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Plasma Insulin Concentration in Newborns and Children and Age at Menarche

Guoying Wang1, Sally Radovick2, Jessie P Buckley3

  • 1Center on Early Life Origins of Disease, Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD.

Diabetes Care
|April 5, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Elevated insulin levels in early life, particularly with overweight or obesity, are linked to earlier menarche (first menstruation). This highlights the importance of early monitoring and intervention for girls

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Reproductive Health
  • Pediatric Health

Background:

  • Insulin plays aA critical role in metabolic regulation.
  • Insulin resistance and elevated insulin levels are increasingly prevalent in childhood.
  • The timing of menarche, a key milestone in female reproductive development, is influenced by various factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association of plasma insulin levels and their trajectories from birth to childhood with the timing of menarche.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 458 girls recruited at birth.
  • Plasma non-fasting insulin concentrations measured at birth (cord blood) and in childhood (0.5-5 years).
  • Age at menarche obtained via questionnaire or medical records.

Main Results:

  • Elevated insulin at birth or in childhood was associated with earlier mean age at menarche (approx. 2 months earlier per doubling of insulin).
  • Girls with overweight/obesity and elevated insulin attained menarche 11-17 months earlier than normal weight/low insulin girls.
  • Consistently high insulin levels from birth to childhood were associated with a 6-month earlier mean age at menarche compared to consistently low levels.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated insulin concentrations in early life, especially with overweight or obesity, contribute to earlier menarche onset.
  • Findings suggest the need for early screening and intervention strategies for girls with elevated insulin levels.
  • This research provides insights into the endocrine regulation of pubertal timing.
Abstract

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