Plasma Insulin Concentration in Newborns and Children and Age at Menarche
Authors' conclusion
Our data showed that elevated insulin concentrations in early life, especially in conjunction with overweight or obesity, contribute to the earlier onset of menarche, suggesting the need for early screening and intervention.
Study context
- Population
- Girls recruited at birth 1998–2011 and followed prospectively at the Boston Medical Center; nonfasting plasma insulin at birth (cord blood) and in childhood (age 0.5–5 years)306 reached menarche
- Participants
- 458 participants
- Exposure
- Higher vs lower plasma insulin at birth and in childhood
- Outcome
- Age at menarche
Methodological detailsbirth cohort
- Birth cohort
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Insulin at birth (n = 391): mean shift in age at menarche per doubling, months
−1.95 (−0.33 to −3.53) (95% CI)
Insulin in childhood (n = 335): mean shift in age at menarche per doubling, months
−2.07 (−0.48 to −3.65) (95% CI)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Age at menarche
- Median (range) age at menarche, years
- 12.4 (9-15)
- Reached menarche
- 306 (67%)
Overweight or obesity plus elevated insulin vs normal weight and low insulin
- Earlier menarche, on average, months
- 11-17
Insulin trajectory: high at birth and in childhood vs consistently low (n = 268)
- Mean shift in age at menarche, months
- −6.25 (−0.38 to −11.88) (95% CI)
Original publication
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