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Selected Works of Mildred Maisonet
Article
Role of Prenatal Characteristics and Early Growth on Pubertal Attainment of British Girls
Pediatrics (2010)
  • Mildred Maisonet, Emory University
  • Krista Yorita Christensen, Emory University
  • Carol Rubin, National Center for Environmental Health
  • Adrianne Holmes, National Center for Environmental Health
  • W. Dana Flanders, Emory University
  • Jon Heron, University of Bristol
  • Ken K. Ong, Institute of Metabolic Science
  • Jean Golding, University of Bristol
  • Michael A. McGeehin, National Center for Environmental Health
  • Michele Marcus, Emory University
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to explore the influence of maternal prenatal characteristics and behaviors and of weight and BMI gain during early childhood on the timing of various puberty outcomes in girls who were enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.

METHODS
Repeated self-assessments of pubertal development were obtained from 4000 girls between the ages of 8 and 14. Data on prenatal characteristics and weight at birth and 2, 9, and 20 months of age were obtained from questionnaires, birth records, and clinic visits. Infants’ weights were converted to weight-for-age and BMI SD scores (SDSs; z scores), and change values were obtained for the 0- to 20- month and other intervals within that age range. We used parametric survival models to estimate associations with age of entry into Tanner stages of breast and pubic hair and menarche.

RESULTS
Maternal initiation of menarche at age 12, smoking during pregnancy, and primiparity were associated with earlier puberty. A 1-unit increase in the weight SDS change values for the 0- to 20-month age interval was associated with earlier ages of entry into pubertal outcomes (0.19 – 0.31 years). Increases in the BMI SDS change values were also associated with earlier entry into pubertal outcomes (0.07– 0.11 years).

CONCLUSIONS
Many of the maternal prenatal characteristics and weight and BMI gain during infancy seemed to have similar influences across different puberty outcomes. Either such early factors have comparable influences on each of the hormonal processes involved in puberty, or processes are linked and awakening of 1 aspect triggers the others.
Keywords
  • prenatal,
  • characteristics,
  • early growth,
  • pubertal attainment,
  • british,
  • girls
Disciplines
Publication Date
September, 2010
DOI
10.1542/peds.2009-2636
Citation Information
Mildred Maisonet, Krista Yorita Christensen, Carol Rubin, Adrianne Holmes, et al.. "Role of Prenatal Characteristics and Early Growth on Pubertal Attainment of British Girls" Pediatrics Vol. 126 Iss. 3 (2010) p. 591 - 600 ISSN: 1098-4275
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/mildred-maisonet/4/