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Longitudinal study of the pubertal growth spurt in children born small for gestational age without postnatal catch-up

E Vicens-Calvet1, R M Espadero, A Carrascosa

  • 1Hospital Universitario Materno-Infantil Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain. evicens@airtel.net

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism : JPEM
|May 15, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Children born small for gestational age without postnatal catch-up growth showed a delayed pubertal growth spurt. Despite this, their final adult height was significantly reduced, indicating puberty did not alter their short stature outcome.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Human Growth and Development

Background:

  • Most children born small for gestational age (SGA) achieve catch-up growth.
  • A subset of SGA children (SGAWPC) lack postnatal catch-up growth, with poorly understood pubertal development.
  • Evaluating pubertal growth spurts requires longitudinal tracking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the long-term pubertal growth spurt and final height in children born SGA without postnatal catch-up (SGAWPC).

Main Methods:

  • An observational, retrospective, multicenter study followed 15 boys and 16 girls born SGAWPC throughout puberty.
  • Growth data were compared against Tanner and Spanish growth references.
  • Key metrics included pubertal 'take-off', peak height velocity, pubertal gain, and adult height.

Main Results:

  • Pubertal growth 'take-off' was delayed in SGAWPC children compared to reference populations.
  • Peak height velocity was chronologically normal but the total pubertal gain was smaller.
  • Adult height was significantly reduced in both males (161.9 cm) and females (147.0 cm).

Conclusions:

  • Children born SGAWPC experience a delayed pubertal growth spurt with reduced overall pubertal gain.
  • Despite pubertal differences, the final adult height remains significantly reduced, suggesting puberty does not significantly impact the final short stature outcome.

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