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Premature thelarche in infants and toddlers: prevalence, natural history and environmental determinants

Alison L Curfman1, Sophia M Reljanovic, Kera M McNelis

  • 1Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
|November 22, 2011
PubMed

Insights

This study found a higher prevalence of premature thelarche in young girls than previously reported. No link was found between early breast development and environmental estrogen sources in this cohort.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Environmental Health
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Premature thelarche, characterized by early breast development, is a common concern in pediatric care.
  • The potential role of environmental estrogenic exposures in the development of premature thelarche remains an area of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of premature thelarche in infant and toddler girls.
  • To investigate potential associations between environmental estrogen sources and the onset of premature thelarche.

Main Methods:

  • An observational study utilizing a mixed-methods approach.
  • Included retrospective chart review, a cross-sectional survey, and six-month longitudinal follow-up.
  • Participants were girls aged 12-48 months and their mothers attending a pediatric clinic.

Main Results:

  • The overall prevalence of premature thelarche was 4.7%, with a peak incidence between 12-17 months of age.
  • No statistically significant association was identified between premature thelarche and investigated environmental exposures.
  • Forty-four percent of premature thelarche cases exhibited persistent breast development at follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • The study identified a higher prevalence of premature thelarche than previously documented.
  • Limitations included insufficient statistical power due to a small number of cases and the widespread nature of environmental exposures.
  • Larger sample sizes are recommended for future research to accurately assess the relationship between environmental toxicants and premature thelarche.
Abstract

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