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[Postnatal consequences of intrauterine development: pubertal development in children born small for gestational age]

J Woelfle1

  • 1Zentrum für Kinderheilkunde der Universität Bonn, Germany. joachim.woelfle@ukb.uni-bonn.de

Klinische Padiatrie
|January 4, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Children born small for gestational age (SGA) face risks of stunted adult height and metabolic issues. This review examines pubertal development and growth in SGA children, with or without growth hormone therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Child Growth and Development

Background:

  • Five to ten percent of children are born small for gestational age (SGA).
  • SGA is associated with risks of poor catch-up growth, adult short stature, and metabolic disturbances.
  • Abnormal pubertal development is frequently observed in SGA children, particularly those with rapid postnatal weight gain.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the relationship between auxiological birth parameters and pubertal course in SGA children.
  • To explore the interrelationships between puberty and growth in SGA children.
  • To examine the impact of growth hormone therapy on pubertal development and growth in SGA children.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on SGA children, pubertal development, and growth.
  • Analysis of auxiological birth parameters and their correlation with pubertal outcomes.
  • Evaluation of growth patterns and metabolic health in SGA children, considering growth hormone treatment.

Main Results:

  • Auxiological birth parameters are linked to subsequent pubertal development in SGA children.
  • Rapid postnatal weight gain in SGA children is associated with altered pubertal timing and progression.
  • Growth hormone therapy can influence catch-up growth and potentially affect pubertal dynamics in SGA individuals.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the interplay between birth parameters, postnatal growth, and puberty is crucial for managing SGA children.
  • Early identification and intervention may mitigate long-term health risks associated with SGA.
  • Further research is needed to optimize growth hormone therapy strategies for SGA-related pubertal and growth issues.

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