Estimation of Pubertal Growth-Spurt Parameters in Children and Adolescents in Colombia: Comparison between Low and Moderate Altitudes

Abstract

Context-specific information, including differences in geographical areas, such as distinct altitudes, can be important to explain variations in physical growth. We aimed to compare the estimation of maximum growth velocity and pubertal growth-spurt parameters of children and adolescents living at low and moderate altitudes in Colombia. A cross-sectional study, including a representative cohort of 30.305 (51% boys) children and adolescents aged 1–18 years from Colombia, was performed. The heights were measured with standardized techniques. The Preece–Baines growth model was used to estimate the mathematical and biological parameters of the height-growth velocities and growth spurts for both sexes. The altitudes were categorized as low (18 to 564 m above sea level) or moderate (2420 to 2640 m above sea level). There were no differences in final height (h1), peak height velocity size (hθ), age at peak height velocity (APHV), or peak height velocity PHV (cm/y) between the subjects living in both altitudes (p > 0.05). The APHV was estimated at 12.75 ± 0.75 years in the boys and at 10.05 ± 0.65 years in the girls. The girls reached the APVH 2.70 years earlier than the boys. Regarding the PHV, the boys reached higher growth velocity, which was 6.85 ± 0.55 cm/y. In conclusion, there were no significant differences in final height, peak height, APHV, or PHV between the children and adolescents living at distinct altitudes in Colombia. The PHV occurred approximately 3 years earlier in the girls than in the boys. Furthermore, the girls’ estimated PHV, APHV, and final height were lower than those of the boys. This study allows additional insight into pubertal growth-spurt parameters and also provides a valuable reference database for the assessment of Colombian children and adolescents.

Parameters of pubertal growth spurt in children and adolescents living at high altitude in Peru

“…However, the pattern observed in moderate and high-altitude children and adolescents from Colombia 15 and Peru 14 are similar to those reported in this study. This behavior could be characterized as typical of these regions, where girls reached PHV 3 years earlier than boys and not two years as has been described in the literature.…”

“… 22 , 23 However, this wide difference in years verified in this study coincides with that reported in some recent studies carried out at moderate altitudes in Colombia. 15 As well as at high altitude in Peru, investigating in the province of Huancayo, specifically in the department of Junín (Peru). 14 …”

“…However, as far as is known, there are few studies that estimate biological parameters by means of mathematical models of children and adolescents living in regions of moderate and high altitude, 13 , 14 , 15 since high altitude areas of the world are characterized by hypobaric hypoxia, low temperatures, low relative humidity, high cosmic radiation and, in some cases, limited nutritional resources. 16 These characteristics cause a delay in linear growth, in addition, they present a prolonged growth period, a late and poorly defined growth spurt in relation to their sea-level peers.…”

Growth in height and its association with overweight and obesity in Mexican children: an evaluation based on a nationally representative sample (ENSANUT 2018)

“…In addition, other factors that could affect the maturity process include altitude. A study from Colombia reported no significant differences in APHV, PHV, and estimated final height between the children and adolescents living at low and moderate altitudes ( 65 ). On the other hand, Peruvian children and adolescents living at different altitudes showed differential timing and tempo of growth; individuals living at sea level experienced an earlier APHV, were taller at APHV, had a higher PHV, and had a taller estimated final height compared to peers living at higher altitudes ( 39 ).…”

On some methodical aspects of estimation of intergroup morphological variability in growth studies

“…В этом и многочисленных последующих трудах [Tanner et al, 1966[Tanner et al, , 1976Tanner, Cameron, 1980;Tanner, 1981Tanner, , 1988Tanner, Davies, 1985] Таннер всесторонне разрабатывает многие аспекты роста в подростковом и других возрастах и анализирует взаимные связи соматических, физиологических, эндокринологических, моторных, ментальных показателей в их динамике. В современной мировой литературе феномен пика скорости роста обсуждается в целом ряде контекстов: в связи со скелетной и половой зрелостью [Iuliano-Burns et al, 2001;Molinari et al, 2013;Gasser et al, 2013;Cole et al, 2014]; экологическими особенностями ниши развития популяции, в том числе высотой над уровнем моря [Dabas et al, 2018;Santos et al, 2019;Correa-Rodríguez et al, 2022;Kleanthous et al, 2022]; межгрупповой изменчивостью телосложения и ожирением [Aksglaede et al, 2009;Yokoya, Higuchi, 2014;Narchi et al, 2021]; секулярными трендами [Ali et al, 2001;Aksglaede et al, 2008;Gomula et al, 2021].…”