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Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...
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Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model
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Birth order progressively affects childhood height.

Tim Savage1, José G B Derraik, Harriet L Miles

  • 1Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, New Zealand.

Clinical Endocrinology
|January 26, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

First-born children are taller and have less abdominal fat than later-borns. These birth order effects on growth and body composition persist even after accounting for genetics.

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Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Birth Order Studies

Background:

  • Evidence suggests anthropometric differences between first-borns and later-borns.
  • Birth order may influence childhood growth and metabolic parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between birth order and changes in growth and metabolism during childhood.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 312 healthy prepubertal children (3-10 years).
  • Measurements included height, weight, fasting lipid and hormonal profiles, and DEXA-derived body composition.
  • Children were categorized as first-born or later-born.

Main Results:

  • First-borns were significantly taller than later-borns, with height decreasing incrementally with higher birth order.
  • First-borns and second-borns showed higher Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I) concentrations than third-borns.
  • Reduced abdominal adiposity (android/gynoid fat ratio) was observed in first- and second-borns compared to third-borns.

Conclusions:

  • First-born children exhibit greater height than later-borns, with a progressive reduction in stature from first to third birth order.
  • These birth order-related height differences remain after genetic height correction and are linked to plasma IGF-I alterations.
  • Findings support the role of birth order in influencing phenotypic changes during childhood.