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Journal of Pediatric Nursing 2022Precocious puberty (PP) is an illness that appears when puberty, begins some years earlier than usual, provoking inferences in preadolescents and adolescents and their... (Review)
Review
PROBLEM
Precocious puberty (PP) is an illness that appears when puberty, begins some years earlier than usual, provoking inferences in preadolescents and adolescents and their families. Therefore, the aim is to analyze if psychological consequences can be observed in groups of preadolescents or adolescents with PP.
METHOD
A bibliographic search of the scientific literature was made following the PRISMA guide in the following databases: ProQuest, Psychinfo, Web Of Science, and Scopus. 592 studies were found, were uploaded to Covidence to make a screening, of which finally 6 were included for the revision according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two independent evaluators made the search, selection, data extraction and quality evaluation of studies independently. The agreement degree between both was excellent in all of the cases.
RESULTS
211 preadolescents participated in total in all studies, of which 99 were preadolescents with PP, with a mean age of 8,94 years old. Studies evaluated so heterogeneous variables, such as psychopathology, self-image, neuropsychological and cognitive variables, and reasons to delay or stop PP. The quality of studies was moderated especially due to the low quality of the studies design, which were mostly transversal, and the representativity of the sample, being selected by convenience.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
More research is needed to evaluate the psychological consequences of the PP diagnosis in pediatrics, and its protection factors, because none of the studies approached this question. We consider that it is necessary to increment the quality of these studies, and that these take a biopsychosocial perspective.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Humans; Puberty; Puberty, Precocious; Self Concept
PubMed: 35033399
DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2022.01.002 -
Biology of Sex Differences 2017Gender-specific differences in hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity have been postulated to emerge during puberty. We conducted a systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Gender-specific differences in hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity have been postulated to emerge during puberty. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to test the hypothesis that gender-specific differences in HPA axis activity are already present in childhood.
METHODS
From inception to January 2016, PubMed and EMBASE.com were searched for studies that assessed non-stimulated cortisol in serum or saliva or cortisol in 24-h urine in healthy males and females aged ≤18 years. Studies that conform with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement were reported. Standardized mean differences (95% CIs) were calculated and analyzed using fixed-effect meta-analysis stratified for age: <8 years (prepubertal) and 8-18 years (peri-/postpubertal). For comparison, we ran the same analyses using random-effects models.
RESULTS
Two independent assessors selected 413 out of 6158 records (7%) for full-text screening, of which 79 articles were included. Of these, 58 (with data on 16,551 subjects) were included in the meta-analysis. Gender differences in cortisol metabolism differed per age group. Boys aged <8 years had 0.18 (0.06; 0.30) nmol/L higher serum and 0.21 (0.05; 0.37) nmol/L higher salivary cortisol levels, while between 8 and 18 years, boys had 0.34 (0.28; 0.40) nmol/L lower serum and 0.42 (0.38; 0.47) nmol/L lower salivary cortisol levels. In 24-h urine, cortisol was consistently higher in boys, being 0.34 (0.05; 0.64) and 0.32 (0.17; 0.47) μg/24 h higher in the <8- and 8-18-year groups, respectively. However, gender-differences in serum cortisol <8 years and between 8 and 18 years were absent when using random-effects models.
CONCLUSIONS
Gender differences in cortisol metabolism are already present in childhood, with higher salivary cortisol in boys aged <8 years compared to girls. This pattern was reversed after the age of 8 years. In contrast, the gender-specific difference in cortisol production as assessed through 24-h urine did not change with age. Although differences were small, and analyses of gender differences in serum cortisol were inconclusive, they might contribute to gender-specific origins of health and disease.
Topics: Child; Humans; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Pituitary-Adrenal System; Sex Characteristics
PubMed: 28116043
DOI: 10.1186/s13293-016-0123-5 -
Journal of Functional Morphology and... Dec 2023A healthy lifestyle from early childhood is a crucial factor that influences bone-related factors in adulthood. In this context, physical education or psychomotricity... (Review)
Review
A healthy lifestyle from early childhood is a crucial factor that influences bone-related factors in adulthood. In this context, physical education or psychomotricity from early childhood is an important opportunity to face this problem. The present article aims to systematically summarize school-based interventions, evaluated through randomized controlled trial design, that influence the bones of children from early childhood. A systematic review of relevant articles was carried out using four main databases (PubMed, ProQuest Central (including 26 databases), Scopus, and Web of Sciences) until 12 November 2023. From a total of 42 studies initially found, 12 were included in the qualitative synthesis. In brief terms, from early childhood and during puberty, children's bones are particularly responsive to exercise, making this an ideal time for interventions to maximize bone health. Therefore, incorporating physical activity into school curriculums is a strategic approach for enhancing bone health in children. Mainly, plyometric exercises can significantly enhance bone density and geometry. Nevertheless, collaboration among educators, healthcare professionals, and parents is key for designing and implementing these effective interventions.
PubMed: 38535411
DOI: 10.3390/jfmk9010002 -
BioMed Research International 2014The acceleration of pubertal development is an important medical and social problem, as it may result in increased morbidity and mortality in later life. This systematic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The acceleration of pubertal development is an important medical and social problem, as it may result in increased morbidity and mortality in later life. This systematic review summarizes relevant data about nongenetic factors, which contribute to age at menarche (AAM), and suggests those which may be the most important.
METHODS
The available literature from 1980 till July 2013 was searched using PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Finally, 154 papers were selected for the analysis.
RESULTS
Environmental factors, which may affect AAM, vary in populations of different ethnicity. The prenatal, infancy, and early childhood periods are the most susceptible to these factors. Body weight, high animal protein intake, family stressors (e.g., single parenting), and physical activity seem to influence AAM in most populations.
CONCLUSIONS
The data about influence of nongenetic factors on AAM are still inconsistent. The factors affecting prenatal and early childhood growth seem to have a larger effect on further sexual maturation. Further studies are needed in order to validate the association between other environmental determinants and AAM in different ethnical groups.
Topics: Adolescent; Age Factors; Birth Weight; Breast Feeding; Child; Ethnicity; Female; Humans; Menarche; Motor Activity; Pregnancy; Weight Gain
PubMed: 25050345
DOI: 10.1155/2014/371583 -
PloS One 2017Adolescent girls aged 15-19 bear a disproportionate burden of negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Research from several... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Adolescent girls aged 15-19 bear a disproportionate burden of negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Research from several high-income countries suggests that early age at menarche is an important determinant of sexual and reproductive health. We conducted this systematic review to better understand whether and how early menarche is associated with various negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries and the implications of such associations.
METHODS
We systematically searched eight health and social sciences databases for peer-reviewed literature on menarche and sexual and reproductive health in low- and middle-income countries. Two reviewers independently assessed all studies for inclusion, overall quality and risk of bias, and performed data extraction on all included studies.
RESULTS
Twenty-four articles met all inclusion criteria-nine of moderate quality and fifteen with several methodological weaknesses. Our review of the minimal existing literature showed that early menarche is associated with early sexual initiation, early pregnancy and some sexually transmitted infections in low- and middle-income countries, similar to what has been observed in high-income countries. Early menarche is also associated with early marriage-an association that may have particularly important implications for countries with high child marriage rates.
CONCLUSIONS
Early age at menarche may be an important factor affecting the sexual and reproductive health of adolescent girls and young women in low- and middle-income countries. More research is needed to confirm the existence of the identified associations across different settings and to better understand the process through which early menarche and other markers of early pubertal development may contribute to the increased vulnerability of girls to negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Given the association of early menarche with early marriage, ongoing efforts to reduce child marriage may benefit from targeting efforts to early maturing girls.
Topics: Adolescent; Developing Countries; Female; Humans; Income; Marriage; Menarche; Pregnancy; Reproductive Health; Sexual Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases
PubMed: 28591132
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178884 -
African Health Sciences Dec 2016Adolescence is considered a critical period marked by an increase in energy intake to meet the body's physiological needs especially during puberty. This study reviews... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Adolescence is considered a critical period marked by an increase in energy intake to meet the body's physiological needs especially during puberty. This study reviews existing literature and critically analyses factors associated with eating habits and energy intake of adolescent girls.
METHODS
A comprehensive search was conducted to identify at least 200 peer reviewed articles which dealt with the factors affecting energy intake (EI) and eating habits of adolescent girls. Studies were identified using a reference period between 1994 and 2016, based primarily on the PubMed/ CINL/ Science Direct/Google Scholar databases using keywords adolescent/ teenagers, factors/determinants and energy intake.
RESULTS
No studies investigated all factors affecting energy intake among adolescents. Some studies found mixed association among the determinants of EI in adolescent girls. However, a number of reviews confirm that many factors namely physical activity level, socio-economic status, diet, individual and social factors do contribute to either a higher or a lower EI of adolescents.
CONCLUSION
There is a dire need to consider factors associated with EI when designing nutritional intervention programs to prevent health problems in adulthood. The goal is not to change behavior of all but to increase the percentage of people adopting healthier lifestyle.
Topics: Adolescent; Body Image; Cross-Sectional Studies; Culture; Diet; Energy Intake; Environment; Exercise; Family Relations; Feeding Behavior; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Status; Humans; Mass Media; Socioeconomic Factors
PubMed: 28479881
DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v16i4.5 -
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology Feb 2017The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased steadily worldwide, both in adult and in children; approximately 25% of IBD patients are diagnosed before... (Review)
Review
The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased steadily worldwide, both in adult and in children; approximately 25% of IBD patients are diagnosed before the age of 18. The natural history of IBD is usually more severe in children than in adults, and can be associated with linear growth impairment, delayed puberty onset, reduced bone mass index, malnutrition, and the need for surgery. Biological therapies, especially blocking tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), have radically modified the treatment strategies and disease course of IBD in children. In particular, drugs such as Infliximab and Adalimumab are routinely used in the treatment of pediatric IBD. The role of Infliximab and Adalimumab in the management of pediatric IBD has been recently updated in the Consensus guidelines of ECCO/ESPGHAN. Data regarding short-term and long-term efficacy and safety of these drugs in children, and the effects of "top-down" and "step-up" strategies, are lacking. In this paper, the authors will review current indications, efficacy, and safety of biological therapy in pediatric IBD patients, evaluating all articles published after ECCO/ESPGHAN guidelines publication. The authors carried out a systematic search through MEDLINE through PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/) Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and gray literature, from January 2013 to January 2016. Anti-TNFα has been shown to be effective and safe to maintain remission and to achieve mucosal healing. Multicenter trials based on large sample size cohorts are needed to better clarify long-term efficacy of anti-TNFα and the real incidence of treatment-related complications in pediatric IBD.
Topics: Adalimumab; Adolescent; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Biological Products; Child; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Infliximab; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 27636407
DOI: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000000696 -
Clinical Endocrinology May 2021To investigate the long-term efficacy and safety of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa) treatment in children with idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Long-term efficacy and safety of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog treatment in children with idiopathic central precocious puberty: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the long-term efficacy and safety of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa) treatment in children with idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP).
METHOD
The protocol was registered with International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42018102792). PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched for eligible comparative and single-arm studies.
RESULTS
We identified a total of 98 studies that included 5475 individuals. The overall risk of bias of the eligible studies ranged from critical to moderate. The overall quality of evidence for each outcome ranged from very low to moderate. Evidence-based comparative studies showed that GnRHa treatment increase final adult height (FAH, cm; studies = 4, n = 242; mean difference [MD] = 4.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.32 to 7.34; I = 49%) and decrease body mass index (BMI, kg/m ; studies = 3, n = 334; MD = -1.01; 95% CI, -1.64 to -0.37; I = 0%) in girls with idiopathic CPP compared with no treatment. The incidence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) did not significantly differ with and without GnRHa treatment (studies = 3, n = 179; risk ratio = 1.21; 95% CI, 0.46 to 3.15; I = 48%). The evidence for other long-term outcomes was very weak to deduce the effects of GnRHa treatment. Further, limited evidence is available on its effects in boys.
CONCLUSION
Compared with no treatment, evidence indicates that GnRHa treatment increase FAH and decrease BMI in girls with idiopathic CPP. GnRHa treatment did not evidently increase the risk of PCOS. However, evidence regarding other key long-term outcomes (such as infertility and malignant or metabolic diseases) was considered very weak to suggest the benefits or side effects of GnRHa treatment. Additional high-quality evidence is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
Topics: Body Height; Child; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Male; Puberty, Precocious
PubMed: 33387371
DOI: 10.1111/cen.14410 -
International Journal of General... 2023Challenges in selecting the right formulation of testosterone (TE) for young males with delayed puberty (DP) arise from the fact that there is limited evidence based... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Challenges in selecting the right formulation of testosterone (TE) for young males with delayed puberty (DP) arise from the fact that there is limited evidence based guidelines in recommending the most efficient and safe formulation of TE.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the existing evidence and systematically review the interventional effects of transdermal TE to other modes of TE administration for the treatment of DP among young and adolescent males.
METHODS
All types of methodologies published in English were searched from the data sources including MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Reviews, Web of Science, AMED and Scopus from 2015 till 2022. Boolean operators with keywords "types of TE", "modes of TE administration", "DP", "transdermal TE", "constitutional delay of growth and puberty, (CDGP)" "adolescent boys" and "hypogonadism" to optimize the search results. The main outcomes of concern were optimal serum TE level, body mass index, height velocity, testicular volume, pubertal stage (Tanner), The secondary outcomes included in this study were adverse events and patient satisfaction.
RESULTS
After screening 126 articles, 39 full texts were reviewed. Only five studies could be included after careful screening and rigid quality assessments. Most studies were at high or unclear risk of bias with short duration and follow up periods. Only one study was a clinical trial covering all the outcomes of interests.
CONCLUSION
This study points out the favorable effects of transdermal TE treatment for DP in boys, while the existence of the vast gap in research needs to be acknowledged. Despite the utmost demand in an appropriate TE treatment for young males with DP, scarce efforts and trials are being undertaken to provide clear clinical guidance of treatment. Quality of life, cardiac events, metabolic parameters, coagulation profiles are important aspects of the treatment are overlooked and under evaluated in most studies.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD 42022369699.
PubMed: 36872942
DOI: 10.2147/IJGM.S396144 -
PloS One 2018Life-course studies are needed to explore how exposures during adolescence, particularly puberty, contribute to later cardiovascular risk and cognitive health in low and... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Life-course studies are needed to explore how exposures during adolescence, particularly puberty, contribute to later cardiovascular risk and cognitive health in low and middle-income countries (LMIC), where 90% of the world's young people live. The extent of any existing cohorts investigating these outcomes in LMIC has not previously been described.
METHODS
We performed a systematic literature review to identify population cohort studies of adolescents in LMIC that assessed anthropometry and any of cardiovascular risk (blood pressure, physical activity, plasma glucose/lipid profile and substance misuse), puberty (age at menarche, Tanner staging, or other form of pubertal staging) or cognitive outcomes. Studies that recruited participants on the basis of a pre-existing condition or involved less than 500 young people were excluded.
FINDINGS
1829 studies were identified, and 24 cohorts fulfilled inclusion criteria based in Asia (10), Africa (6) and South / Central America (8). 14 (58%) of cohorts identified were based in one of four countries; India, Brazil, Vietnam or Ethiopia. Only 2 cohorts included a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment, tanner pubertal staging, and cognitive outcomes.
CONCLUSION
Improved utilisation of existing datasets and additional cohort studies of adolescents in LMIC that collect contemporaneous measures of growth, cognition, cardiovascular risk and pubertal development are needed to better understand how this period of the life course influences future non-communicable disease morbidity and cognitive outcomes.
Topics: Adolescent; Brazil; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; Cognition; Cognition Disorders; Cohort Studies; Ethiopia; Female; Growth; Humans; India; Male; Puberty; Vietnam
PubMed: 29338025
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190443