Associations between birth characteristics, pubertal timing and adult height.

Aim: This study investigated the association between gestational age and birth size with pubertal timing, measured as peak height velocity, and adult height.

Methods: This retrospective, population-based study was conducted in Sweden in 2023. A sub-group of the 1974 and 1990 GrowUp Gothenburg cohorts was used (n = 4700, 50% males). The subgroup consisted of healthy individuals with Nordic ethnicity, known parental heights and measured adult heights. Data on birth characteristics (gestational age, birth length, birth weight) were collected. Pubertal timing was assessed as age at peak height velocity. Univariable linear regression analysis and bivariate correlations were conducted to answer the research questions.

Results: Gestational age was not associated with age at peak height velocity or adult height. Birth length and weight could explain 12% and 8% (p ≤ 0.001) respectively of attained adult height. However, birth length and birth weight could only explain the variation in age at peak height velocity to a small degree.

Conclusion: This study showed that gestational age is not associated with age at peak height velocity or adult height. A positive relationship was found between birth size, particularly birth length, and adult height. No strong associations were found between birth size and age at peak height velocity.