Pubertal Development In Girls Research Articles

Premature Thelarche: An Updated Review.

Premature thelarche is the most common pubertal disorder in girls. The condition should be differentiated from central precocious puberty which may result in early epiphyseal fusion and reduced adult height, necessitating treatment. The purpose of this article is to familiarize physicians with the clinical manifestations of premature thelarche and laboratory tests that may help distinguish premature thelarche from central precocious puberty. A search was conducted in September 2022 in PubMed Clinical Queries using the key term "Premature thelarche". The search strategy included all clinical trials, observational studies, and reviews published within the past 10 years. Only papers published in the English literature were included in this review. The information retrieved from the above search was used to compile the present article. Premature thelarche denotes isolated breast development before the age of 8 years in girls who do not manifest other signs of pubertal development. The condition is especially prevalent during the first two years of life. The majority of cases of premature thelarche are idiopathic. The condition may result from an unsuppressed hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in the early years of life, an "overactivation" of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in early childhood secondary to altered sensitivity to steroids of the hypothalamic receptors controlling sexual maturation, increased circulating free estradiol, increased sensitivity of breast tissue to estrogens, and exposure to exogenous estrogens. The cardinal feature of premature thelarche is breast development which occurs without additional signs of pubertal development in girls under 8 years of age. The enlargement may involve only one breast, both breasts asymmetrically, or both breasts symmetrically. The breast size may fluctuate cyclically. The enlarged breast tissue may be transiently tender. There should be no significant changes in the nipples or areolae and no pubic or axillary hair. The vulva, labia majora, labia minora, and vagina remain prepubertal. Affected girls have a childlike body habitus and do not have mature contours. They are of average height and weight. Growth and osseous maturation, the onset of puberty and menarche, and the pattern of adolescent sexual development remain normal. Most cases of premature thelarche can be diagnosed on clinical grounds. Laboratory tests are seldom indicated. No single test can reliably differentiate premature thelarche from precocious puberty. Premature thelarche is benign, and no therapy is necessary apart from parental reassurance. As enlargement of breasts may be the first sign of central precocious puberty, a prolonged follow- up period every 3 to 6 months with close monitoring of other pubertal events and linear growth is indicated in all instances.

Sibling relatedness and pubertal development in girls and boys: A population-based cohort study

PurposeTo investigate the association between sibling relatedness and pubertal development in girls and boys. MethodsThis cohort study consisted of 10,657 children from the Puberty Cohort, Denmark. Information on sibling relatedness was obtained by self-report. Information on pubertal markers was obtained half yearly from age 11 and throughout puberty. Mean age difference at attaining pubertal markers was estimated using interval-censored regression models according to sibling relatedness (full, half and/or step siblings; half and/or step siblings; no siblings; relative to full siblings). ResultsGirls with both full, half and/or step siblings (−1.2 (CI 95 %: −2.5; 0.1) months), only half- and/or stepsiblings (−2.2 (CI 95 %: −3.7; −0.7) months), and no siblings (−5.5 (CI 95 %: −8.5; −2.5) months) entered puberty earlier than girls with full siblings. Boys with full, half and/or step siblings (−1.4 (CI 95 %: −2.7; −0.1) months), only half and/or step siblings (−1.2 (CI 95 %: −3.0; 0.6) months), and no siblings (−4.5 (CI 95 %: −8.8; −0.3) months) entered puberty earlier than boys with full siblings. ConclusionsChildren with sibling relatedness other than full siblings entered puberty earlier than their peers with full siblings even after adjustment for parental cohabitation status, childhood body mass index and childhood internalizing and externalizing symptoms.

Quality of life, neuro-humoral status and physical performance in adolescents with sinus tachycardia

The variety of causes, conditions and prognosis of sinus tachycardia (ST) had determined the study examining the quality of life, neurohumoral status as well as ST course in 17-year-old adolescents compared to their peers without heart rhythm disorders. The aim was to study neurohumoral status, quality of life and physical performance in adolescents of both sexes, aged 17 years with diagnosed ST during preventive examination using 24-hour ECG monitoring. Materials and methods. In the open prospective study, 165 adolescents (74 boys and 91 girls) with a mean age of 17.5 ± 0.5 years were enrolled. 24-hour ECG monitoring showed increased heart rate >90 bpm in 12 boys and 19 girls considered themselves healthy. All the children were examined according to a program including 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, heart rate variability, serum concentrations of the main hormones, endothelin and copeptin. Health-related quality of life was measured by the SF-36 questionnaire. A physical work capacity test (PWC170) on a bicycle ergometer was evaluated in an 8-month physical rehabilitation program. Results. Adolescents of both sexes with ST were hypersympathicotonic with humoral dysregulation of the sinoatrial node, grade I arterial hypertension, elevated blood levels of estradiol and osteocalcin and low renin in females. ST in adolescents was associated with reduced physical performance, the restoration of which was accompanied by ST termination. Conclusions. The examination of the 165 adolescents with the mean age of 17.5 years who considered themselves healthy has revealed 12 (16.6 %) males and 19 (22.9 %) females with ST and mean 24-hour heart rate >90 bpm. The children have been clinically diagnosed with inappropriate ST based on international classification, that were inadequate to healthy state. ST was accompanied by hypersympathicotonic type of sinoatrial node humoral dysregulation, grade I arterial hypertension in boys, abnormal pubertal development in girls with elevated blood levels of total estradiol and osteocalcin and low free renin levels, lowered levels of quality of life on role functioning of the SF-36 questionnaire. Adolescents with ST had lower performance in the PWC170 tests. The completion of the 8-week physical rehabilitation program via stationary cycling exercises has resulted in improved physical performance based on the PWC170 test from baseline levels of 8.6 ± 1.9 kgm/min per kg body weight to 12.8 ± 2.1 kgm /min per kg in girls (p = 0.08) and from 13.2 ± 1.5 kgm/min to 15.9 ± 1.6 kgm/min per kg body weight in boys (p > 0.1), that was accompanied by ST termination.

Ultra-processed Food, Carboxymethyl-lysine and Pubertal Development in Girls

Ultra-processed Food, Carboxymethyl-lysine and Pubertal Development in Girls

Serum INSL3 measured by LC-MS/MS in pubertal girls and in girls with precocious puberty during GnRH agonist treatment.

The peptide hormone Insulin-like Factor 3 (INSL3) is a biomarker of testicular Leydig cells in the male but is also expressed by the theca cells of the ovaries. With the advent of sensitive assays INSL3 can be quantified in female circulation, and we suggest that circulating INSL3 is a novel biomarker for pubertal development in girls. The aim of the study is to quantify INSL3 by LC-MS/MS in sera from normal girls during pubertal transition, and during gonadal suppression by GnRH agonist therapy in girls with central precocious puberty (CPP). The sensitivity of an established LC-MS/MS-based method for serum INSL3 was improved by switching to a state-of-the-art triple quadruple mass spectrometer (Altis Plus, Thermo). The limit of detection of the improved LC-MS/MS method for serum INSL3 was 0.01 ug/L (1.5 pM) and the inter-assay CV was < 12%. Serum INSL3 increased during the pubertal transition in healthy girls and changes correlated with the concomitant rise in other measured hormones. In some girls, but not all, INSL3, FSH, inhibin B and estradiol serum concentrations increased prior to first clinical signs of puberty. Serum INSL3 concentrations were increased at baseline in girls with CPP compared to prepubertal controls and decreased during treatment with GnRH agonist followed by a steep rise and normalization after cessation of treatment. The improved method allowed for quantification of INSL3 in longitudinally collected serum samples during pubertal transition in healthy girls as well as in girls with CPP before, during and after treatment with GnRH agonist. Future studies are needed to clarify if INSL3 in combination with other biomarkers enhances the predictive value of differentiating between premature thelarche and CPP.

Joint association of overweight/obesity, high electronic screen time, and low physical activity time with early pubertal development in girls: a case–control study

To examine the joint association of electronic screen time (EST), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time (MVPA) and overweight/obesity with early pubertal development (EPD) in girls. A case–control study of 177 EPD girls and 354 girls with normal pubertal development was conducted between October 2019 and August 2022. Overweight/obesity was defined as body mass index ≥ 85th percentiles for age and sex. We found a non-significant increase of EPD risk among girls with high EST alone [OR: 2.75 (0.65–11.58)] or low MVPA alone [OR: 2.54 (0.74–8.69)], but a significant increase of EPD risk among girls with overweight/obesity alone [OR: 4.91 (1.01–23.92)], compared to girls without any of the three risk factors (low MVPA, high EST and overweight/obesity). Girls with any two of the three risk factors faced increased risk of EPD, and girls with all three risk factors faced the highest risk of EPD [OR and 95% CI: 26.10 (6.40–106.45)]. Being overweight/obesity might be more important than having low MVPA or high EST as a correlate of EPD compared to girls without any of the three risk factors, but the co-presence of low MVPA, high EST and overweight/obesity would largely increase the risk of EPD in girls.

Correlation of pelvic ultrasonography with pubertal development in girls.

This study aims to correlate pelvic ultrasound with female puberty and evaluate the usual ultrasound parameters as diagnostic tests for the onset of puberty and, in particular, a less studied parameter: the Doppler evaluation of the uterine arteries. Cross-sectional study with girls aged from one to less than eighteen years old, with normal pubertal development, who underwent pelvic ultrasound examination from November 2020 to December 2021. The presence of thelarche was the clinical criterion to distinguish pubescent from non-pubescent girls. The sonographic parameters were evaluated using the ROC curve and the cutoff point defined through the Youden index (J). 60 girls were included in the study. Uterine volume ≥ 2.45mL had a sensitivity of 93%, specificity of 90%, PPV of 90%, NPV of 93% and accuracy of 91% (AUC 0.972) for predicting the onset of puberty. Mean ovarian volume ≥ 1.48mL had a sensitivity of 96%, specificity of 90%, PPV of 90%, NPV of 97% and accuracy of 93% (AUC 0.966). Mean PI ≤ 2.75 had 100% sensitivity, 48% specificity, 62% PPV, 100% NPV and 72% accuracy (AUC 0.756) for predicting the onset of puberty. Pelvic ultrasound proved to be an excellent tool for female pubertal assessment and uterine and ovarian volume, the best ultrasound parameters for detecting the onset of puberty. The PI of the uterine arteries, in this study, although useful in the pubertal evaluation, showed lower accuracy in relation to the uterine and ovarian volume.

Pineal cysts may promote pubertal development in girls with central precocious puberty: a single-center study from China.

Pineal cysts have long been considered a benign intracranial variation. However, in our clinical practice, it has been observed that some children with central precocious puberty (CPP) who have pineal cysts experience rapid progression in adolescent development. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of CPP in girls, leading to more diagnoses of CPP among children with pineal cysts. Despite this, there is no consensus regarding whether pineal cysts contribute to CPP as one of its organic factors. This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of pineal cysts in children with CPP and explore the potential effects of pineal cysts on puberty development. This single-center study retrospectively analyzed clinical data from girls aged 3 to 10 years who underwent head/pituitary magnetic resonance imaging at the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University between 2019 and 2022. The study categorized the detection rates of pineal cysts based on systematic disease classification and compared the rates of cyst detection between girls diagnosed with CPP and those without CPP. Subsequently, CPP-diagnosed girls with pineal cysts were examined. Among CPP-diagnosed girls meeting the study's criteria, those with pineal cysts formed the 'cyst group,' while those without cysts were matched in a 1:1 ratio based on age and body mass index to form the 'non-cyst group.' Comparative analyses were conducted to assess the clinical characteristics between these two groups. CPP-diagnosed girls with cysts were further subdivided into three groups according to cyst size (≤5 mm, 5.1-9.9 mm, and ≥10 mm) to investigate potential differences in clinical characteristics among these subgroups. The study involved an analysis of clinical data from girls diagnosed with CPP and included imaging follow-ups to explore the progression of pineal cysts over time. Among the 23,245 girls who underwent head/pituitary magnetic resonance imaging scans, the detection rate of pineal cysts was 3.6% (837/23,245), with most cases being associated with endocrine diseases. The detection rate of pineal cysts in CPP patients was 6.4% (262/4099), which was significantly higher than the 3.0% (575/19,146) in patients without CPP. In comparison to the non-cyst group, the cyst group exhibited statistically significant increases in estradiol levels, peak luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, peak LH/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratios, uterine body length, and cervix length (P < 0.001). As cyst size increased, there were significant rises in LH peak, peak LH/FSH ratio, uterine body length, and cervical length (P < 0.01). Estradiol levels and left ovarian volume also showed an increasing trend (P < 0.05). Among girls who underwent follow-up imaging, 26.3% (5/19) exhibited an increase in cyst size. Pineal cysts are relatively common in children with CPP. They may affect the pubertal development process, with larger cysts correlating to faster pubertal development. Therefore, the authors hypothesize that pineal cysts may trigger CPP in some cases, especially when the cysts are larger than 5mm in size, as indicated by our data.

The association between phthalate exposure and pubertal development.

Our results suggest that phthalate exposure, especially exposure to the HMWP, may have inverse association with male pubertal development. Further investigation is required to verify the relationship of phthalate exposure and pubertal development in girls. • Exposure to phthalates may have antiandrogenic effects. • Studies on the association between phthalates and pubertal development have yielded inconsistent results. • Phthalate levels were inversely associated with self-reported pubertal stages in boys. • Exposure to phthalates might have a negative influence on male pubertal development.

Pubertal Development in Girls with Beta Thalassaemia and Assessment of the Adequacy of Chelation Therapy: A Quasi-experimental Study

Introduction: Beta thalassaemia is the most prevalent hereditary autosomal disorder, significantly impacting endocrine function during pubertal development. The pathology is rooted in the excessive deposition of iron in vital organs. If left untreated, this condition leads to serious morbidity and mortality. Hypogonadism stands as the most common endocrine complication. Aim: To observe pubertal development in girls with thalassaemia and evaluate the adequacy of chelation therapy in such patients by measuring levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinising Hormone (LH), oestrogen, and serum ferritin. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Thalassaemia Clinic at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Burdwan Medical College, Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal, India involving 300 diagnosed Beta Thalassaemia Major (BTM) (case) patients aged 13 to 17 years over a period of one and a half years (January 2020 to June 2021). The girls in the study groups were sequentially enrolled from the Outpatient Department of the Thalassaemia Clinic after meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic data, anthropometric measurements, and Sexual Maturity Rating (SMR) were recorded. Hormonal assays of serum FSH, LH, oestrogen, and serum ferritin levels were conducted. Thalassaemic girls with serum ferritin levels exceeding 500 ng/mL received chelation therapy. Serum ferritin levels were measured at two-month intervals for up to six months, with reassessment of serum FSH, LH, oestrogen, and ferritin levels at the end of the six-month period. Statistical analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0, Microsoft excel spreadsheet, and Epi Info 7. Results: A total of 190 (63.3%) of the thalassaemic girls were aged 13 to 15 years, with a mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 22.5000±2.6100 kg/m2 , and 74 of them (38.94%) experienced menarche in this age group. Out of 300 cases, 269 thalassaemic girls (89.6%) received chelation therapy, and 89 cases (33.09%) reached menarche after chelation therapy. A significant (p&lt;0.0001) increase in mean LH and FSH levels was observed after chelation therapy. The mean ferritin level decreased from 3168.85 ng/mL to 2227.24 ng/mL following chelation therapy. Conclusion: Pubertal development failure is common in beta thalassaemic girls. Intervention in the form of adequate chelation therapy in girls with high serum ferritin levels yielded favourable outcomes, as evident from serum gonadotropin and oestrogen levels.

Outcomes of pubertal development in girls as a function of pubertal onset age

Outcomes of pubertal development in girls as a function of pubertal onset age

Research progress on influencing factors of early adiposity rebound in children and the effect on adolescent development in girls

With the increasing rate of overweight and obesity in children worldwide, adiposity rebound(AR)closely related to obesity has become the spotlight, and early AR phase has a broad impact on pubertal development in girls, but the specific mechanism of action isn't very clear.This paper is review of the prevalence of early AR at home and abroad, and its influencing factors, the impact of AR on the adolescent development of girls and related mechanisms, to identify high-risk individuals with early AR, early AR to identify early adolescent development, and take early intervention measures to promote children's health.

Urinary Biomarkers of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Timing of Pubertal Development: The California PAH Study.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Few studies have evaluated the association between pubertal development in girls and PAH exposures quantified by urinary biomarkers. We examined associations of urinary PAH metabolites with pubertal development in 358 girls 6-16 years of age from the San Francisco Bay Area enrolled in a prospective cohort from 2011 to 2013 and followed until 2020. Using baseline data, we assessed associations of urinary PAH metabolites with pubertal development stage. In prospective analyses limited to girls who at baseline had not yet started breast (N = 176) or pubic hair (N = 179) development or menstruation (N = 267), we used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression to assess associations of urinary PAH metabolites with the onset of breast and pubic hair development, menstruation, and pubertal tempo (interval between the onset of breast development and menstruation). We detected PAH metabolites in >98% of girls. In cross-sectional analyses using baseline data, PAH metabolites were not associated with the pubertal development stage. In prospective analyses, higher concentrations (≥ median) of some PAH metabolites were associated with two-fold higher odds of earlier breast development (2-hydroxy naphthalene, 1-hydroxy phenanthrene, summed hydroxy phenanthrenes) or pubic hair development (1-hydroxy naphthalene) among girls overweight at baseline (body mass index-for-age percentile ≥85) compared with nonoverweight girls with lower metabolites concentrations. PAH metabolites were not associated with age at menarche or pubertal tempo. PAH exposures were widespread in our sample. Our results support the hypothesis that, in overweight girls, PAHs impact the timing of pubertal development, an important risk factor for breast cancer.

260 Magnetic resonnance imaging evaluation of cervical length by the women[StQuote]s age: A retrospective cohort study

Objective: The anthropometric characteristics of the uterus evolve with pubertal development in girls. It is therefore permissible to ask until these anthropometric characteristics change, in order to know if the cervical length criterion defined for preterm delivery threats is applicable to all ages. The main objective of our study was to analyze the evolution of cervical length with the women’s age outside pregnancy to overcome factors related to pregnancy that can affect cervical length. Material and methods: This retrospective descriptive study over a period of 1 year from March 2017 to March 2018.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Back Pain in Children and Adolescents from the Region of Murcia (Spain): ISQUIOS Programme.

Puberty is a vulnerable period for musculoskeletal disorders due to the existence of a wide inter-individual variation in growth and development. The main objective of the present study was to describe the prevalence of back pain (BP) in the past year and month in school-aged children according to sex, age, maturity status, body mass index (BMI) and pain characteristics. This study involved 513 students aged between 9 and 16 years. Anthropometric measures were recorded to calculate the maturity stage of the students using a regression equation comprising measures for age, body mass, body height, sitting height and leg length. An ad hoc questionnaire composed of eight questions was used to describe BP prevalence in school-aged children. The results showed that the prevalence of BP in school-aged children was observed in 35.1% over the last year (45% boys and 55% girls), and 17.3% (40.4% boys and 59.6% girls, with an association found between female sex and BP) in the last month. The prevalence of back pain in the past year and month was higher the older the students were, or the more pubertal development they had experienced. The prevalence of BP in the last year was also higher in those with overweight or obesity. After adjustment for sex, there was an association between BP and older age and higher BMI in boys and an association between BP and higher pubertal development in girls. In summary, the present study showed that the prevalence of BP was related to the maturity stage and weight of the participants, with different prevalence patterns found according to sex.

Ultrasound findings of pubertal development in girls with cystic fibrosis and their association with clinical outcomes and Tanner staging.

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have a high incidence of pubertal and growth delay. In girls with CF, pubertal delay has an important psychological impact. Still, only a few studies have explored the occurrence of pubertal delay in girls with CF. The aims of this study were to compare the pubertal development of girls with CF compared with healthy controls regarding Tanner staging and pelvic ultrasound and, in girls with CF, correlate the findings with those of spirometry, body mass index, Shwachman-Kulczycki score (SKS), and genotyping. This was a cross-sectional, case-control study including 35 girls with CF aged 6-17 years and following up at the Pediatric Pulmonology Outpatient Clinic of a tertiary hospital. These patients were compared with 59 healthy controls who had undergone pelvic ultrasound as part of another study conducted by the same group. Girls with CF were consecutively enrolled in the study during their annual routine check-up visit. Data collected in the CF group included spirometry and anthropometric results, SKS values, bone age, occurrence of current cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization, history of meconium ileus, genotype, ultrasound parameters, and Tanner stage. Pelvic ultrasound findings and Tanner stage reflected less pubertal development in girls with CF compared with healthy controls. Pubertal stage in patients with CF who presented CFRD (3.17 ± 1.16), had chronic colonization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.10 ± 1.10), or were homozygous for the F508del mutation (1.91 ± 1.30) was more delayed than in controls (3.41 ± 1.41). Tanner stage correlated with age at menarche, bone age, and anthropometric and ultrasound data. Girls with CF presented a delay in pubertal development evaluated by Tanner stage and ultrasound parameters, which was more evident in the presence of comorbidities.

Thyroid Function Changes and Pubertal Progress in Females: A Longitudinal Study in Iodine-Sufficient Areas of East China.

BackgroundThe onset of puberty is influenced by thyroid function, and thyroid hormones (THs) fluctuate substantially during the period of pubertal development. However, it needs to be further clarified how THs change at specific puberty stages and how it influences pubertal development in girls. So far, longitudinal data from China are scarce.MethodsA cohort study was conducted among girls during puberty in iodine-sufficient regions of East China between 2017 to 2019. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) were determined for each participant. Thyroid homeostasis structure parameters (THSPs), including the ratio of FT4 to FT3 (FT4/FT3), Jostel’s TSH index (TSHI), and thyroid feedback quantile-based index (TFQI), were calculated. Puberty category scores (PCS), calculated based on the Puberty Development Scale (PDS), was used to assess the stage of puberty. Girls were grouped into three categories according to PCS changes (△PCS) and six categories according puberty stage (BPFP: pre-pubertal at both baseline and follow-up; BPFL: pre-pubertal at baseline and late-pubertal at follow-up, respectively; BPFT: pre-pubertal at baseline and post-pubertal at follow-up, respectively; BLFL: late-pubertal at both baseline and follow-up; BLFT: late-pubertal at baseline and post-pubertal at follow-up, respectively; BTFT: post-pubertal at both baseline and follow-up). Multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the associations of THs changes with pubertal progress.ResultsThe levels of serum TSH and FT3 decreased while serum FT4 increased during the study period (P<0.001). In multiple linear regression analyses, after adjustment for covariables, FT3 decreased by an additional 0.24 pmol/L (95% CI: -0.47 to -0.01) in the higher △PCS group than the lower △PCS group. Compared with the BLFL group, the BPFT group showed an additional decline in FT3 (β= -0.39 pmol/L, 95%CI: -0.73 to -0.04), the BTFT group showed a lower decline in TSH (β=0.50 mU/L, 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.80) and a lower decline in TSHI (β=0.24, 95%CI: 0.06 to 0.41), respectively. There was no association of △FT4 or △TFQI with △PCS or the puberty pattern.ConclusionsSerum TSH and FT3 decreased while serum FT4 increased among girls during puberty. Both the initial stage and the velocity of pubertal development were related to thyroid hormone fluctuations.

The role of pubertal status and sleep satisfaction in emotion reactivity and regulation in children and adolescents.

This study investigated the role of pubertal status and hormones in the association between sleep satisfaction and self-reported emotion functioning in 256 children and adolescents aged 8-15. Self-report data was provided on sleep duration, sleep satisfaction, and emotion reactivity and regulation, and a saliva sample was obtained for hormone measures. A subset of children also wore an Actigraph watch to measure sleep for a week. Latent-class analysis revealed three classes of sleepers: Satisfied, Moderately Satisfied, and Dissatisfied. Dissatisfied sleepers reported more difficulties with emotion regulation and greater emotion reactivity than Satisfied sleepers. High difficulties with emotion regulation was associated with shorter objective sleep duration, and high emotion reactivity was associated with lower sleep efficiency. For girls, Dissatisfied sleepers reported being further through pubertal development than Satisfied sleepers. There were also significant correlations between pubertal development and shorter sleep duration and longer sleep latency in girls, and shorter and more irregular sleep in boys. Finally, pubertal development in girls was a significant moderator in the relationship between sleep satisfaction and difficulties with emotion regulation in Dissatisfied sleepers, such that being further through puberty and having unsatisfactory sleep resulted in the highest emotion regulation difficulties. This study expands on previous literature by considering the role of sleep satisfaction and the interaction with puberty development on emotion function. Specifically, a role for pubertal development was identified in the association between unsatisfactory sleep and emotion regulation in girls.

Father Absence in Pregnancy or During Childhood and Pubertal Development in Girls and Boys: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

This cohort study, including 15,810 children born 2000-2003 in Denmark, aimed to investigate the association between father absence in pregnancy or during childhood and pubertal development in girls and boys. The children were followed from 11years of age and throughout pubertal development. Mean age differences according to exposure groups were estimated for each pubertal marker separately and for a combined pubertal marker. The results suggested that father absence in pregnancy and during childhood was associated with earlier pubertal development in girls, and father absence from late childhood was associated with earlier pubertal development in boys. The paternal investment theory, the psychosocial acceleration theory and the energetics theory were explored, and did not seem to explain the observed associations.

Clinical, Metabolic and Hormonal Profiles of Bangladeshi Adolescents with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Background: The features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) vary greatly among adolescent girls and adult women. Some of the features of PCOS may overlap with features of normal pubertal development in girls. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents newly diagnosed with PCOS attending a tertiary hospital in Bangladesh. The relevant clinical, metabolic and hormonal profiles of 175 participants were evaluated. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 16.8 (±1.7) years. Oligomenorrhea was the predominant menstrual irregularity (88%). More than one-quarter of participants (27.4%) had a first-degree relative with PCOS, and 12% had a first-degree relative with type 2 diabetes. More than three-quarters (77.7%) had acanthosis nigricans. The majority (69.1%) were overweight (29.7%) or obese (39.4%), whereas 6.3% were underweight. A total of 65.7% had abdominal obesity. One-fifth (20%) of participants had pre-hypertension, and 3.4% were hypertensive. Around one-quarter (24%) had abnormal glucose tolerance (prediabetes 21.1%, diabetes 2.9%) and the majority (90.9%) had dyslipidaemia. The median Ferriman-Gallwey score was 12, 94.9% of participants had hirsutism and 33.7% had biochemical hyperandrogenism. Metabolic syndrome was present in 42.3% of participants. Higher body mass index and presence of hirsutism were associated with higher risks of metabolic syndrome. Conclusions: The clinical, metabolic and hormonal profiles of Bangladeshi adolescents with PCOS highlight risk factors and the need for clinical vigilance with respect to metabolic disease.