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Being born large for gestational age is associated with earlier pubertal take-off and longer growth duration: a

Ilaria Di Giovanni1, M Loredana Marcovecchio1,2, Valentina Chiavaroli1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University 'G. D'Annunzio', Chieti, Italy.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|October 16, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Children born large for gestational age (LGA) experience earlier pubertal onset and a longer growth duration compared to appropriate for gestational age (AGA) peers. These findings suggest unique pubertal growth patterns in LGA individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Perinatal Medicine

Background:

  • Perinatal factors influence pubertal timing.
  • Limited data exists on the impact of large birth size on pubertal growth trajectories.
  • Understanding these patterns is crucial for assessing growth and development in children born large for gestational age (LGA).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare pubertal growth patterns in children born large for gestational age (LGA) versus those born appropriate for gestational age (AGA).
  • To investigate the effects of large size at birth on key pubertal growth parameters.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal growth data from 70 children (30 LGA, 40 AGA) were analyzed.
  • The Preece-Baines model I was used to calculate ages at pubertal take-off, peak height velocity, and final height.
  • Pubertal growth spurt duration and total pubertal duration were determined.

Main Results:

  • Children born LGA exhibited an earlier age at pubertal take-off compared to AGA children (10.1 vs. 11.0 years).
  • LGA children demonstrated a significantly longer pubertal growth spurt duration (2.5 vs. 1.5 years) and total pubertal duration (5.3 vs. 4.6 years).
  • Ages at peak height velocity and final height were similar between LGA and AGA groups, irrespective of sex.

Conclusions:

  • Being born LGA is associated with an earlier initiation of puberty and an extended period of pubertal growth.
  • These findings highlight distinct pubertal growth patterns in LGA children, warranting further investigation.
  • This research may inform novel approaches to managing LGA children during their pubertal development.
Abstract

Keywords:
Growth patternsLarge for gestational ageLongitudinal studyPerinatal factorsPuberty

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