Insight into human pubertal growth by applying the QEPS growth model

BMC Pediatrics

Research Article

Kerstin Albertsson-Wikland¹  Aimon Niklasson²  Lars Gelander²  Anton Holmgren³  A. Stefan Aronson⁴  Andreas F.M. Nierop⁵ 

[1]Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, SE-40530, Gothenburg, Sweden

[2]Göteborg Pediatric Growth Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, SE-41685, Gothenburg, Sweden

[3]Göteborg Pediatric Growth Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, SE-41685, Gothenburg, Sweden

[4]Hallands Hospital Halmstad, Halmstad, Sweden

[5]Hallands Hospital Halmstad, Halmstad, Sweden

[6]Muvara bv, Multivariate Analysis of Research Data, Leiderdorp, The Netherlands

关键词: Puberty;    Growth model;    Onset of puberty;    Peak height velocity;    End of puberty;    Duration of puberty;    Data quality;    Cumulative distribution;    Confidence interval;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12887-017-0857-1

 received in 2016-02-18, accepted in 2017-04-01,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundComputerized mathematical models describing absolute and relative individual growth during puberty in both cm and standard deviation (SD)-scores are lacking. The present study aimed to fill this gap, by applying the QEPS-model that delineates mathematically the specific pubertal functions of the total growth curve.MethodsStudy population used was the individual growth curves of the longitudinally followed cohort GrowUp1974 Gothenburg (n = 2280). The QEPS-model describes total height as (T)otal-function: a combination of four shape-invariant growth functions, modified by time-scale and height-scale parameters: a (Q)uadratic-function for the continuous growth from fetal life to adulthood; a negative (E)xponential-function adds the rapid, declining fetal/infancy growth; a (P)ubertal-function the specific pubertal growth spurt; a (S)top-function the declining growth until adult height. A constructed variable, MathSelect, was developed for assessing data-quality. CIs and SD-scores for growth estimates were calculated for each individual.QEPS-model estimates used for pubertal growth; from the T-function: onset of puberty as minimal height velocity (AgeTONSET); mid-puberty as peak height velocity (AgeTPHV); end of puberty as height velocity decreased to 1 cm/year (AgeTEND); duration of different intervals and gain (AgeTONSET–END and Tpubgain); from the P-function: onset of puberty, estimated as growth at 1% or 5% (AgeP1,AgeP5); mid-puberty as 50% (AgeP50) and PHV (AgePPHV); end of pubertal growth at 95 or 99% (AgeP95, AgeP99); duration of different intervals and pubertal gain (Ppubgain; Pmax); from the QES-function: gain (QESpubgain).ResultsApplication of these mathematical estimates for onset, middle and end of puberty of P-function, QES-function, and T-function during puberty showed: the later the onset of puberty, the greater the adult height; pubertal gain due to the P-function growth was independent of age at onset of puberty; boys had higher total gain during puberty due to P-function growth than to QES-function growth; for girls it was reversed.ConclusionsQEPS is the first growth model to provide individualized estimates of both the specific pubertal growth function and the total growth during puberty, with accompanying SD-scores and Cis for each individual. These QEPS-derived estimates enable more in-depth analysis of different aspects of pubertal growth than previously possible.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017