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Longitudinal Growth Patterns in Boys and Girls Aged 9-14 Years by Birth Season

Arta Grabcika1, Dzintra Kazoka1, Janis Vetra1

  • 1Department of Morphology, Institute of Anatomy and Anthropology, Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia.

American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council
|July 12, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Birth season does not significantly impact anthropometric development in Latvian children aged 9-14 years. Age-related growth and puberty are the main drivers of physical changes, not the season of birth.

Area of Science:

  • Anthropology
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Birth season is a potential proxy for early-life environmental exposures influencing growth.
  • Understanding seasonal effects on child development is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if anthropometric parameters in Latvian children (9-14 years) differ based on birth season.
  • To assess the influence of birth season on physical development in a specific population.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 203 healthy Latvian children aged 9-14 years.
  • Measurements included height, weight, head circumference, chest circumference, and distantia intercristale.
  • Children categorized into four birth seasons: winter, spring, summer, autumn.

Main Results:

  • Anthropometric parameters showed consistent age-related increases across all seasonal groups.
  • No statistically significant differences were found in height, weight, or circumferences based on birth season (p > 0.05).
  • Observed seasonal variations were minimal, with negligible to small effect sizes.

Conclusions:

  • Birth season has a minimal influence on anthropometric development in Latvian children aged 9-14 years.
  • Age-related growth and pubertal maturation are the primary determinants of physical development during this period.
  • This study provides valuable longitudinal data on Latvian childhood growth and the limited role of birth season.
Abstract

Keywords:
Latviaanthropometrybirth seasonchildrengrowth patterns

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