title: Prepubertal glucocorticoid status and pubertal timing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Whether prepubertal glucocorticoid status impacts on the timing of puberty is not clear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between prepubertal glucocorticoid status and early or late pubertal markers, independent of adrenarchal and nutritional status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study of healthy Caucasian children (n = 111, 56 boys) who provided both 24-h urine samples and weighed dietary records 1 and 2 yr before the start of pubertal growth spurt [age at take-off (ATO)].
  
  
  METHODS
  Major urinary glucocorticoid and androgen metabolites determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis were summed to assess daily overall cortisol (ΣC21) and adrenal androgen secretion; urinary free cortisol and cortisone measured by RIA were summed (UFF+UFE) as an indicator of potentially bioactive free glucocorticoids.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main outcomes included ATO, age at peak height velocity, age at menarche/voice break, ages at Tanner stage 2 for breast (girls) and genital (boys) development, and pubic hair.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In girls ΣC21, but not UFF+UFE, was associated with pubertal markers after adjusting for overall adrenal androgen, urinary nitrogen, and body fat. Girls with higher ΣC21 (fourth quartile) reached ATO 0.7 yr (P = 0.01) and menarche 0.9 yr later (P = 0.006) than girls with lower ΣC21 (first quartile). The ΣC21 tended to be also positively associated with age at Tanner stage 2 for breast (P = 0.1), Tanner stage 2 for pubic hair (P = 0.1), and age at peak height velocity (P = 0.06). In boys, neither the ΣC21 nor UFF+UFE was related to pubertal timing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An individually higher prepubertal glucocorticoid secretion level, even in physiological range, appears to delay early and late pubertal timing of healthy girls, particularly their onset of pubertal growth spurt and menarche.
authors: Research Institute of Child Nutrition, Department of Nutrition and Health, Heinstueck 11, 44225, Dortmund, Germany. shi@fke-do.de
authors: Lijie
authors: L
authors: Shi
authors: Stefan A
authors: SA
authors: Wudy
authors: Anette E
authors: AE
authors: Buyken
authors: Christiane
authors: C
authors: Maser-Gluth
authors: Michaela F
authors: MF
authors: Hartmann
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Remer
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000367:Age Factors; D000728:Androgens / Q000652:urine*; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008572:Menarche / Q000652:urine*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011627:Puberty / Q000652:urine*
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D005938:Glucocorticoids