Katagiri A, Nawa N, Fujiwara T. Association Between Paternal Separation During Early Childhood and Pubertal Timing Among Girls Using Longitudinal Birth Cohort in Japan.
Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021;
12:766728. [PMID:
34992577 PMCID:
PMC8724124 DOI:
10.3389/fendo.2021.766728]
[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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Previous studies have shown that paternal absence leads to earlier pubertal timing among girls in high-income countries. Despite the low divorce rate in Japan, paternal separation is commonly seen due to a unique corporation system, tanshin funin, where employees relocate with their spouses and children. We examined paternal separation, including paternal absence (due to divorce or paternal death) and paternal tanshin funin, during early childhood as a predictor of earlier girl's pubertal development, assessed as age at peak height velocity (PHV).
METHODS
This study examined 15 214 girls from a longitudinal survey conducted in Japan from 2001 to 2016 by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Paternal separation was determined by the occurrence through annual surveys conducted at ages 0.5 to 4.5 years. Outcome was defined as age at PHV between ages 6 to 15 years. We conducted linear regression, adjusted for potential confounders and other covariates.
RESULTS
Continuous father cohabitation was seen in 88.7% of households, while paternal separation was experienced 1-2, 3-4 and 5 times (always) among 7.4%, 2.8% and 1.1% of households, respectively. Girls who confronted continuous paternal separation (5 times) experienced 0.42 years earlier [95% confidence interval (CI): -0.75, -0.10] age at PHV compared to their peers who always lived with their fathers.
CONCLUSION
Girls who experienced paternal separation throughout ages 0.5 to 4.5 years experienced PHV earlier.
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