title: Effects of stress after hurricanes katrina and rita on pubertal disorders in children.
abstract: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused widespread damage that resulted in increased stress levels for families living in the New Orleans area. This study examined the relationship between this stress and the onset of puberty in children by conducting a retrospective chart review of patients referred before and after the storm to a pediatric endocrine practice in New Orleans. The total number of new patients referred and the incidence of diagnoses that are unlikely to be affected by stress (ie, thyroid disease and premature adrenarche) were essentially unchanged. On the other hand, the incidence of central precocious puberty decreased by 52% after the storm, while the incidence of pubertal delay increased by 9% in the post storm period. This study thus provides evidence that stress delays the onset of puberty in children.
authors: Adharsh
authors: A
authors: Ponnapakkam
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Gensure
references: J Consult Clin Psychol. 1996 Aug;64(4):712-23
references: 8803361
references: Medicina (Kaunas). 2005;41(4):305-12
references: 15864003
references: J Urban Health. 2007 Mar;84(2):142-52
references: 17226081
references: Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2004 Winter;15(4):257-63
references: 15622505
references: Horm Res. 2003;59(4):161-79
references: 12649570
references: Psychol Med. 2003 Nov;33(8):1369-79
references: 14672245
references: Disaster Manag Response. 2006 Jul-Sep;4(3):88-94
references: 16904619
references: Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2005 Fall;36(1):73-94
references: 16049645
references: Int J Dermatol. 2004 May;43(5):352-6
references: 15117365
references: J Pediatr. 1987 Jun;110(6):914-7
references: 3295162
references: Kobe J Med Sci. 2000 Oct;46(5):189-200
references: 11417294
references: Seishin Shinkeigaku Zasshi. 2000;102(5):459-80
references: 10897678
references: J Consult Clin Psychol. 1998 Dec;66(6):883-92
references: 9874901
references: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001 Jun;86(6):2364-8
references: 11397824
references: J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 1999 Sep;40(6):969-78
references: 10509891