Comparing adolescent self staging of pubertal development with hormone biomarkers

Author(s):  
Nana-Hawa Yayah Jones ◽  
Jane C. Khoury ◽  
Yingying Xu ◽  
Nicholas Newman ◽  
Heidi J. Kalkwarf ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Physical examinations to characterize pubertal maturation may be unacceptable for children enrolled in research studies. Studies confirm the utility of pubertal self staging for research, but there has been limited comparison of self examination with hormone biomarkers. Our objective was to assess concordance of pubertal self staging with hormone biomarkers of puberty. Methods Participants were enrolled in the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment Study, a longitudinal pregnancy and birth cohort study. At age 12 years, 139 females and 112 males completed pubertal self staging including breast and pubic hair development in females and pubic hair development in males. No clinical physical examination was performed. Hormone concentrations were measured in 102 females and 96 males including serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone in all; estradiol in females; and testosterone in males. Results Estradiol was significantly associated with female breast stage, even when adjusted for BMI, with geometric least squares means (95%CI) of 13.2 (8.7, 20.2), 38.3 (29.9, 49.1), 59.4 (39.8, 88.6), and 81.2 (45.6, 144) pg/mL for breast stage 1–2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Testosterone was significantly associated with male pubic hair stage, with adjusted geometric least squares means (95%CI) of 37.6 (19.9, 71.1), 43.4 (27.7, 68.3), 126 (78.4, 203), 275 (146, 521), and 559 (237, 1319) ng/dL for pubic hair stage 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Conclusions Self assessed pubertal development was positively associated with hormonal biomarkers of puberty.

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 558-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa A. Hoekstra ◽  
Meike Bartels ◽  
Dorret I. Boomsma

AbstractThe aim of this study was to estimate the heritability of variation in testosterone levels in 12-year-old children, and to explore the overlap in genetic and environmental influences on circulating testosterone levels and androgen-dependent pubertal development. Midday salivary testosterone samples were collected on 2 consecutive days in a sample of 183 unselected twin pairs. Androgen-induced pubertal development was assessed using self-report Tanner scales of pubic hair development (boys and girls) and genital development (boys). A significant contribution of genetic effects to the variance in testosterone levels was found. Heritability was approximately 50% in both boys and girls. The remaining proportion of the variance in testosterone levels could be explained by nonshared environmental influences. The relatively high correlation between testosterone levels of opposite-sex dizygotic twins suggests that sex differences in genes influencing variation in testosterone levels have not yet developed in preand early puberty. Variance in pubertal development was explained by a large genetic component, moderate shared environmental influences, and a small nonshared environmental effect. Testosterone levels correlated moderately (r = .31) with pubertal development; the covariance between testosterone levels and pubertal development was entirely accounted for by genetic influences.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0251598
Author(s):  
Mandy Goldberg ◽  
Anna J. Ciesielski Jones ◽  
John A. McGrath ◽  
Christie Barker-Cummings ◽  
Deborah S. Cousins ◽  
...  

Background Many studies investigating pubertal development use Tanner staging to assess maturation. Endocrine markers in urine and saliva may provide an objective, sensitive, and non-invasive method for assessing development. Objective Our objective was to examine whether changes in endocrine levels can indicate the onset of pubertal development prior to changes in self-rated Tanner stage. Methods Thirty-five girls and 42 boys aged 7 to 15 years were enrolled in the Growth and Puberty (GAP) study, a longitudinal pilot study conducted from 2007–2009 involving children of women enrolled in the Agricultural Health Study (AHS) in Iowa. We collected saliva and urine samples and assessed pubertal development by self-rated Tanner staging (pubic hair, breast development (girls), genital development (boys)) at three visits over six months. We measured dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in saliva and creatinine-adjusted luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estrone 3-glucuronide (E13G) and pregnanediol 3-glucuronide (Pd3G) concentrations in first morning urine. We evaluated the relationships over time between Tanner stage and each biomarker using repeated measures analysis. Results Among girls still reporting Tanner breast stage 1 at the final visit, FSH levels increased over the 6-month follow-up period and were no longer lower than higher stage girls at the end of follow-up. We observed a similar pattern for testosterone in boys. By visit 3, boys still reporting Tanner genital stage 1 or pubic hair stage 1 had attained DHEA levels that were comparable to those among boys reporting Tanner stages 2 or 3. Conclusions Increasing concentrations of FSH in girls and DHEA and testosterone in boys over a 6-month period revealed the start of the pubertal process prior to changes in self-rated Tanner stage. Repeated, non-invasive endocrine measures may complement the more subjective assessment of physical markers in studies determining pubertal onset.


2006 ◽  
Vol 91 (9) ◽  
pp. 3377-3381 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. I. Hernández ◽  
A. Martínez ◽  
T. Capurro ◽  
V. Peña ◽  
L. Trejo ◽  
...  

Abstract Context: There are limited and controversial data concerning puberty characteristics in girls born small for gestational age (SGA). Objective: The objective of the study was to document clinical, ultrasonographic, and biochemical characteristics at the beginning of puberty in matched healthy girls born either SGA or appropriate for gestational age (AGA) recruited from the community. Patients: Inclusion criteria were breast Tanner stage II and a body mass index between the 10th and 95th percentiles. Interventions: Recruited subjects underwent a complete physical exam, bone age, and ultrasound measurements of the internal genitalia. Hormonal assessment included fasting early morning dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione, SHBG, inhibin-B, FSH, LH, estradiol (E2), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OH Prog), and testosterone. Thereafter, a GnRH agonist test (leuprolide 500 μg, sc) was performed with FSH and LH at time 3 and 24 h for E2, 17OH Prog, and testosterone. Results: Sixty-five girls (35 AGA, 30 SGA) with a mean age of 9.9 ± 1.03 (7.8–12.5) yr, similar bone age/chronological age (1.02 ± 0.8 in AGA and 1 ± 0.76 in SGA), median height of 1.35 ± 0.06 cm, and similar waist to hip ratio were included. No differences in the presence of pubic hair, axillary hair, apocrine odor, or ultrasound measurements were found. SGA girls had increased baseline E2 as well as stimulated E2 and 17OH Prog. Conclusions: In a preliminary sample of lean, healthy girls recruited from the community born either SGA or AGA, we observed slight hormonal differences at the beginning of puberty. Longitudinal follow-up of this cohort will allow us to understand whether these differences are maintained and have a clinical impact in their pubertal development.


2010 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. CMPed.S4610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Al Alwan ◽  
Naila Felimban ◽  
Yasmin Altwaijri ◽  
Hani Tamim ◽  
Angham Al Mutair ◽  
...  

Background The ages of onset of pubertal characteristics are influenced by genetic, geographic, dietary and socioeconomic factors; however, due to lack of country-specific norms, clinicians in Saudi Arabia use Western estimates as standards of reference for local children. Aims The aim of the Riyadh Puberty Study was to provide data on pubertal development to determine the average age of onset of pubertal characteristics among Saudi boys. Methods Cross-sectional study among male school children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2006, 542 schoolboys, aged 6 to 16 years old, from diverse socioeconomic levels were selected into the sample using a cluster sample design. Tanner stages were ascertained during physical examination by pediatric endocrine consultants, and also trained pediatric residents and fellows. Results The mean age (standard deviation) at Tanner Stages 2, 3, 4, and 5 for pubic hair development of Saudi boys was 11.4 (1.6), 13.3 (1.3), 14.4 (1.0) and 15.1 (0.8) years old, respectively. For gonadal development, the mean age (standard deviation) at stages 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 11.4 (1.5), 13.3 (1.2), 14.3 (1.1) and 15.0 (0.9) years old, respectively. Conclusion The ages of onset of pubertal characteristics, based on gonadal development, among Saudi boys are comparable to those reported in Western populations.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 636-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. McDonald ◽  
S. M. Eng ◽  
O. O. Dina ◽  
C. M. Schooling ◽  
M. B. Terry

The decline in age of pubertal timing has serious public health implications ranging from psychosocial adjustment problems to a possible increase in reproductive cancers. One biologically plausible explanation for the decline is a decrease in exposures to infections. To systematically review studies that assess the role of infection in pubertal timing, Medline, Web of Science and EMBASE were systematically searched and retrieved studies were reviewed for eligibility. Eligible studies examined the association between infections, including microbial exposures, and physical pubertal characteristics (breast, genitalia and pubic hair development) or age at menarche. We excluded studies that were published in a language other than English, focused on precocious puberty, were case studies, and/or included youth with autoimmune diseases. We report on study design, population characteristics, measurement of infection and puberty and the main effects of infection on pubertal development. Based on our search terms we identified 1372 unique articles, of which only 15 human and five animal studies met our eligibility criteria. Not all studies examined all outcomes. Infection was associated with later breast development (4/4 human studies), with less consistent evidence for genitalia and pubic hair development. Seven studies assessed age at menarche with inconsistent findings (three supporting later, four no association). We conclude that a small but consistent literature supports that infection is associated with later breast development; the evidence for other pubertal events and age at menarche is less clear. Where fewer childhood infections coincide with the rise in incidence of hormone-related cancers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 105 (8) ◽  
pp. 2846-2856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan C Campisi ◽  
Josée D Marchand ◽  
Fahad Javaid Siddiqui ◽  
Muhammad Islam ◽  
Zulfiqar A Bhutta ◽  
...  

Abstract Context Clinicians, researchers, and global health advocates often include pubertal development in outcomes. However, assessments of pubertal stage can be challenging because of the sensitive nature and feasibility of clinical examinations, especially in larger settings. Objective To determine the accuracy of self-assessed Tanner staging when compared with physically assessed Tanner stages by a clinician. Data Sources MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL. Study Selection Studies were included if they reported 5 × 5 tables of self-assessment compared to clinician–assessment for the 5-stage Tanner scale. Data Extraction We extracted data to generate complete 5 × 5 tables for each study, including any subgroup eligible for the analysis, such as overweight/obese youth. Data Synthesis After screening, 22 studies representing 21,801 participants met our inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. Overall agreement was moderate or substantial between the 2 assessments, with breast stage 1, female pubic hair 1, male pubic hair 1, and male pubic hair 5 having the highest agreement. When stages were collapsed into pre- (Tanner stage 1), in (stages 2,3), and completing (stages 4,5) puberty, levels of agreement improved, especially for pre- and completing pubertal development. Most included studies comprised Caucasian youth. More studies are needed which include a broader range of geographic and socioeconomic settings, as well as a greater diversity of racial/ethnic groups. Conclusions Self-assessment of puberty is most accurate when identifying Tanner stage 1, Tanner stage 5 and when development is categorized into prepuberty, in, and completing puberty phases. Use of self-assessment data should be structured accordingly. Protocol Registration PROSPERO # CRD42018100205


Author(s):  
Laura M. Derose ◽  
Julia A. Graber

The timing of pubertal onset is marked by substantial variability within the range of normative development. Pubertal onset has mainly been measured by appearance of secondary sex characteristics—pubic hair development across sexes, and breast development in girls and testicular development in boys. This chapter provides statistics for the average age of pubertal onset, including findings for how average age differs by race. The two major types of pubertal disorders, precocious puberty and delayed puberty, are described, with a brief synopsis of the possible causes (for a comprehensive review of medical causes, see Grumbach and Styne 2003). The major focus of the chapter is on the psychological and behavioral consequences of precocious and delayed puberty. Although the majority of research on this topic has included nonclinical samples (onset or delay of puberty nearing 2 standard deviations [SD] from the mean), findings would be applicable to children who exhibit clinical precocious or delayed puberty (onset or delay of puberty >2 SDs from the mean). Finally, the chapter reviews the clinical practices for “treating” puberty that is normative by pediatric standards. Breast budding is generally the first sexual characteristic to appear in females, and is most commonly classified by Marshall and Tanner’s (1969) five stages of development. Breast development begins in the United States between ages 8 and 13, with a mean age of 9.96 for Caucasian girls and a mean age of 8.87 for African American girls (Herman-Giddens et al. 1997). Pubic hair development typically begins shortly after breast budding; however approximately 20 percent of girls experience pubic hair development prior to breast budding (Brooks-Gunn and Reiter 1990). Pubic hair development also begins between the ages of 8 and 13 years, with a mean age 10.5 years in Caucasian girls and 8.8 years for African American girls (Herman-Giddens et al. 1997). Menarche is a late sign of pubertal development in girls and occurs following the peak in height velocity and during the rapid increase in weight and body fat (Tanner 1978). The mean age of menarche in North America is 12.88 years for Caucasian girls and 12.16 years for African American girls (Herman-Giddens et al. 1997).


2016 ◽  
Vol 101 (7) ◽  
pp. 2667-2674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Wohlfahrt-Veje ◽  
Annette Mouritsen ◽  
Casper P. Hagen ◽  
Jeanette Tinggaard ◽  
Mikkel Grunnet Mieritz ◽  
...  

Context: Epidemiological evidence on maternal and paternal heritability of the wide normal variation within pubertal timing is sparse. Objective: We aimed to estimate the impact of parental pubertal timing on the onset of puberty in boys and girls. Design: Annual pubertal examinations of healthy children in a longitudinal cohort study. Information on parental timing of puberty (earlier, comparable to, or later compared to peers) and menarche age was retrieved from questionnaires. Participants: A total of 672 girls and 846 boys. Main Outcome Measures: Age at onset of pubic hair (PH2+), breasts (B2+), and menarche in girls; and PH2+, genital stage (G2+), and testis >3 mL with orchidometer (Tvol3+) in boys. Results: In boys, pubertal onset was significantly associated with pubertal timing of both parents. PH2+ and Tvol3+ were earlier: −11.8 months (95% confidence interval, −16.8, −6.8)/−8.9 (−12.8, −4.9), and −9.5 (−13.9, −5.1)/−7.1 (−10.4, −3.7) if the father/mother, respectively, had early pubertal development compared to late. In girls, menarche was significantly associated with both parents' pubertal timing: −10.5 months (−15.9, −5.1)/−10.1 (−14.3, −6.0) if father/mother had early pubertal development compared to late. For the onset of PH2+ and B2+ in girls, estimates were −7.0 months (−12.6, −1.4) and −4.1 (−10.6, +2.4)/−6.7 (−11.0, −2.5), and −6.7 (−11.0, −2.0) for fathers/mothers, respectively. Maternal age of menarche was significantly associated with the onset of all pubertal milestones except PH2+ in girls. Conclusions: Maternal as well as paternal pubertal timing was a strong determinant of age at pubertal onset in both girls and boys. Age at breast and pubic hair development in girls, which has declined most during recent years, seemed to be least dependent on heritability.


2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-112
Author(s):  
Poly Begum ◽  
Dipti Rani Saha ◽  
Md Kamrul Hassan

The parents of a 04-year-old girl bring her to a Gynaecologist because of breast development, appearance of pubic hair and periodic per vaginal bleeding. Her medical history is unremarkable. The parents are of average height, and the mother reports first menstruating when she was 11 years old. At physical examination, the girl is 100 cm tall , weighs 17 kg, and has a bodymass index of 17. Her pubertal development is classified as Tanner stage 3 breast development and Tanner stage 2 pubic hair development. She was diagnosed as a case of precocious puberity. Appearance of secondary sexual development before the age of 9 in a male child and before the age of 8 in a female child is called precocious puberty. When the cause of precocious puberty is premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, it is called central or complete precocious puberty and she was a case of central precocious puberty. After proper consult she was treated by GnRHa suppressor of pituitary till 11 years of age.Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2015; Vol. 30(2) : 109-112


Author(s):  
Maria E Bleil ◽  
Susan J Spieker ◽  
Steven E Gregorich ◽  
Alexis S Thomas ◽  
Robert A Hiatt ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective  To identify early life adversity (ELA) risk factors for earlier pubertal timing, itself a risk factor for poor cardiometabolic health, and to determine whether such ELA-related risk may be mediated by pre-pubertal body mass index (BMI). Methods  Subjects included 426 female participants in a prospective birth cohort study, the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development. Survival analysis models were fit to examine ELA exposures, representing childhood socioeconomic status (SES), maternal sensitivity, mother–child attachment, and negative life events, along with child health indicators and covariates, in relation to pubertal timing outcomes, including age at menarche and ages at Tanner stage II for breast and pubic hair development. Results  Higher childhood SES emerged as an independent predictor of older age at menarche, showing each one standard deviation increase in childhood SES corresponded to a 1.3% increase in age at menarche (factor change = 1.013; 1.003–1.022; p < .01), but did not predict breast or pubic hair development (ps > .05). In mediation analyses, indirect (mediated) effects of mother–child attachment on the pubertal timing outcomes, via pre-pubertal BMI, were all statistically significant (ps < .05). Conclusions  Higher childhood SES predicted directly, and secure (vs. insecure) mother–child attachment predicted indirectly (via pre-pubertal BMI), later pubertal timing, suggesting these factors may protect girls from earlier pubertal development. By extension, clinical implications are that intervention strategies designed to lessen ELA- and pre-pubertal obesity-related risk may be effective in remediating life course pathways linking ELA, accelerated pubertal development, and cardiometabolic risk.


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