Birth Size and Its Impact on Hormones and Growth in Adolescence
Author Information
Author(s): Signe Opdahl, T I L Nilsen, P R Romundstad, E Vanky, S M Carlsen, L J Vatten
Primary Institution: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Hypothesis
How does birth size affect hormone levels, body size, and age at menarche in adolescence?
Conclusion
Larger birth size is associated with later age at menarche and greater body size in adolescence, while smaller birth size is linked to lower levels of DHEAS.
Supporting Evidence
- Birth size measures were positively associated with adolescent weight and height.
- Smaller birth size was associated with earlier age at menarche.
- Higher birth weight and length correlated with lower DHEAS levels in adolescence.
Takeaway
Girls who were bigger at birth tend to grow taller and start their periods later than those who were smaller at birth.
Methodology
The study analyzed birth size measures in relation to adolescent hormone levels and body size using survival analysis and general linear modeling.
Limitations
The modest number of participants may limit the precision of the results.
Participant Demographics
Norwegian term-born singleton girls, mean age at examination 14.0 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 12.26–12.74
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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