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Advanced pubertal growth spurt in subjects born preterm: the Helsinki study of very low birth weight adults

Karoliina Wehkalampi1, Petteri Hovi, Leo Dunkel

  • 1Department of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, Mannerheimintie 164, 00271 Helsinki, Finland. karoliina.wehkalampi@helsinki.fi

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|December 15, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Infants born preterm with very low birth weight (VLBW) experience earlier puberty. This advanced pubertal growth may contribute to later cardiovascular and metabolic health issues in these individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric endocrinology
  • Neonatal care outcomes
  • Growth and development studies

Background:

  • Low birth weight at term is linked to early puberty, potentially mediating risks for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
  • Adults born preterm with very low birth weight (VLBW; <1500 g) exhibit increased cardiovascular disease risk factors.
  • Limited data exists on the pubertal timing of individuals born preterm with VLBW.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare the timing of pubertal growth in preterm VLBW subjects versus term-born controls.

Main Methods:

  • A follow-up study included 188 VLBW and 190 term-born control subjects.
  • Growth data from 128 VLBW and 147 controls were analyzed, excluding those with neurological impairment.
  • Pubertal growth spurt timing was assessed by corrected age at growth acceleration, peak height velocity, and adult height attainment.

Main Results:

  • All aspects of pubertal growth occurred earlier in VLBW subjects compared to controls.
  • VLBW subjects showed significantly earlier age at take-off for pubertal growth (0.8-0.9 years earlier).
  • VLBW subjects were more likely (OR 3.8) to experience a pubertal growth spurt at least 2 years earlier than the population average.

Conclusions:

  • Prematurity itself is associated with advanced pubertal growth.
  • Advanced puberty may be a mediating factor for adverse adult metabolic outcomes in individuals born preterm with VLBW.
Abstract

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