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Endocrine
Published in: Endocrine 2/2022

01-05-2022 | Original Article

Minipuberty in born small for gestational age infants: A case control prospective pilot study

Authors: Giorgia Pepe, Mariarosa Calafiore, Maria Rosa Velletri, Domenico Corica, Mariella Valenzise, Isabella Mondello, Angela Alibrandi, Malgorzata Wasniewska, Tommaso Aversa

Published in: Endocrine | Issue 2/2022

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate minipuberty (MP) in small for gestational age (SGA) infants, both preterm and full-term, during the first year of life.

Methods

33 SGA healthy newborns (group A), 21 of which full-term (subgroup A1) and 12 preterm (A2) were enrolled. Control group (B) consisted of 27 AGA, 17 full-term (subgroup B1) and 10 preterm (B2) infants. Growth parameters, FSH, LH, and Estradiol (E2) or Testosterone (T) serum levels were monitored at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results

The gonadotropin surge reached greater increase of LH in males at 3 months and FSH in females at 3, 6 and 12 months (p < 0.001). In male infants: T at 3 months was higher in subgroup A2 vs A1(p = 0.001), and correlated negatively with gestational age (GA, p < 0.005), length and weight at birth (p < 0.05); LH was higher in subgroup B2 vs B1 at 6 months (p = 0.003), and in group A vs B at 12 months (p = 0.03). Females displayed higher E2 at 6 months in B2 vs B1 (p < 0.05), negatively correlated with GA and weight gain (p < 0.05); LH at 6 months was increased in A2 vs A1 (p = 0.03). Overall, preterm males displayed higher T at 3 months (p = 0.001), LH at 3, 6 and 12 months (p < 0.05), and LH/FSH ratio at 6 months (p = 0.001). Preterm females exhibited increased LH/FSH ratio at 3 and 6 months (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Irrespectively of GA, MP occurred with a typical sexual dimorphism and exhibited sex-specific correlations between hormones and perinatal parameters. SGA condition and prematurity seemed to enhance and protract MP over time in both sexes.
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Metadata
Title
Minipuberty in born small for gestational age infants: A case control prospective pilot study
Authors
Giorgia Pepe
Mariarosa Calafiore
Maria Rosa Velletri
Domenico Corica
Mariella Valenzise
Isabella Mondello
Angela Alibrandi
Malgorzata Wasniewska
Tommaso Aversa
Publication date
01-05-2022
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Endocrine / Issue 2/2022
Print ISSN: 1355-008X
Electronic ISSN: 1559-0100
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-022-03003-0

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