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An epidemic of precocious development in Puerto Rican children
The Journal of Pediatrics
|September 1, 1985
Summary
An increase in early puberty signs in Puerto Rican children was observed. Estradiol contamination in food, particularly meat, is suspected as the cause of this alarming trend.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Environmental Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- An alarming rise in premature sexual development, including premature thelarche and pubarche, has been noted in Puerto Rico over the past seven years.
- Prepubertal breast enlargement in boys and precocious pseudopuberty in girls have also been observed across the island.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential causes of the increased incidence of premature sexual development in children in Puerto Rico.
- To identify possible environmental factors contributing to early puberty.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of food specimens using chromatography.
- Assessment of food samples for estrogenic activity via cytosol receptor assay.
Main Results:
- Significant levels of estradiol equivalent were detected in certain meat samples.
- Chromatographic analysis confirmed the presence of estrogenic compounds.
Conclusions:
- Exogenous estrogen contamination in food is suspected as the primary cause of early sexual development in children.
- Dietary intake by children and their mothers may be linked to the observed increase in premature puberty.