Adult Height Research Articles

Study of Multidimensional and High-Precision Height Model of Youth Based on Multilayer Perceptron.

Predicting the adult height of children accurately has great social value for the selection of outstanding athlete as well as early detection of children's growth disorders. Currently, the mainstream method used to predict adult height in China has three problems: its standards are not uniform; it is stale for current Chinese children; its accuracy is not satisfactory. This article uses the data collected by the Chinese Children and Adolescents' Physical Fitness and Growth Health Project in Zhejiang primary and secondary schools. We put forward a new multidimensional and high-precision youth growth curve prediction model, which is based on multilayer perceptron. First, this model uses multidimensional growth data of children as predictors and then utilizes multilayer perceptron to predict the children's adult height. Second, we find the Table of Height Standard Deviation of Chinese Children and fit the data of zero standard deviation to obtain the curve. This curve is regarded as Chinese children's mean growth curve. Third, we use the least-squares method and the mean curve to calculate the individual growth curve. Finally, the individual curve can be used to predict children's state height. Experimental results show that this adult height prediction model's accuracy (between 2 cm) of boys and girls reached 90.20% and 88.89% and the state height prediction accuracy reached 77.46% and 74.93%. Compared with Bayley–Pinneau, the adult height prediction is improved 19.61% for boys and 13.33% for girls. Compared with BoneXpert, the adult height prediction is improved 25.49% for boys and 6.67% for girls. Compared with the method based on the bone age growth map, the adult height prediction is improved 15.69% for boys and 24.45% for girls.

Capturing additional genetic risk from family history for improved polygenic risk prediction

Family history of complex traits may reflect transmitted rare pathogenic variants, intra-familial shared exposures to environmental and lifestyle factors, as well as a common genetic predisposition. We developed a latent factor model to quantify trait heritability in excess of that captured by a common variant-based polygenic risk score, but inferable from family history. For 941 children in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort, a joint predictor combining a polygenic risk score for height and mid-parental height was able to explain ~55% of the total variance in sex-adjusted adult height z-scores, close to the estimated heritability. Marginal yet consistent risk prediction improvements were also achieved among ~400,000 European ancestry participants for 11 complex diseases in the UK Biobank. Our work showcases a paradigm for risk calculation, and supports incorporation of family history into polygenic risk score-based genetic risk prediction models.

The relationship between height and fruit/vegetable intakes in adults: A nationwide cross-sectional study.

Background: Worldwide, fruit and vegetable intake is below recommendations. There is increasing evidence to suggest an association between height and diet. Aim: to analyse the associations of fruit and vegetable intake with attained height in Portuguese adults. Methods: A representative sample of 17 480 Portuguese adults (56.7% women) participated in this cross-sectional study. The survey comprised sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported height and weight. We performed regression models to assess the associations between height and fruit and vegetable consumption. Results: Compared with no intakes, those men with higher fruit and vegetables intake had 0.54 cm (95% CI 0.04; 1.04) greater height. Also, women with higher intakes of vegetables, fruit and vegetables combined were directly associated with a greater height of 0.29 cm (95% CI 0.03; 0.56 in vegetables) and 0.51 cm (95% CI 0.09; 0.93 in fruit and vegetables combined). Conclusion: Greater consumption of fruit and vegetables was directly associated with higher height in adults. From a health promotion perspective, intervention programmes aiming at improving fruit and vegetable intake should be highlighted so that full height potential is achieved.

Clinical profile and aetiologies of delayed puberty: a 15 years' experience from a tertiary centre in Sudan.

Delayed puberty is a common presentation to endocrine clinics, with adult height, sexual capability and fertility being the main concerns for the child and his/her family. Presentation is variable including short stature and/or absence of secondary sexual characteristics. The aetiology can either be constitutional, functional or permanent hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, permanent hypergonadotropic hypogonadism or unclassified. Despite the importance of this subject, there are no publications from Sudan. A retrospective hospital-based study. Records of all patients who were seen in the endocrinology unit at Gaffar Ibn Auf Children's Hospital and were diagnosed as having delayed puberty were reviewed and demographic, clinical, and investigations data were obtained. A total of 136 patients were included in this study. Presentation includes short stature in 52.2%, both short stature and delayed puberty in 27.2%, and delayed puberty in 20.6%. The most common aetiologies were permanent hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and functional hypogonadotropic hypogonadism presented in 37.5% and 36% respectively, while constitutional delay of growth and puberty was found in only 14.7%. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) was the most frequent chronic illness followed by coeliac disease. Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism was diagnosed in 11.7%, the majority of which were females. The aetiological pattern reported in this series highlights the role of nutrition and general well-being in pubertal development, as well as the major impact of genetics and consanguinity on disease patterns. Data from African countries are limited and this is the first reported cohort on delayed puberty from Sudan.

Sex-specific reference values for the crown heights of permanent anterior teeth and canines for assessing tooth wear

Objective We propose sex-specific reference values for the clinical crown height of anterior teeth and canines. Material and methods In this cross-sectional study, 1426 teeth were analysed from 169 undergraduate and postgraduate dental students (83 women and 86 men, median age 22 years). Teeth with worn or totally restored incisal edges, or gingival inflammation were excluded. Age, gender and body height were recorded and the degree of tooth wear was scored according to the quantification module of the Tooth Wear Evaluation System. The clinical crown heights of all anterior teeth and canines were measured from the gingival margin to the incisal edge with a digital calliper. Reference values for tooth groups were obtained at the percentiles 10, and expressed by sex if there was a significant difference between men and women. Results Mean crown heights were bigger in men than in women for each tooth group (p = .028). Clinical crown heights showed sexual dimorphism at the 10th percentiles for all tooth groups except for mandibular anterior teeth. Conclusions For assessing tooth wear, the sex-specific reference values for the clinical crown height of young adults Caucasoids range from 7.5 mm to 9.0 mm in women and from 7.5 mm to 9.5 in men.

Transgender Girls Grow Tall: Adult Height Is Unaffected by GnRH Analogue and Estradiol Treatment.

ContextTransgender adolescents can receive gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (GnRH) and gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), but little is known about effects on growth and adult height. This is of interest since height differs between sexes and some transgender girls wish to limit their growth.ObjectiveThis work aims to investigate the effects of GnRHa and GAHT on growth, and the efficacy of growth-reductive treatment.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study took place at a specialized tertiary gender clinic. A total of 161 transgender girls were treated with GnRHa and estradiol at a regular dose (2 mg) or high growth-reductive doses of estradiol (6 mg) or ethinyl estradiol (EE, 100-200 µg). Main outcome measures included growth, adult height, and the difference from predicted adult height (PAH) and target height.ResultsGrowth velocity and bone maturation decreased during GnRHa, but increased during GAHT. Adult height after regular-dose treatment was 180.4 ± 5.6 cm, which was 1.5 cm below PAH at the start GnRHa (95% CI, 0.2 cm to 2.7 cm), and close to target height (–1.1 cm; 95% CI, –2.5 cm to 0.3 cm). Compared to regular-dose treatment, high-dose estradiol and EE reduced adult height by 0.9 cm (95% CI, –0.9 cm to 2.8 cm) and 3.0 cm (95% CI, 0.2 cm to 5.8 cm), respectively.ConclusionGrowth decelerated during GnRHa and accelerated during GAHT. After regular-dose treatment, adult height was slightly lower than predicted at start of GnRHa, likely due to systematic overestimation of PAH as described in boys from the general population, but not significantly different from target height. High-dose EE resulted in greater reduction of adult height than high-dose estradiol, but this needs to be weighed against possible adverse effects.

PM2.5 exposure differences between children and adults

Heights of children and adults vary substantially and may cause different exposure to PM2.5 particles. We measured pedestrian PM2.5 exposure by foot following a 5.5 km route along kindergartens and schools in Mainz (Germany). Measurements were conducted in November 2019 on eight consecutive days at two heights, the potential breathing heights of adults in 1.6 and children in 1.0 m using Alphasense OPC-N3 low-cost sensors. We found that regardless of height level, persisting calm weather conditions including low wind speeds <1.0 m/s and lack of precipitation lead to increased PM2.5 exposure exceeding 67.8 μg/m3. Comparing the height levels revealed that the children were exposed to >20% higher concentrations on six days (p < 0.01), on a single day this difference exceeded 80% (24.7 μg/m3). Differences generally increased with increasing PM2.5 concentrations, though the latter are largely independent of the position along the route but varied strongly among days. These findings are supported by a microclimate simulation including traffic exhaust emissions revealing strongest height differences nearby streets with high traffic intensities. Our results demonstrate that children are exposed to considerably higher levels of PM2.5 that are typically not observed in the stationary networks recording aerosols on only one level.

Improved growth with growth hormone treatment in children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can be a curative treatment for malignant and nonmalignant diseases in children but is associated with significant late effects including growth failure. Growth hormone treatment (GHRx) is offered to improve growth, but limited data are available on its effect on adult height (AH). We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of GHRx. Single-center retrospective study. Thirty-four patients who had received GHRx for ≥1 year were matched with two controls each, without GHRx, based on sex, indication for HSCT (malignancy, benign haematological disease or immunodeficiency), age at HSCT and conditioning with/without total body irradiation (TBI). All had reached AH. The primary outcome measure was the difference between AH and predicted AH (PAH) at start of GHRx or the equivalent age in controls (AH-PAH), calculated according to Bailey and Pinneau. GHRx was started at age 12.0 ± 2.6 years; median treatment duration was 3.8 years (range 1.7-9.2). AH-PAHstandard deviation score (SDS) was significantly higher in growth hormone (GH) treated boys (-0.5 ± 0.7 SDS) than in controls (-1.5 ± 1.0 SDS, p &lt; .001). Girls also had a higher AH-PAH after GHRx (+0.5 ± 0.6 SDS) compared to controls (-0.2 SDS ±0.7, p &lt; .01). AH remained approximately 2 SDS below target height (TH) in treated and untreated individuals. Among GH-treated children, AH-PAH was higher in those who had received busulfan-based compared to TBI-based conditioning. GHRx had a significant positive effect on AH compared to PAH, although AH remained far below TH. Higher AH-PAH was observed in girls and in those conditioned without TBI.

Adult Height as a Risk Factor for Developing Colorectal Cancer: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Thailand.

Background:Previous studies have shown that a taller stature has a higher risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) than a shorter stature. However, most prior studies were conducted in the Western region, with few studies and inconsistent results for Asians. To our best knowledge, no previous research has investigated the population of ASEAN countries, which is generally shorter in stature than the Western population. We aimed to examine the association between adult height and CRC risk in a Thai population.Methods:This population-based cohort study was conducted in Khon Kaen, Thailand. Overall, 118 patients with CRC were histologically confirmed among 14,418 participants, who were recruited during 1990–2001 and followed up until December 31, 2020. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain baseline data, including demographic and environmental variables. The exposure of interest was measured in height and defined on the basis of the last recorded measurement. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. Results:Over a median of 21.7 years of follow-up (interquartile range: 19.9–25.6), 14,418 participants provided a total observation time of 303,899 person-years. The risk of CRC at the highest compared to the lowest height quintile was 1.29 (95% CI, 0.76–2.20; p=0.350). A trend similar to a U shape was observed (HR in Q1 vs. Q2=1.05; 95% CI, 0.62–1.75; Q1 vs. Q3=0.78; 95% CI, 0.43–1.39; Q1 vs. Q4=0.55; 95% CI, 0.29–1.05; and Q1 vs. Q5=1.29; 95% CI, 0.76–2.20). Conclusions:Although adult height was not statistically significant, its magnitude still indicated some clues to investigate as evidence, especially for people living in the context of ASEAN countries. Large-scale, comparable studies in such contexts should be considered for confirmation.

Comparison of Toddler Crown Rump Length and Leg Length in Four Low- and Middle-Income Research Sites: The Women First trial

ObjectivesLength at 2y of age is a strong indicator of adult height and potential for other adverse effects in adulthood; leg length (LL) is suggested to be the more nutritionally responsive component of height. These analyses examine body proportions- measured as linear crown rump length (CRL), LL, and CRL: LL- among 24 mo old children from four low- and middle-income settings with high stunting rates (average across 4 sites = 65%) participating in the Women First Preconception Maternal Nutrition Trial (WF). MethodsThe WF study is a nutrition intervention trial of maternal-child pairs in four diverse research sites (Democratic Republic of the Congo [DRC], Guatemala, India, and Pakistan). At 24 mo of age, toddler length and CRL were obtained and subsequently used to calculate LL (length-CRL). ANOVAs with post hoc Tukey HSD for each parameter were performed in JMP Pro 16.0.0. ResultsNo statistical differences were seen by maternal intervention arm, thus anthropometric data from 2,157 children (DRC n = 488, Guatemala n = 540, India n = 531, Pakistan n = 598) were explored by site. While mean (±SD) CRL did not significantly differ between Guatemala and India (48.9 ± 2.18, 48.9 ± 2.30cm), Pakistan and DRC (47.7 ± 2.52, 45.8 ± 2.22cm) had significantly lower mean CRL (p < 0.001), with DRC having the lowest value. Mean LL did not differ significantly between Guatemala and Pakistan (30.6 ± 1.74, 30.5 ± 2.21), nor between DRC and India (32.6 ± 2.28, 32.3 ± 2.01cm); however, DRC and India had significantly longer mean LL vs Guatemala and Pakistan (p < 0.0001). Statistically significant differences in mean CRL: LL (p < 0.0001) were observed among all four sites, with Guatemala exhibiting the largest mean (1.60 ± 0.09), attributable to shorter LL. ConclusionsCRL and LL are indicative of proportionality, a measure of impaired growth. These data highlight that among the four research sites in the WF trial, Guatemala, which exhibits the highest rate of maternal stunting, has the least favorable body proportions (largest CRL: LL). The difference in body proportions between sites despite nutritional intervention warrants further examination of genomic and environmental (including nutritional) factors that may have an effect on anthropometrics such as LL, CRL, and CRL: LL. Funding SourcesBill & Melinda Gates Foundation, NIH NICHD/ODS.

The Nuclear Medicine Patient as a Line Source: The Source Length Is Certainly Not the Patient Height, But It Is a Reasonable Approximation.

Nuclear medicine patients are a source of exposure and should receive instructions to restrict contact time with different categories of people. The calculation of the restriction time requires that the dose rate at a given distance, known from an initial measurement and a whole-body retention function, can be extrapolated at other distances. As a basis for this extrapolation, it has been suggested to consider the patient as a line source. However, the validity of this suggestion is based on a few studies and limited measurement distances. We collected from the literature dose rates of nuclear medicine patients measured at different distances and investigated the robustness of the line source model. The cases of 18 F-FDG exams, 99m Tc bone scan exams, and 131 I for hyperthyroidism treatment and remnants ablation were considered. The data were pooled, different cases of measurement time after administration were considered, and the data were fitted according to the line source model in which the half patient thickness was introduced. It was found that the line source model fits well the data put with a source length that is radionuclide-specific and significantly different from the standard adult height. However, considering a standard source length of 176 cm and neglecting the patient thickness induced at maximum an overestimation by a factor of 2.5 when extrapolating from 1 m to 10 cm. Such an overestimation is not of considerable importance in the calculation of contact restriction times.

Growing taller unequally? Adult height and socioeconomic status in Spain (Cohorts 1940–1994)

Socioeconomic inequalities and their evolution in different historical contexts have been widely studied. However, some of their dimensions remain relatively unexplored, such as the role played by socioeconomic status in the trajectory of biological living standards, especially net nutritional status. The main objective of this article is to analyze whether the power of socioeconomic status (SES) to explain differences in the biological dimensions of human well-being (in this case, adult height, a reliable metric for health and nutritional status) has increased or diminished over time. Educational attainment and occupational category have been used as two different proxies for the SES of Spanish men and women born between 1940 and 1994, thus covering a historical period in Spain characterized by remarkable socioeconomic development and a marked increase in mean adult height. Our data is drawn from nine waves of the Spanish National Health Survey and the Spanish sample of two waves of the European Health Interview Survey (ENSE) for the period 1987 to 2017 (N = 73,699 citizens aged 23–47). A multivariate regression analysis has been conducted, showing that, as a whole, height differentials by educational attainment have diminished over time, whereas differences by occupational category of household heads have largely persisted. These results indicate the need for further qualification when describing the process of convergence in biological well-being indicators across social groups. For instance, the progressive enrollment of a greater proportion of the population into higher educational levels may lead us to underestimate the real differences between socioeconomic groups, while other proxies of SES still point to the persistence of such differences.

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency and GH replacement therapy in patients previously treated for Cushing's disease.

Several complications associated with active Cushing's disease may persist even years after complete and successful therapeutic remission of hypercortisolism. Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) shares many clinical features seen in patients with Cushing's disease, and its presence after disease remission (GHD-CR) might negatively influence and potentially worsen the systemic complications caused by previous hypercortisolism. GHD-CR is more prevalent in women, and compared to other causes of GHD, patients are younger at the onset of the pituitary disease, at diagnosis of GHD-CR and at start of GH therapy; prevalence of pituitary macroadenomas and visual abnormalities are lower, while prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, low bone mass, fractures, and worst quality of life, are higher. Serum IGF-1 levels are not useful for the diagnosis of GHD-CR and the application of GH stimulating tests requires some special attention in addition to the general recommendations for detecting GHD from other etiologies. In patients with active hypercortisolism, GH secretion is completely suppressed, but it may spontaneously and progressively recover over the years following successful therapy, meaning that GH testing may be performed at an appropriate time after remission for the correct diagnosis. Moreover, if the patient presents concomitant adrenal insufficiency, GH testing should only be carried out under adequate cortisol replacement therapy. GH therapy in children with GHD-CR improves adult height in the majority of patients, while GH therapy in adults has been associated with improvements in body composition, lipid profile and quality of life, but also with worsening of glucose metabolism.

Timing of Puberty, Pubertal Growth, and Adult Height in Short Children Born Small for Gestational Age Treated With Growth Hormone.

Growth hormone (GH) is used to treat short children born small for gestational age (SGA); however, the effects of treatment on pubertal timing and adult height are rarely studied. To evaluate adult height and peak height velocity in short GH-treated SGA children. Prospective longitudinal multicenter study. Participants were short children born SGA treated with GH therapy (n = 102). Adult height was reported in 47 children. A reference cohort of Danish children was used. Main outcome measures were adult height, peak height velocity, age at peak height, and pubertal onset. Pubertal onset was converted to SD score (SDS) using Danish reference data. Gain in height SDS from start of treatment until adult height was significant in both girls (0.94 [0.75; 1.53] SDS, P = .02) and boys (1.57 [1.13; 2.15] SDS, P < .001). No difference in adult height between GH dosage groups was observed. Peak height velocity was lower than a reference cohort for girls (6.5 [5.9; 7.6] cm/year vs 7.9 [7.4; 8.5] cm/year, P < .001) and boys (9.5 [8.4; 10.7] cm/year vs 10.1 [9.7; 10.7] cm/year, P = .002), but no difference in age at peak height velocity was seen. Puberty onset was earlier in SGA boys than a reference cohort (1.06 [-0.03; 1.96] SDS vs 0 SDS, P = .002) but not in girls (0.38 [-0.19; 1.05] SDS vs 0 SDS, P = .18). GH treatment improved adult height. Peak height velocity was reduced, but age at peak height velocity did not differ compared with the reference cohort. SGA boys had an earlier pubertal onset compared with the reference cohort.

A Novel Method for Adult Height Prediction in Children With Idiopathic Short Stature Derived From a German-Dutch Cohort.

ContextPrediction of adult height (AH) is important in clinical management of short children. The conventional methods of Bayley-Pinneau (BP) or Roche-Wainer-Thissen (RWT) have limitations.ObjectiveWe aimed to develop a set of algorithms for AH prediction in patients with idiopathic short stature (ISS) which are specific for combinations of predicting variables.MethodsDemographic and auxologic data were collected in childhood (1980s) and at AH (1990s). Data were collected by Dutch and German referral centers for pediatric endocrinology. A total of 292 subjects with ISS (219 male, 73 female) were enrolled. The population was randomly split into modeling (n = 235) and validation (n = 57) cohorts. Linear multi-regression analysis was performed with predicted AH (PAH) as response variable and combinations of chronological age (CA), baseline height, parental heights, relative bone age (BA/CA), birth weight, and sex as exploratory variables.ResultsTen models including different exploratory variables were selected with adjusted R² ranging from 0.84 to 0.78 and prediction errors from 3.16 to 3.68 cm. Applied to the validation cohort, mean residuals (PAH minus observed AH) ranged from −0.29 to −0.82 cm, while the conventional methods showed some overprediction (BP: +0.53 cm; RWT: +1.33 cm; projected AH: +3.81 cm). There was no significant trend of residuals with PAH or any exploratory variables, in contrast to BP and projected AH.ConclusionThis set of 10 multi-regression algorithms, developed specifically for children with ISS, provides a flexible tool for AH prediction with better accuracy than the conventional methods.

Early corticosteroid withdrawal is associated with improved adult height in pediatric kidney transplant recipients.

Catch-up growth after pediatric kidney transplantation (kTx) is usually insufficient to reach normal adult height. We aimed to analyze the effect of pre-transplant recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) and corticosteroid withdrawal on linear growth in the first year after kidney transplantation and identify factors associated with final height (FH). Patients who underwent kTx between 1996 and 2018 at below 18years old in five Belgian and Dutch centers were included. We analyzed the differences between height Z-scores at kTx and 1year post-transplant (Δ height Z-score) in children with and without corticosteroids at 1year (CS + /CS -) and with and without rhGH treatment before kTx (rhGH + /rhGH -). Univariable and multivariable linear regression analysis was applied to identify factors associated with height Z-score at 1year post-kTx, Δ height Z-score, and FH Z-score. A total of 177 patients were included, with median age 9.3years at kTx. Median height Z-scores pre-kTx and 1year later in the CS - /rhGH - , CS + /rhGH - , CS - /rhGH + , and CS + /rhGH + groups were - 1.42/ - 0.80, - 0.90/ - 0.62, - 1.35/ - 1.20, and - 1.30/ - 1.60 (p = 0.001). CS use 1year post-kTx was the only factor associated with Δ height (p = 0.003) on multivariable analysis. CS use at 1year was the only variable associated with FH (p = 0.014) in children with pre-transplant height Z-score below - 1 (n = 52). Increase in height Z-score in the first year post-kTx was highest in the CS - /rhGH - group and lowest in the CS + /rhGH + group. The use of corticosteroids at 1year post-kTx is associated with catch-up growth and in children with pre-transplant height Z-score below - 1 also with final height. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Lipid peroxidation biomarkers associated with height and obesity measures in the opposite direction in women.

This study aimed to investigate whether and how lipid peroxidation markers are associated with height and obesity measures. In two independent samples of women (Study 1: n = 1,005; Study 2: n=1,158), systemic levels of lipid peroxidation were assessed by urinary markers F2 -isoprostanes (F2 -IsoPs) and its major metabolite (F2 -IsoP-M), with gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry assays. Anthropometric parameters were directly measured and genetically estimated, and they were used in the primary analysis and in a Mendelian randomization analysis in relation to lipid peroxidation, respectively, with general linear models. After adjusting for potential confounders, it was found that measured adult height was inversely associated with levels of F2 -IsoPs (β = -0.89, p < 0.001) and F2 -IsoP-M (β = -0.71, p = 0.003), whereas obesity measures were positively associated with F2 -IsoP-M (β = 1.81, p < 0.001 for BMI; and β = 0.77, p < 0.001 for waist circumference). Results were consistent between the two study samples. The opposite associations were further replicated when using genetically determined measures of height and obesity in the Mendelian randomization analysis. Moreover, analyses mutually adjusted for height and obesity measures suggested that these associations were independent of one another. This study, for the first time, to our knowledge, reveals that a shared biological process (lipid peroxidation) is associated with both height and obesity measures but in the opposite direction.

Genetic associations of adult height with risk of cardioembolic and other subtypes of ischemic stroke: A mendelian randomization study in multiple ancestries.

BackgroundTaller adult height is associated with lower risks of ischemic heart disease in mendelian randomization (MR) studies, but little is known about the causal relevance of height for different subtypes of ischemic stroke. The present study examined the causal relevance of height for different subtypes of ischemic stroke.Methods and findingsHeight-associated genetic variants (up to 2,337) from previous genome-wide association studies (GWASs) were used to construct genetic instruments in different ancestral populations. Two-sample MR approaches were used to examine the associations of genetically determined height with ischemic stroke and its subtypes (cardioembolic stroke, large-artery stroke, and small-vessel stroke) in multiple ancestries (the MEGASTROKE consortium, which included genome-wide studies of stroke and stroke subtypes: 60,341 ischemic stroke cases) supported by additional cases in individuals of white British ancestry (UK Biobank [UKB]: 4,055 cases) and Chinese ancestry (China Kadoorie Biobank [CKB]: 10,297 cases). The associations of genetically determined height with established cardiovascular and other risk factors were examined in 336,750 participants from UKB and 58,277 participants from CKB. In MEGASTROKE, genetically determined height was associated with a 4% lower risk (odds ratio [OR] 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94, 0.99; p = 0.007) of ischemic stroke per 1 standard deviation (SD) taller height, but this masked a much stronger positive association of height with cardioembolic stroke (13% higher risk, OR 1.13 [95% CI 1.07, 1.19], p < 0.001) and stronger inverse associations with large-artery stroke (11% lower risk, OR 0.89 [0.84, 0.95], p < 0.001) and small-vessel stroke (13% lower risk, OR 0.87 [0.83, 0.92], p < 0.001). The findings in both UKB and CKB were directionally concordant with those observed in MEGASTROKE, but did not reach statistical significance: For presumed cardioembolic stroke, the ORs were 1.08 (95% CI 0.86, 1.35; p = 0.53) in UKB and 1.20 (0.77, 1.85; p = 0.43) in CKB; for other subtypes of ischemic stroke in UKB, the OR was 0.97 (95% CI 0.90, 1.05; p = 0.49); and for other nonlacunar stroke and lacunar stroke in CKB, the ORs were 0.89 (0.80, 1.00; p = 0.06) and 0.99 (0.88, 1.12; p = 0.85), respectively. In addition, genetically determined height was also positively associated with atrial fibrillation (available only in UKB), and with lean body mass and lung function, and inversely associated with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in both British and Chinese ancestries. Limitations of this study include potential bias from assortative mating or pleiotropic effects of genetic variants and incomplete generalizability of genetic instruments to different populations.ConclusionsThe findings provide support for a causal association of taller adult height with higher risk of cardioembolic stroke and lower risk of other ischemic stroke subtypes in diverse ancestries. Further research is needed to understand the shared biological and physical pathways underlying the associations between height and stroke risks, which could identify potential targets for treatments to prevent stroke.

Early life famine exposure and anthropometric profile in adulthood: a systematic review and Meta-analysis

BackgroundPrevious famine studies reported the association between early life famine exposure and adulthood anthropometric profile. However, the findings were variable. Thus, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to clarify the association of famine exposure in early life with the anthropometric profiles in adults.MethodsPotentially relevant studies were searched through Scopus, Medline, Google Scholar and Google for gray literature and reference lists of previous studies. The random effects model (REM) and I2 test was used to adapt the pooling method and assess heterogeneity, respectively.ResultsPrenatal famine exposure was associated with increased risk of body mass index [SMD = 0.10 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.18)], waist circumference [SMD = 0.21 (95% CI: 0.11, 0.31)] in adults. Likewise, famine exposure during prenatal life was associated with decreased adult height [SMD) = − 0.26 (95% CI: − 0.44, − 0.09)]. Moreover, famine exposure during early childhood was associated with increased risk of waist circumference [SMD = 0.09 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.16)] and decreased adult height [SMD = − 0.16 (95% CI: − 0.27, − 0.04)].ConclusionOur finding indicates that exposure to famine during early life was associated with the anthropometric profile of adults. In terms of public health significance, the results of the study further underscore the importance of improving the nutritional status of mothers and children to prevent adulthood diseases in the long run.Systematic review registration numberPROSPERO CRD42020168424

Anthropometric Equations to Determine Maximum Height in Adults ≥ 60 Years: A Systematic Review.

Although it is common to measure bone lengths for study, methodological errors in data measurement and processing often invalidate their clinical and scientific usefulness. This manuscript reviews the validity of several published equations used to determine the maximum height in older adults, since height is an anthropometric parameter widely employed in health sciences. A systematic review of original articles published in the English, Spanish, or Portuguese languages was performed in PubMed, ScienceDirect, EBSCO, Springer Link, and two institutional publisher integrators (UACJ and CONRICYT). The search terms were included in the metasearch engines in a combined way and text form using the Boolean connectors AND and OR {(Determination OR Estimation OR Equation) AND Height AND (Elderly OR “Older adults”)}. Eleven manuscripts were selected from 1935 records identified through database searching after applying the following criteria: (1) original articles that designed and validated equations for the determination of height by anthropometric methods in adults 60 years of age and older and (2) manuscripts that presented robust evidence of validation of the proposed regression models. The validity of the reported linear regression models was assessed throughout a manuscript review process called multi-objective optimization that considered the collection of the models, the prediction errors, and the adjustment values (i.e., R2, standard error of estimation, and pure error). A total of 64 equations were designed and validated in 45,449 participants (57.1% women) from four continents: America (85.3%, with 46 equations), Asia (8.1%, with 10), Europe (4.6%, with 7), and Africa (2.0%, with 1); the Hispanic American ethnic group was the most numerous in participants and equations (69.0%, with 28). Due to various omissions and methodological errors, this study did not find any valid and reliable equations to assess the maximum height in older adults by anthropometric methods. It is proposed to adjust allometric mathematical models that can be interpreted in the light of ontogenetic processes.