526 - Precocious and Abnormal Puberty in Domestically and Internationally Adopted Children
Friday, April 22, 2022
6:15 PM – 8:45 PM US MT
Poster Number: 526 Publication Number: 526.107
Rachel Marks, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Anna V. Wojcicki, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Malavika Suresh, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Bradley Miller, Univ of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Judith Eckerle, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Medical Student University of Minnesota Medical School University of Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Background: There is an increased incidence of precocious puberty among internationally adopted children. Although the precise mechanism behind this phenomenon is unknown, exposure to early life stressors, life transitions, and inconsistent nutrition have been proposed as contributing factors. This has been more thoroughly examined in international adoptees than domestically born adoptees or foster care children. However, given the similar rates of exposure to risk factors, the prevalence of pubertal disorders in domestic adoptees will likely match those of international adoptees.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe a population of internationally and domestically adopted children, seen at the University of Minnesota Adoption Medicine Clinic (AMC) and diagnosed with either precocious puberty or another pubertal disorder, to identify shared characteristics and potential risk factors for pubertal disorders in adoptees.
Design/Methods: This descriptive study is based on a retrospective chart review of adopted patients diagnosed with either precocious puberty or another pubertal disorder (i.e. premature thelarche, premature pubarche). Data was collected regarding sex, race, birth, age at adoption, pubertal onset, number of transitions, placements prior to adoption, and psychiatric and medical comorbidities.
Results: Out of 746 adopted patients, 84 met our inclusion criteria by being diagnosed with either precocious puberty (69%) or another pubertal disorder (31%). Female adoptees made up 49.3% of patients at the AMC, but accounted for 86% of the patients diagnosed with precocious puberty. International adoptees made up 42.5% of the adopted patients at the AMC, but made up 88% of the patients diagnosed with precocious puberty. Eighty nine percent of these patients experienced 2 or more transitions prior to adoption, and 80% had lived in an orphanage. Forty three percent of the population had a psychological comorbidity with the most common being developmental delay, ADHD, and anxiety.Conclusion(s): Females and international adoptees were overrepresented in adopted patients diagnosed with precocious puberty. A majority of these patients experienced orphanage living and multiple transitions before adoption. These shared characteristics illuminate potential risk factors for pubertal disorders in adopted children and warrant further investigation in domestically adopted and foster care populations. Study of these factors, as well as other potential contributors, such as early nutritional deficiencies, may help further our understanding of the causes of precocious puberty in adopted children.