BACKGROUND: Puberty consists of 2 components: gonadarche and adrenarche. Both components have distinct endocrine changes. Adrenarche has virtually been ignored with respect to examining hormone-behavior relations. OBJECTIVES: To provide descriptive biological and behavioral information on children with premature adrenarche (PA) and to examine differences in biological, psychological, and cognitive variables of children with PA and a healthy comparison group of children with on-time adrenarche. DESIGN: Descriptive pilot study. SETTING: A consecutive sample of patients was recruited from pediatric endocrine clinics; comparison children were recruited from the community. PARTICIPANTS: Children aged 6 to 9 years. Mean (+/-SD) age of children with PA (n = 9) was 7.8 (+/-1.3) years; of children with on-time adrenarche (n = 20), 8.0 (+/-1.2) years. METHODS AND MEASURES: Serum and saliva samples were collected for measurement of hormone concentrations. Questionnaires, tests, and interviews were completed by children and parents. RESULTS: Compared with the on-time group, the PA group had significantly higher concentrations of adrenal androgens, estradiol, thyrotropin, and cortisol. By parent report on the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, 4 children (44%) met diagnostic criteria for psychological disorders (primarily anxiety disorders). The PA group also had more self-reported depression and parent-reported behavior problems and lower scores on various intelligence tests. CONCLUSIONS: Although PA is considered a normal variation of pubertal development that warrants no medical intervention, PA presents with significant psychosocial problems. Children with PA may need psychological evaluation and follow-up. Future studies should confirm these findings with a larger sample and examine the long-term ramifications of this early presenting abnormality.
BACKGROUND: Puberty consists of 2 components: gonadarche and adrenarche. Both components have distinct endocrine changes. Adrenarche has virtually been ignored with respect to examining hormone-behavior relations. OBJECTIVES: To provide descriptive biological and behavioral information on children with premature adrenarche (PA) and to examine differences in biological, psychological, and cognitive variables of children with PA and a healthy comparison group of children with on-time adrenarche. DESIGN: Descriptive pilot study. SETTING: A consecutive sample of patients was recruited from pediatric endocrine clinics; comparison children were recruited from the community. PARTICIPANTS: Children aged 6 to 9 years. Mean (+/-SD) age of children with PA (n = 9) was 7.8 (+/-1.3) years; of children with on-time adrenarche (n = 20), 8.0 (+/-1.2) years. METHODS AND MEASURES: Serum and saliva samples were collected for measurement of hormone concentrations. Questionnaires, tests, and interviews were completed by children and parents. RESULTS: Compared with the on-time group, the PA group had significantly higher concentrations of adrenal androgens, estradiol, thyrotropin, and cortisol. By parent report on the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, 4 children (44%) met diagnostic criteria for psychological disorders (primarily anxiety disorders). The PA group also had more self-reported depression and parent-reported behavior problems and lower scores on various intelligence tests. CONCLUSIONS: Although PA is considered a normal variation of pubertal development that warrants no medical intervention, PA presents with significant psychosocial problems. Children with PA may need psychological evaluation and follow-up. Future studies should confirm these findings with a larger sample and examine the long-term ramifications of this early presenting abnormality.
Authors: A Tissot; L D Dorn; D Rotenstein; S R Rose; L M Sontag-Padilla; C L Jillard; S F Witchel; S L Berga; T L Loucks; S R Beers Journal: J Int Neuropsychol Soc Date: 2011-11-24 Impact factor: 2.892
Authors: Heidemarie Blumenthal; Ellen W Leen-Feldner; Kimberly A Babson; Jessica L Gahr; Casey D Trainor; Jamie L Frala Journal: Dev Psychol Date: 2011-07
Authors: Misaki N Natsuaki; Bonnie Klimes-Dougan; Xiaojia Ge; Elizabeth A Shirtcliff; Paul D Hastings; Carolyn Zahn-Waxler Journal: J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol Date: 2009-07
Authors: Lorah D Dorn; Susan R Rose; Deborah Rotenstein; Elizabeth J Susman; Bin Huang; Tammy L Loucks; Sarah L Berga Journal: J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab Date: 2008-05 Impact factor: 1.634