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Juliusson PB, Bruserud IS, Oehme NHB, Madsen A, Forthun IH, Balthasar M, Rosendahl K, Viste K, Jugessur A, Schell LM, Bjerknes R, Roelants M. Deep phenotyping of pubertal development in Norwegian children: the Bergen Growth Study 2. Ann Hum Biol 2023; 50:226-235. [PMID: 37358552 DOI: 10.1080/03014460.2023.2174272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Bergen Growth Study 2 (BGS2) aims to characterise somatic and endocrine changes in healthy Norwegian children using a novel methodology. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A cross-sectional sample of 1285 children aged 6-16 years was examined in 2016 using novel objective ultrasound assessments of breast developmental stages and testicular volume in addition to the traditional Tanner pubertal stages. Blood samples allowed for measurements of pubertal hormones, endocrine disruptive chemicals, and genetic analyses. RESULTS Ultrasound staging of breast development in girls showed a high degree of agreement within and between observers, and ultrasound measurement of testicular volume in boys also showed small intra- and interobserver differences. The median age was 10.4 years for Tanner B2 (pubertal onset) and 12.7 years for menarche. Norwegian boys reached a pubertal testicular volume at a mean age of 11.7 years. Continuous reference curves for testicular volume and sex hormones were constructed using the LMS method. CONCLUSIONS Ultrasound-based assessments of puberty provided novel references for breast developmental stages and enabled the measurement of testicular volume on a continuous scale. Endocrine z-scores allowed for an intuitive interpretation of changing hormonal levels during puberty on a quantitative scale, which, in turn, provides opportunities for further analysis of pubertal development using machine-learning approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petur B Juliusson
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Children and Youth Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ingvild S Bruserud
- Children and Youth Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- VID Specialized University, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Andre Madsen
- Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ingvild H Forthun
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Children and Youth Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Melissa Balthasar
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescents, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Karen Rosendahl
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, the Artic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Kristin Viste
- Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Astanand Jugessur
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lawrence M Schell
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, Albany, New York, USA
- Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities, University at Albany, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Robert Bjerknes
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Children and Youth Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Mathieu Roelants
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Leuven, Belgium
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Madsen A, Almås B, Bruserud IS, Oehme NHB, Nielsen CS, Roelants M, Hundhausen T, Ljubicic ML, Bjerknes R, Mellgren G, Sagen JV, Juliusson PB, Viste K. Reference Curves for Pediatric Endocrinology: Leveraging Biomarker Z-Scores for Clinical Classifications. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:2004-2015. [PMID: 35299255 PMCID: PMC9202734 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Hormone reference intervals in pediatric endocrinology are traditionally partitioned by age and lack the framework for benchmarking individual blood test results as normalized z-scores and plotting sequential measurements onto a chart. Reference curve modeling is applicable to endocrine variables and represents a standardized method to account for variation with gender and age. OBJECTIVE We aimed to establish gender-specific biomarker reference curves for clinical use and benchmark associations between hormones, pubertal phenotype, and body mass index (BMI). METHODS Using cross-sectional population sample data from 2139 healthy Norwegian children and adolescents, we analyzed the pubertal status, ultrasound measures of glandular breast tissue (girls) and testicular volume (boys), BMI, and laboratory measurements of 17 clinical biomarkers modeled using the established "LMS" growth chart algorithm in R. RESULTS Reference curves for puberty hormones and pertinent biomarkers were modeled to adjust for age and gender. Z-score equivalents of biomarker levels and anthropometric measurements were compiled in a comprehensive beta coefficient matrix for each gender. Excerpted from this analysis and independently of age, BMI was positively associated with female glandular breast volume (β = 0.5, P < 0.001) and leptin (β = 0.6, P < 0.001), and inversely correlated with serum levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) (β = -0.4, P < 0.001). Biomarker z-score profiles differed significantly between cohort subgroups stratified by puberty phenotype and BMI weight class. CONCLUSION Biomarker reference curves and corresponding z-scores provide an intuitive framework for clinical implementation in pediatric endocrinology and facilitate the application of machine learning classification and covariate precision medicine for pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Madsen
- Correspondence: André Madsen, PhD, Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, N-5021 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Bjørg Almås
- Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ingvild S Bruserud
- Faculty of Health, VID Specialized University, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pediatrics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Christopher Sivert Nielsen
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Ageing, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Pain Management and Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mathieu Roelants
- Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas Hundhausen
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Southern Norway Hospital Trust, Kristiansand, Norway
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Marie Lindhardt Ljubicic
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, and International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Robert Bjerknes
- Department of Pediatrics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Gunnar Mellgren
- Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Mohn Nutrition Research Laboratory, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jørn V Sagen
- Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Oehme NHB, Roelants M, Bruserud IS, Madsen A, Bjerknes R, Rosendahl K, Juliusson PB. Low BMI, but not high BMI, influences the timing of puberty in boys. Andrology 2021; 9:837-845. [PMID: 33544961 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies investigating the association between weight status and onset of puberty in boys have been equivocal. It is currently unclear to what extent weight class influences puberty onset and progression. OBJECTIVES To explore the relationship between degree of sexual maturation and anthropometric measures in Norwegian boys. METHODS The following endpoints were collected in a Norwegian cross-sectional study of 324 healthy boys aged 9-16: ultrasound-determined testicular volume (USTV), total serum testosterone, Tanner pubic hair stage, height, weight, waist circumference (WC), subscapular skinfolds (SSF), and body fat percentage (%BF). Testicular volume-for-age z-scores were used to classify "early," "average," or "late" maturing boys. Ordinal logistic regression analyses with a proportional odds model were applied to analyze the association between anthropometric variables and age-adjusted degree of pubertal development, with results expressed as age-adjusted odds ratios (AOR). Cumulative incidence curves for reaching pubertal milestones were stratified by BMI. RESULTS Boys with a low BMI for age (BMIz < -1) were less likely to have reached a pubertal testicular volume (USTV ≥ 2.7 mL) or a pubertal serum level of testosterone (≥0.5 nmol/L) compared to normal weight boys (AOR 0.3, p = 0.038, AOR 0.3, p = 0.026, respectively), and entered puberty on average with a delay of approximately eight months. Boys with high BMI for age (BMIz > 1) exhibited a comparable timing as normal weight boys. The same was found for WC. Pubertal markers were not associated with SSF or %BF. CONCLUSION By examining the association between puberty and weight status classified as low, average, or high, we found that a low BMI or WC for age were associated with a less advanced pubertal development and delayed timing of puberty in boys. No significant association was observed for a high BMI or WC. Moreover, no significant effects of SSF or %BF were observed. A low weight status should also be considered when assessing pubertal development in boys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninnie Helen Bakken Oehme
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Pediatrics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Mathieu Roelants
- Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ingvild Saervold Bruserud
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Pediatrics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Andre Madsen
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Hormone Laboratory, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Robert Bjerknes
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Pediatrics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Karen Rosendahl
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Petur B Juliusson
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Pediatrics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Health Registry Research and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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Madsen A, Bruserud IS, Bertelsen BE, Roelants M, Oehme NHB, Viste K, Bjerknes R, Almås B, Rosendahl K, Mellgren G, Sagen JV, Juliusson PB. Hormone References for Ultrasound Breast Staging and Endocrine Profiling to Detect Female Onset of Puberty. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5910099. [PMID: 32961560 PMCID: PMC7571452 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Application of ultrasound (US) to evaluate attainment and morphology of glandular tissue provides a new rationale for evaluating onset and progression of female puberty, but currently no hormone references complement this method. Furthermore, previous studies have not explored the predictive value of endocrine profiling to determine female puberty onset. OBJECTIVE To integrate US breast staging with hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hormone references and test the predictive value of an endocrine profile to determine thelarche. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Cross-sectional sample of 601 healthy Norwegian girls, ages 6 to 16 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Clinical and ultrasound breast evaluations were performed for all included girls. Blood samples were analyzed by immunoassay and ultrasensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to quantify estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1) from the subpicomolar range. RESULTS References for E2, E1, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and sex hormone-binding globulin were constructed in relation to chronological age, Tanner stages, and US breast stages. An endocrine profile index score derived from principal component analysis of these analytes was a better marker of puberty onset than age or any individual hormone, with receiver-operating characteristic area under the curve 0.91 (P < 0.001). Ultrasound detection of nonpalpable glandular tissue in 14 out of 264 (5.3%) girls with clinically prepubertal presentation was associated with significantly higher median serum levels of E2 (12.5 vs 4.9 pmol/L; P < 0.05) and a distinct endocrine profile (arbitrary units; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS We provide the first hormone references for use with US breast staging and demonstrate the application of endocrine profiling to improve detection of female puberty onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Madsen
- Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Correspondence and Reprint Requests: André Madsen, PhD, Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, N-5021 Bergen, Norway. E-mail:
| | - Ingvild S Bruserud
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pediatrics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Bjørn-Erik Bertelsen
- Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Mathieu Roelants
- Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ninnie Helen Bakken Oehme
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pediatrics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kristin Viste
- Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Robert Bjerknes
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pediatrics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Bjørg Almås
- Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Karen Rosendahl
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Gunnar Mellgren
- Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Mohn Nutrition Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jørn V Sagen
- Hormone Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Petur B Juliusson
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pediatrics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Health Registries, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Bergen, Norway
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5
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Oehme NHB, Roelants M, Særvold Bruserud I, Madsen A, Eide GE, Bjerknes R, Rosendahl K, Juliusson PB. Reference data for testicular volume measured with ultrasound and pubic hair in Norwegian boys are comparable with Northern European populations. Acta Paediatr 2020; 109:1612-1619. [PMID: 31899821 DOI: 10.1111/apa.15159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
AIM To estimate references for testicular volume measured with ultrasound and Tanner stages of pubic hair in Norwegian boys, and to compare the timing of puberty with data from similar populations. METHODS Testicular volume was derived from ultrasound measurements of testicular volume in a cross-sectional study of 514 healthy boys. A continuous testicular volume for age reference curve was estimated with the LMS method. Tanner stages for pubic hair were clinically assessed in 452 boys. Age references for pubertal milestones were estimated with probit regression. RESULTS Puberty onset, defined by an ultrasound testicular volume of 2.7 mL, equivalent to an orchidometer volume of 4 mL, occurred at a mean (SD) age of 11.7 (1.1) years. The reference range was 9.7 (3rd) to 13.7 years (97th percentile). Pubic hair (Tanner stage 2) appeared on average at 11.8 (1.2) years with a corresponding reference range of 9.5-14.1 years. CONCLUSION The references for testicular volume measured with ultrasound are continuous in age and allow for the quantification of pubertal development. The age distribution of reaching pubertal milestones was comparable with data from other Northern European countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninnie Helen Bakken Oehme
- Department of Clinical Science University of Bergen Bergen Norway
- Department of Pediatrics Haukeland University Hospital Bergen Norway
| | - Mathieu Roelants
- Environment and Health Department of Public Health and Primary Care KU Leuven–University of Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Ingvild Særvold Bruserud
- Department of Clinical Science University of Bergen Bergen Norway
- Department of Pediatrics Haukeland University Hospital Bergen Norway
| | - Andre Madsen
- Department of Clinical Science University of Bergen Bergen Norway
- The Hormone Laboratory Haukeland University Hospital Bergen Norway
| | - Geir Egil Eide
- Centre for Clinical Research Haukeland University Hospital Bergen Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care University of Bergen Bergen Norway
| | - Robert Bjerknes
- Department of Clinical Science University of Bergen Bergen Norway
- Department of Pediatrics Haukeland University Hospital Bergen Norway
| | - Karen Rosendahl
- Department of Radiology Haukeland University Hospital Bergen Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine University of Bergen Bergen Norway
| | - Petur B. Juliusson
- Department of Clinical Science University of Bergen Bergen Norway
- Department of Pediatrics Haukeland University Hospital Bergen Norway
- Department of Health Registries Norwegian Institute of Public Health Bergen Norway
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