadarche (hazard ratio = 1.23, 95% confidence limit: 1.15, 1.32) and pubarche (hazard ratio = 1.44, 95% confidence limit: 1.34, 1.55), while underweight boys had delayed puberty compared with peers with normal body mass index. A similar dose-response relationship was observed in girls. There were significant interactions between childhood body mass index and race/ethnicity. Childhood obesity is associated with earlier puberty in both boys and girls, and the magnitude of the associations may vary by race/ethnicity. Prevention of childhood obesity may delay pubertal timing and mitigate health risks associated with both conditions.
Topics: Adolescent; Male; Female; Child; Humans; Pediatric Obesity; Ethnicity; Puberty; Body Mass Index; Puberty, Precocious
PubMed: 35998084
DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwac148 -
Journal of Child Psychology and... Dec 2022Nearly all developmental studies of youth psychopathology assess the effects of age on risk factor-youth outcomes, yet very few examine the effects of pubertal...
Nearly all developmental studies of youth psychopathology assess the effects of age on risk factor-youth outcomes, yet very few examine the effects of pubertal development on developmental trajectories. Growing evidence underscores the importance of both stages of puberty (adrenarche and gonadarche) in risk for psychopathology and the need to consider these developmental stages as predictors and moderators of mental health outcomes and trajectories. The purpose of this Editorial is to provide examples of this evidence and highlight gaps in our literature base as well as opportunities for future research.
Topics: Child; Adolescent; Humans; Family; Puberty; Psychopathology; Mental Disorders
PubMed: 36412997
DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13722 -
The Journal of Endocrinology Sep 2022Girls with obesity are at increased risk of early puberty. Obesity is associated with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. We hypothesized that insulin plays a...
Girls with obesity are at increased risk of early puberty. Obesity is associated with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. We hypothesized that insulin plays a physiological role in pubertal transition, and super-imposed hyperinsulinemia due to childhood obesity promotes early initiation of puberty in girls. To isolate the effect of hyperinsulinemia from adiposity, we compared pre-pubertal and pubertal states in hyperinsulinemic, lean muscle (M)-insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R)-lysine (K)-arginine (R) (MKR) mice to normoinsulinemic WT, with puberty onset defined by vaginal opening (VO). Our results show MKR had greater insulin resistance and higher insulin levels (P < 0.05) than WT despite lower body weight (P < 0.0001) and similar IGF-1 levels (P = NS). Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were higher in hyperinsulinemic MKR (P = 0.005), and insulin stimulation induced an increase in LH levels in WT. VO was earlier in hyperinsulinemic MKR vs WT (P < 0.0001). When compared on the day of VO, kisspeptin expression was higher in hyperinsulinemic MKR vs WT (P < 0.05), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone and insulin receptor isoform expression was similar (P = NS). Despite accelerated VO, MKR had delayed, disordered ovarian follicle and mammary gland development. In conclusion, we found that hyperinsulinemia alone without adiposity triggers earlier puberty. In our study, hyperinsulinemia also promoted dyssynchrony between pubertal initiation and progression, urging future studies in girls with obesity to assess alterations in transition to adulthood.
Topics: Animals; Female; Humans; Hyperinsulinism; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Mice; Pediatric Obesity; Puberty
PubMed: 35904489
DOI: 10.1530/JOE-21-0447 -
BMC Microbiology Nov 2020The make-up of gut microbiota at different puberty stages has not been reported. This cross-sectional study analyzed the bio-diversity of gut microbiota at different...
BACKGROUND
The make-up of gut microbiota at different puberty stages has not been reported. This cross-sectional study analyzed the bio-diversity of gut microbiota at different puberty stages.
RESULT
The subjects (aged 5-15 years) were divided into non-pubertal (n = 42, male%: 66.7%) or pubertal groups (n = 47, male%:44.68); in both groups, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phylum. There was no difference of alpha- and beta-diversity among disparate puberty stages. Non-pubertal subjects had members of the order Clostridiales, family Clostridiaceae, genus Coprobacillus which were significantly more prevalent than puberty subjects. Also, the pubertal subjects had members of class Betaproteobacteria, order Burkholderiales which were significantly more prevalent than the non-pubertal subjects. Their relative abundance was independent of BMI-Z. In the pubertal subjects, the abundance of genus Adlercreutzia, Ruminococcus, Dorea, Clostridium and Parabacteroides was associated with the level of testosterone.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report of the diversity of gut microbiota at different puberty stages. The various species of gut microbiota changed gradually associated with puberty stages. Differences in gut microflora at different pubertal status may be related to androgen levels.
Topics: Adolescent; Bacteria; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Male; Puberty; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Testosterone
PubMed: 33143658
DOI: 10.1186/s12866-020-02021-0 -
Journal of Clinical Research in... Aug 2022Early puberty is development of secondary sex characteristics earlier than the expected normal age range. We subjectively observed an increased frequency of early...
OBJECTIVE
Early puberty is development of secondary sex characteristics earlier than the expected normal age range. We subjectively observed an increased frequency of early puberty during the Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) lockdown and aimed to show the clinical, demographic characteristics of the cases and the change in its incidence.
METHODS
Female patients with central precocious puberty (CPP, n=28) and rapidly progressive early puberty (RPEP, n=61), presenting to our clinic before (January 2019-March 2020) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020-June 2021) were included.
RESULTS
Among 28 CPP cases, six (21%) presented before the pandemic lockdown, whereas 22 (79%) were diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. While RPEP was seen in 16 (26%) patients before the pandemic, 45 (74%) patients were diagnosed during the lockdown period. Presentation with menarche was seen in 15 RPEP patients; two (13%) were in the prepandemic period and 13 (87%) were in the lockdown period. Chronological age, bone age, bone age to chronological age ratio, height, weight, and body mass index standard deviation scores of patients with RPEP and CPP were similar between the prepandemic and pandemic period.
CONCLUSION
In this cohort, the frequency of CPP and RPP cases were significantly (p<0.001) increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly due to environmental changes.
Topics: COVID-19; Communicable Disease Control; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Menarche; Pandemics; Puberty, Precocious
PubMed: 35633642
DOI: 10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2022.2022-12-11 -
Developmental Psychobiology Dec 2022In cross-sectional analyses, early institutional care is associated with shorter stature but not obesity during puberty in children adopted into US families. We examined...
In cross-sectional analyses, early institutional care is associated with shorter stature but not obesity during puberty in children adopted into US families. We examined whether shorter stature and leaner body composition in youth adopted internationally from institutions would continue as puberty progressed. We also examined whether current psychosocial stress would moderate the association between early institutional deprivation and growth during adolescence. Using an accelerated longitudinal design and linear mixed-effects models, we examined the height and body mass index (BMI) of 132 previously institutionalized (PI) and 176 nonadopted (NA) youth. We examined youth aged 7-15 at the beginning of the study three times across 2 years. Nurses assessed anthropometrics and pubertal status. Current psychosocial stress was measured using the Youth Life Stress Interview. Our results indicated that PI youth remained shorter and leaner across three assessments than NA youth. However, age-and-sex-adjusted BMI increased faster in PI youth. Psychosocial stress during puberty predicted greater age-and-sex-adjusted BMI, but this effect did not differ by group. The gap in BMI but not height appears to close between PI and NA youth. Higher psychosocial stress was associated with higher BMI during puberty.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Humans; Body Mass Index; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Puberty; Body Height
PubMed: 36426791
DOI: 10.1002/dev.22342 -
Breast Cancer Research : BCR Mar 2024Breast density (BD) is a strong risk factor for breast cancer. Little is known about how BD develops during puberty. Understanding BD trajectories during puberty and its...
BACKGROUND
Breast density (BD) is a strong risk factor for breast cancer. Little is known about how BD develops during puberty. Understanding BD trajectories during puberty and its determinants could be crucial for promoting preventive actions against breast cancer (BC) at early ages. The objective of this research is to characterize % fibroglandular volume (%FGV), absolute fibroglandular volume (AFGV), and breast volume (BV) at different breast Tanner stages until 4-year post menarche in a Latino cohort and to assess determinants of high %FGV and AFGV during puberty and in a fully mature breast.
METHODS
This is a longitudinal follow-up of 509 girls from low-middle socioeconomic status of the Southeast area of Santiago, recruited at a mean age of 3.5 years. The inclusion criteria were singleton birth born, birthweight between 2500 and 4500 g with no medical or mental disorder. A trained dietitian measured weight and height since 3.5 years old and sexual maturation from 8 years old (breast Tanner stages and age at menarche onset). Using standardized methods, BD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in various developmental periods (breast Tanner stage B1 until 4 years after menarche onset).
RESULTS
In the 509 girls, we collected 1,442 breast DXA scans; the mean age at Tanner B4 was 11.3 years. %FGV increased across breast Tanner stages and peaked 250 days after menarche. AFGV and BV peaked 2 years after menarche onset. Girls in the highest quartiles of %FGV, AFGV, and BV at Tanner B4 and B5 before menarche onset had the highest values thereafter until 4 years after menarche onset. The most important determinants of %FGV and AFGV variability were BMI z-score (R = 44%) and time since menarche (R = 42%), respectively.
CONCLUSION
We characterize the breast development during puberty, a critical window of susceptibility. Although the onset of menarche is a key milestone for breast development, we observed that girls in the highest quartiles of %FGV and AFGV tracked in that group afterwards. Following these participants in adulthood would be of interest to understand the changes in breast composition during this period and its potential link with BC risk.
Topics: Female; Humans; Child, Preschool; Child; Cohort Studies; Breast Neoplasms; Chile; Puberty; Menarche; Obesity
PubMed: 38475816
DOI: 10.1186/s13058-024-01793-x -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Jun 2022Hormone reference intervals in pediatric endocrinology are traditionally partitioned by age and lack the framework for benchmarking individual blood test results as...
CONTEXT
Hormone reference intervals in pediatric endocrinology are traditionally partitioned by age and lack the framework for benchmarking individual blood test results as normalized z-scores and plotting sequential measurements onto a chart. Reference curve modeling is applicable to endocrine variables and represents a standardized method to account for variation with gender and age.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to establish gender-specific biomarker reference curves for clinical use and benchmark associations between hormones, pubertal phenotype, and body mass index (BMI).
METHODS
Using cross-sectional population sample data from 2139 healthy Norwegian children and adolescents, we analyzed the pubertal status, ultrasound measures of glandular breast tissue (girls) and testicular volume (boys), BMI, and laboratory measurements of 17 clinical biomarkers modeled using the established "LMS" growth chart algorithm in R.
RESULTS
Reference curves for puberty hormones and pertinent biomarkers were modeled to adjust for age and gender. Z-score equivalents of biomarker levels and anthropometric measurements were compiled in a comprehensive beta coefficient matrix for each gender. Excerpted from this analysis and independently of age, BMI was positively associated with female glandular breast volume (β = 0.5, P < 0.001) and leptin (β = 0.6, P < 0.001), and inversely correlated with serum levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) (β = -0.4, P < 0.001). Biomarker z-score profiles differed significantly between cohort subgroups stratified by puberty phenotype and BMI weight class.
CONCLUSION
Biomarker reference curves and corresponding z-scores provide an intuitive framework for clinical implementation in pediatric endocrinology and facilitate the application of machine learning classification and covariate precision medicine for pediatric patients.
Topics: Adolescent; Biomarkers; Body Mass Index; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Growth Charts; Humans; Puberty; Reference Values
PubMed: 35299255
DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac155 -
Nutrients Jan 2021Puberty is a crucial developmental stage in the life span, necessary to achieve reproductive and somatic maturity. Timing of puberty is modulated by and responds to... (Review)
Review
Puberty is a crucial developmental stage in the life span, necessary to achieve reproductive and somatic maturity. Timing of puberty is modulated by and responds to central neurotransmitters, hormones, and environmental factors leading to hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis maturation. The connection between hormones and nutrition during critical periods of growth, like fetal life or infancy, is fundamental for metabolic adaptation response and pubertal development control and prediction. Since birth weight is an important indicator of growth estimation during fetal life, restricted prenatal growth, such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and small for gestational age (SGA), may impact endocrine system, affecting pubertal development. Successively, lactation along with early life optimal nutrition during infancy and childhood may be important in order to set up timing of sexual maturation and provide successful reproduction at a later time. Sexual maturation and healthy growth are also influenced by nutrition requirements and diet composition. Early nutritional surveillance and monitoring of pubertal development is recommended in all children, particularly in those at risk, such as the ones born SGA and/or IUGR, as well as in the case of sudden weight gain during infancy. Adequate macro and micronutrient intake is essential for healthy growth and sexual maturity.
Topics: Child; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Fetus; Humans; Infant; Nutritional Status; Puberty; Sexual Maturation; Time Factors
PubMed: 33525559
DOI: 10.3390/nu13020419