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Premature sexual development in individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities
S U Siddiqi1, D C Van Dyke, P Donohoue
1Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Iowa, University Hospital School, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City 52242, USA.
Insights
Children with neurodevelopmental disabilities face a higher risk of early puberty. Healthcare providers should screen these children for premature sexual development to ensure timely intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
Background:
- Precocious puberty studies typically exclude children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
- Early sexual development in this population remains under-researched.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of premature sexual development in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
- To assess the risk of precocious puberty in this specific patient group.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of diagnostic data from 15,719 patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
- Identification of individuals diagnosed with premature sexual development or precocious puberty.
Main Results:
- Thirty-two cases of premature sexual development were identified, with onset as early as 1 year 7 months.
- Mean onset age: 7 years 2 months (boys) and 5 years 11 months (girls).
- Central precocious puberty was the most frequent diagnosis (15/32 children).
Conclusions:
- Children with neurodevelopmental disabilities exhibit an increased risk of premature pubertal changes.
- Vigilant screening for early pubertal changes is crucial for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Abstract:
Studies on precocious puberty have primarily focused on children with typical patterns of growth and cognitive development. This study reviewed diagnostic data from the records of 15,719 patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities for diagnoses associated with premature sexual development/precocious puberty. Thirty-two individuals with premature sexual development were identified, with the earliest changes seen in one girl at 1 year 7 months of age. In this group, the mean age at onset was 7 years 2 months in boys and 5 years 11 months in girls. Central precocious puberty, which was the most common cause of onset of early pubertal changes, was present in 15 of the 32 children. The results of this study suggest that children with a neurodevelopmental disability are at increased risk of premature pubertal changes when compared to children without a neurodevelopmental disability. This study indicates the need for health-care providers to be vigilant in screening for early pubertal changes in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.