Abstract

Background: We evaluated pubertal growth and pubertal timing of participants born preterm compared to those born at term.

Methods: In the ESTER Preterm Birth Study, we collected growth data and measured final height of men/women born very or moderately preterm (<34 gestational weeks, n = 52/55), late preterm (34–<37 weeks, 94/106), and term (≥37 weeks, 131/151), resulting in median 9 measurements at ≥6 years. Timing of menarche or voice break was self-reported. Peak height velocity (PHV, cm/year) and age at PHV (years) were compared with SuperImposition by Translation And Rotation (SITAR) model (sexes separately).

Results: Age at PHV (years) and PHV (cm/year) were similar in all gestational age groups. Compared to term controls, insignificant differences in age at PHV were 0.1 (95% CI: −0.2 to 0.4) years/0.2 (−0.1 to 0.4) for very or moderately/late preterm born men and −0.0 (−0.3 to 0.3)/−0.0 (−0.3 to 0.2) for women, respectively. Being born small for gestational age was not associated with pubertal growth. Age at menarche or voice break was similar in all the gestational age groups.

Conclusions: Timing of pubertal growth and age at menarche or voice break were similar in participants born preterm and at term.