The Role of Pediatric Nutrition as a Modifiable Risk Factor for Precocious Puberty

Puberty is a critical phase of growth and development characterized by a complex process regulated by the neuroendocrine system. Precocious puberty (PP) is defined as the appearance of physical and hormonal signs of pubertal development at an earlier age than is considered normal. The timing of puberty has important public health, clinical, and social implications. In fact, it is crucial in psychological and physical development and can impact future health. Nutritional status is considered as one of the most important factors modulating pubertal development. This narrative review presents an overview on the role of nutritional factors as determinants of the timing of sexual maturation, focusing on early-life and childhood nutrition. As reported, breast milk seems to have an important protective role against early puberty onset, mainly due to its positive influence on infant growth rate and childhood overweight prevention. The energy imbalance, macro/micronutrient food content, and dietary patterns may modulate the premature activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, inducing precocious activation of puberty. An increase in knowledge on the mechanism whereby nutrients may influence puberty will be useful in providing adequate nutritional recommendations to prevent PP and related complications.

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Precocious Puberty

US Endocrinology ◽

10.17925/use.2006.00.02.1x ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 00 (02) ◽

Author(s):

Paul B Kaplowitz

Keyword(s):

Precocious Puberty ◽

Linear Growth ◽

Pubertal Development ◽

Black Girls ◽

Pubic Hair ◽

Growth Spurt ◽

Tall Stature ◽

Early Puberty ◽

Bone Maturation ◽

Early Appearance

Precocious puberty refers to the appearance of physical and hormonal signs of pubertal development at an earlier age than is considered normal.Although traditionally, any signs of puberty in girls prior to age eight years have been considered abnormal, recent studies indicate that signs of early puberty (breasts and pubic hair) are often present in girls (particularly black girls) between ages 6–8 years.The early growth spurt initially can cause tall stature, but rapid bone maturation can cause linear growth to cease too early and result in short adult stature.The early appearance of breasts or menses in girls and increased libido in boys can cause emotional distress for some children.

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GENETICS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Genetic etiologies of central precocious puberty and the role of imprinted genes

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/eje-20-0103 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 183 (4) ◽

pp. R107-R117

Author(s):

Stephanie A Roberts ◽

Ursula B Kaiser

Keyword(s):

Precocious Puberty ◽

Pubertal Timing ◽

Association Studies ◽

Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism ◽

Central Precocious Puberty ◽

Imprinted Genes ◽

Genome Wide Association Studies ◽

Early Puberty ◽

Imprinted Gene

Pubertal timing is regulated by the complex interplay of genetic, environmental, nutritional and epigenetic factors. Criteria for determining normal pubertal timing, and thus the definition of precocious puberty, have evolved based on published population studies. The significance of the genetic influence on pubertal timing is supported by familial pubertal timing and twin studies. In contrast to the many monogenic causes associated with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, only four monogenic causes of central precocious puberty (CPP) have been described. Loss-of-function mutations in Makorin Ring Finger Protein 3(MKRN3), a maternally imprinted gene on chromosome 15 within the Prader–Willi syndrome locus, are the most common identified genetic cause of CPP. More recently, several mutations in a second maternally imprinted gene, Delta-like noncanonical Notch ligand 1 (DLK1), have also been associated with CPP. Polymorphisms in both genes have also been associated with the age of menarche in genome-wide association studies. Mutations in the genes encoding kisspeptin (KISS1) and its receptor (KISS1R), potent activators of GnRH secretion, have also been described in association with CPP, but remain rare monogenic causes. CPP has both short- and long-term health implications for children, highlighting the importance of understanding the mechanisms contributing to early puberty. Additionally, given the role of mutations in the imprinted genes MKRN3 and DLK1 in pubertal timing, other imprinted candidate genes should be considered for a role in puberty initiation.

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Etiology of Increased Referrals for Evaluation of Early Puberty in a Tertiary Care Center in Turkey: True Precocious Puberty, Obesity, or Parental Anxiety and Lack of Knowledge?

Global Pediatric Health ◽

10.1177/2333794x211009096 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 2333794X2110090

Author(s):

Ayse Pinar Cemeroglu ◽

Damlanur Kaval ◽

Ozan Ozcan

Keyword(s):

Precocious Puberty ◽

Care Center ◽

Pubertal Development ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Parental Anxiety ◽

Adrenal Hyperplasia ◽

Pediatric Endocrinology ◽

Early Puberty ◽

Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia ◽

Timing Of Puberty

There has been a global increase in pediatric endocrinology referrals for the concerns of early puberty. The objective of this study was to determine the reasons behind this increase. A retrospective cross-sectional study was designed to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients seen for the concerns of early puberty in pediatric endocrinology clinic of a tertiary care center (Study A). Additionally, a prospective questionnaire study was designed to assess the knowledge and concerns of the mothers regarding the timing of puberty in girls (Study B). In study A, of the 305 girls, 42.9% were overweight/obese, 68.5% either had normal pubertal development for age or were prepubertal, 1 had non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and 2 had central precocious puberty. Of the 36 boys, 56% were overweight/obese, 64% either had normal pubertal development for age or were prepubertal, and 1 had non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia. In study B, 95% of the participants thought the girls have been developing earlier, over 10% considered the first sign of puberty to be normal after the age 14 years and 12.4% considered menarche to be normal after age 14 years. The common sources of anxiety for the participants regarding the earlier timing of puberty were psychosocial issues and short final height. In conclusion, many parents had wrong beliefs/information about the normal timing of puberty and were concerned about precocious puberty in girls. Education of parents about the normal timing of puberty may help avoiding unnecessary referrals, parental anxiety, and financial burden to the society.

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An Integrative View of the Role of Lachancea thermotolerans in Wine Technology

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10112878 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 2878

Author(s):

Javier Vicente ◽

Eva Navascués ◽

Fernando Calderón ◽

Antonio Santos ◽

Domingo Marquina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lactic Acid ◽

Yeast Species ◽

Protective Role ◽

Positive Influence ◽

Integrative View ◽

Key Characteristics ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Grape Varieties ◽

Lachancea Thermotolerans

The interest in Lachancea thermotolerans, a yeast species with unusual characteristics, has notably increased in all ecological, evolutionary, and industrial aspects. One of the key characteristics of L. thermotolerans is the production of high quantities of lactic acid compared to other yeast species. Its evolution has mainly been driven by the influence of the environment and domestication, allowing several metabolic traits to arise. The molecular regulation of the fermentative process in L. thermotolerans shows interesting routes that play a complementary or protective role against fermentative stresses. One route that is activated under this condition is involved in the production of lactic acid, presenting a complete system for its production, showing the involvement of several enzymes and transporters. In winemaking, the use of L. thermotolerans is nowadays mostly focused in early–medium-maturity grape varieties, in which over-ripening can produce wines lacking acidity and with high concentrations of ethanol. Recent studies have reported new positive influences on quality apart from lactic acid acidification, such as improvements in color, glutathione production, aroma, malic acid, polysaccharides, or specific enzymatic activities that constitute interesting new criteria for selecting better strains. This positive influence on winemaking has increased the availability of commercial strains during recent years, allowing comparisons among some of those products. Initially, the management of L. thermotolerans was thought to be combined with Saccaharomyces cerevisiae to properly end alcoholic fermentation, but new studies are innovating and reporting combinations with other key enological microorganisms such as Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Oenocous oeni, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, or other non-Saccharomyces.

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Possible role of melatonin in precocious and accelerated puberty in females during the COVID-19 pandemic

10.21203/rs.3.rs-855928/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Stefano Stagi ◽

Marta Ferrari ◽

Giada Paiusco ◽

Maria Moriondo ◽

Chiara Azzari

Keyword(s):

Pubertal Development ◽

Central Precocious Puberty ◽

Height Velocity ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Premature Thelarche ◽

Complex Process ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Salivary Melatonin ◽

Isolated Premature Thelarche

Abstract BackgroundPubertal development is a complex process influenced by a multitude of factors; among these, the role of melatonin has only been partially investigated. During the COVID-19 pandemic an unexpected increase in cases of precocious and fast puberty was observed.AimsTo evaluate the possible role of salivary melatonin in precocious and accelerated puberty during the COVID-19 lockdown.Patients and MethodsFifty-four females were evaluated from October 2020 to March 2021; of these, 39 children were diagnosed with central precocious puberty (CPP) and 15 with isolated premature thelarche (IPT). Thirty-three healthy children acted as controls. The enrolled patients were asked to take measures the day before the visit to avoid influencing readings of melatonin secretion. Salivary melatonin levels were analyzed using commercially available ELISA kit.ResultsThere was no difference in the time from B2 to diagnosis (months) between IPT and CPP patients. However, the anamnestic and clinical data of our CPP patients confirmed an acceleration in the stages of pubertal development. As expected, subjects with CPP showed a significantly greater stature SDS and height velocity SDS. There were no differences in BMI SDS and Delta BMI SDS. Interestingly, we discovered a significant difference regarding the use of electronic devices between children with CPP, IPT and controls (p < 0.05). Children with CPP showed significantly lower values of salivary melatonin than patients with TPT and controls (p < 0.0001).DiscussionOur results showed a marked reduction in salivary melatonin in children with CPP diagnosed during and after lockdown for COVID-19. Larger studies are needed to confirm and investigate these findings.

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Protective role of peroxiredoxin-4 in heart failure

Clinical Science ◽

10.1042/cs20191072 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 134 (1) ◽

pp. 71-72

Author(s):

Naseer Ahmed ◽

Masooma Naseem ◽

Javeria Farooq

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽

Protective Role ◽

Oxidative Stress Markers ◽

Stress Markers ◽

Total Antioxidant ◽

Galectin 3 ◽

Consequent Increase ◽

And Oxidative Stress

Abstract Recently, we have read with great interest the article published by Ibarrola et al. (Clin. Sci. (Lond.) (2018) 132, 1471–1485), which used proteomics and immunodetection methods to show that Galectin-3 (Gal-3) down-regulated the antioxidant peroxiredoxin-4 (Prx-4) in cardiac fibroblasts. Authors concluded that ‘antioxidant activity of Prx-4 had been identified as a protein down-regulated by Gal-3. Moreover, Gal-3 induced a decrease in total antioxidant capacity which resulted in a consequent increase in peroxide levels and oxidative stress markers in cardiac fibroblasts.’ We would like to point out some results stated in the article that need further investigation and more detailed discussion to clarify certain factors involved in the protective role of Prx-4 in heart failure.

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Parenting Behaviors and Anxiety in Young Adults

Journal of Individual Differences ◽

10.1027/1614-0001/a000169 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 170-176 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Erin N. Stevens ◽

Joseph R. Bardeen ◽

Kyle W. Murdock

Keyword(s):

Effortful Control ◽

Parenting Behaviors ◽

Protective Role ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Interactive Effects ◽

Parental Overprotection ◽

High Control ◽

Development Of Anxiety ◽

The Relationship

Parenting behaviors – specifically behaviors characterized by high control, intrusiveness, rejection, and overprotection – and effortful control have each been implicated in the development of anxiety pathology. However, little research has examined the protective role of effortful control in the relation between parenting and anxiety symptoms, specifically among adults. Thus, we sought to explore the unique and interactive effects of parenting and effortful control on anxiety among adults (N = 162). Results suggest that effortful control uniquely contributes to anxiety symptoms above and beyond that of any parenting behavior. Furthermore, effortful control acted as a moderator of the relationship between parental overprotection and anxiety, such that overprotection is associated with anxiety only in individuals with lower levels of effortful control. Implications for potential prevention and intervention efforts which specifically target effortful control are discussed. These findings underscore the importance of considering individual differences in self-regulatory abilities when examining associations between putative early-life risk factors, such as parenting, and anxiety symptoms.

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