Abstract
BackgroundTo investigate the prevalence and risk factors of premature thelarche (PT) in girls and gynecomastia (GM) in boys in Southern China.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of preschool children across 9 cities in Zhejiang province. A total of 6273 children in the age-group of 2–7 years were recruited from January 2014 to March 2015. Relevant information was collected from mothers through face-to-face interviews. Logistic regression models were used to examine the correlates of PT and GM. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported.ResultsThe prevalence of PT among girls was 4.8% and that of GM among boys was 0.8%. One hundred girls were diagnosed with PT before the age of 2 years; 69 (69.0%) of these girls experienced spontaneous resolution of PT. Twenty-four boys were diagnosed with GM before the age of 2 years; 10 (41.7%) of these experienced spontaneous resolution of GM. Children borne of mothers with early onset of menarche and those belonging to high-income families were at a higher risk of premature breast development. Greater consumption of eggs was associated with premature breast development in early childhood.ConclusionsSocioeconomic status of family, early onset of menarche in mother, and consumption of eggs were strongly associated with premature breast development in early childhood.
Highlights
To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of premature thelarche (PT) in girls and gynecomastia (GM) in boys in Southern China
Epidemiological evidence suggests that diet, environmental toxicity, and socioeconomic status of the family may be potentially associated with PT and GM in young children
Prevalence and resolution of PT and GM A total of 6273 children (3295 boys and 2978 girls) in the age-group of 2–7 years were recruited in this study
Summary
To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of premature thelarche (PT) in girls and gynecomastia (GM) in boys in Southern China. Premature thelarche (PT) refers to isolated early breast development in girls younger than 8 years of age while gynecomastia (GM) refers to the presence of breast tissues in boys [1]. Surveys conducted across the world have shown an increasing trend in the prevalence of PT and GM among young children. A survey of 802 girls in Istanbul (year 2011) revealed an early breast growth rate of 8.9% among girls aged 8 years [2]. Some studies have found an association of early breast development with consumption of phytoestrogen-containing food [8, 9] and endocrine disrupting chemicals [10, 11].
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