Associations between adverse childhood experiences with early puberty timing and possible gender difference

Abstract

To explore the association of adverse childhood events with early puberty timing and possible gender differences. Data was gathered through questionnaires, physical and secondary sexual characteristics, examination with breast stage in girls and testicular volume in boys measured under informed consent among children in grade 3 to grade 5 from a large-scale primary school. Information regarding adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), time of screening and physical activity was included in the questionnaire. Age limits on secondary sexual characteristics for defining early puberty established under the "China Puberty Research Collaboration Project" were used to classify early puberty timing. Body mass index was calculated and used to classify both overweight and obesity, in each gender. Among the 1 744 children aged 8.2-12.2 years old (957 boys), the prevalence rates of early puberty timing among boys and girls were 7.5% and 14.6%, respectively, with gender differences (χ² = 11.671, P < 0.001). Boys who reported having experienced serious adverse family events and girls with physical abuse were more likely to develop early puberty. Results from multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that family life events were associated with a higher risk of early puberty timing in boys (odds ratio: 2.531, 95% CI: 1.276-5.020) while experience related to physical abuse appeared a risk factor of early puberty timing in girls (odds ratio: 2.453, 95% CI: 1.588-3.788). Physical abuse and adverse family life events seemed to be associated with early puberty timing, suggesting further longitudinal study should be carried out to understand the nature of these findings and gender differences.