Exposure to air pollution and precocious puberty: a systematic review

The worldwide incidence of precocious puberty, which is associated with negative health outcomes, is increasing. Several studies have suggested that environmental factors contribute to the development of precocious puberty alongside genetic...

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Main Authors: Rosie Lee, Jongmin Oh, Eunji Mun, Jung Eun Choi, Kyung Hee Kim, Ji Hyen Lee, Hae Soon Kim, Eunhee Ha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ewha Womans University College of Medicine 2024-04-01
Series:The Ewha Medical Journal
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Online Access:http://www.e-emj.org/archive/view_article?pid=emj-47-2-20
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author Rosie Lee
Jongmin Oh
Eunji Mun
Jung Eun Choi
Kyung Hee Kim
Ji Hyen Lee
Hae Soon Kim
Eunhee Ha
author_facet Rosie Lee
Jongmin Oh
Eunji Mun
Jung Eun Choi
Kyung Hee Kim
Ji Hyen Lee
Hae Soon Kim
Eunhee Ha
author_sort Rosie Lee
collection DOAJ
description The worldwide incidence of precocious puberty, which is associated with negative health outcomes, is increasing. Several studies have suggested that environmental factors contribute to the development of precocious puberty alongside genetic factors. Some epidemiological studies have provided limited evidence suggesting an association between exposure to air pollution and changes in pubertal development. This systematic review aimed to summarize existing evidence on the association between air pollution exposure and precocious puberty. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we searched two databases (PubMed and Web of Science) until August 2023. The included studies assessed the association between air pollutant exposure and the risk of precocious puberty, early menarche, or pubertal development. Two authors independently performed study selection and data extraction. A meta-analysis and analysis of the risk of bias were infeasible due to the limited number of studies and the heterogeneity among them. The literature search resulted in 184 studies, from which we included six studies with sample sizes ranging from 437 to 4,074 participants. The studies reported heterogeneous outcomes. Four studies found that increased exposure to air pollution was related to earlier pubertal onset. One study was inconclusive, and another suggested that air pollutant exposure may delay the onset of thelarche. Most studies suggest that exposure to air pollutants accelerates pubertal development; however, the results from the available studies are inconsistent. More extensive and well-designed longitudinal studies are required for a comprehensive understanding of the association between air pollution and precocious puberty.
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spelling doaj-art-b32d93cdedbe40ce926460c26acda98a2025-08-20T02:36:19ZengEwha Womans University College of MedicineThe Ewha Medical Journal2234-25912024-04-0147210.12771/emj.2024.e20emj-47-2-20Exposure to air pollution and precocious puberty: a systematic reviewRosie LeeJongmin OhEunji MunJung Eun ChoiKyung Hee KimJi Hyen LeeHae Soon KimEunhee HaThe worldwide incidence of precocious puberty, which is associated with negative health outcomes, is increasing. Several studies have suggested that environmental factors contribute to the development of precocious puberty alongside genetic factors. Some epidemiological studies have provided limited evidence suggesting an association between exposure to air pollution and changes in pubertal development. This systematic review aimed to summarize existing evidence on the association between air pollution exposure and precocious puberty. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we searched two databases (PubMed and Web of Science) until August 2023. The included studies assessed the association between air pollutant exposure and the risk of precocious puberty, early menarche, or pubertal development. Two authors independently performed study selection and data extraction. A meta-analysis and analysis of the risk of bias were infeasible due to the limited number of studies and the heterogeneity among them. The literature search resulted in 184 studies, from which we included six studies with sample sizes ranging from 437 to 4,074 participants. The studies reported heterogeneous outcomes. Four studies found that increased exposure to air pollution was related to earlier pubertal onset. One study was inconclusive, and another suggested that air pollutant exposure may delay the onset of thelarche. Most studies suggest that exposure to air pollutants accelerates pubertal development; however, the results from the available studies are inconsistent. More extensive and well-designed longitudinal studies are required for a comprehensive understanding of the association between air pollution and precocious puberty.http://www.e-emj.org/archive/view_article?pid=emj-47-2-20air pollutionendocrine disruptorsmenarcheparticulate matterpuberty, precocious
spellingShingle Rosie Lee
Jongmin Oh
Eunji Mun
Jung Eun Choi
Kyung Hee Kim
Ji Hyen Lee
Hae Soon Kim
Eunhee Ha
Exposure to air pollution and precocious puberty: a systematic review
The Ewha Medical Journal
air pollution
endocrine disruptors
menarche
particulate matter
puberty, precocious
title Exposure to air pollution and precocious puberty: a systematic review
title_full Exposure to air pollution and precocious puberty: a systematic review
title_fullStr Exposure to air pollution and precocious puberty: a systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Exposure to air pollution and precocious puberty: a systematic review
title_short Exposure to air pollution and precocious puberty: a systematic review
title_sort exposure to air pollution and precocious puberty a systematic review
topic air pollution
endocrine disruptors
menarche
particulate matter
puberty, precocious
url http://www.e-emj.org/archive/view_article?pid=emj-47-2-20
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AT jongminoh exposuretoairpollutionandprecociouspubertyasystematicreview
AT eunjimun exposuretoairpollutionandprecociouspubertyasystematicreview
AT jungeunchoi exposuretoairpollutionandprecociouspubertyasystematicreview
AT kyungheekim exposuretoairpollutionandprecociouspubertyasystematicreview
AT jihyenlee exposuretoairpollutionandprecociouspubertyasystematicreview
AT haesoonkim exposuretoairpollutionandprecociouspubertyasystematicreview
AT eunheeha exposuretoairpollutionandprecociouspubertyasystematicreview