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Influence of Childhood Adversity and Infection on Timing of Menarche in a Multiethnic Sample of Women

Author

Listed:
  • Ayana K. April-Sanders

    (Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA)

  • Parisa Tehranifar

    (Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
    Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA)

  • Erica Lee Argov

    (Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA)

  • Shakira F. Suglia

    (Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
    Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA)

  • Carmen B. Rodriguez

    (Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA)

  • Jasmine A. McDonald

    (Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
    Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA)

Abstract

Childhood adversities (CAs) and infections may affect the timing of reproductive development. We examined the associations of indicators of CAs and exposure to tonsillitis and infectious mononucleosis (mono) with age at menarche. A multiethnic cohort of 400 women (ages 40–64 years) reported exposure to parental maltreatment and maladjustment during childhood and any diagnosis of tonsillitis and/or mono; infections primarily acquired in early life and adolescence, respectively. We used linear and relative risk regression models to examine the associations of indicators of CAs individually and cumulatively, and history of tonsillitis/mono with an average age at menarche and early onset of menarche (<12 years of age). In multivariable models, histories of mental illness in the household (RR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.01–2.06), and tonsillitis diagnosis (RR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.20–2.33) were associated with early menarche (<12 years), and with an earlier average age at menarche by 7.1 months (95% CI: −1.15, −0.02) and 8.8 months (95% CI: −1.26, −0.20), respectively. Other adversities indicators, cumulative adversities, and mono were not statistically associated with menarcheal timing. These findings provided some support for the growing evidence that early life experiences may influence the reproductive development in girls.

Suggested Citation

  • Ayana K. April-Sanders & Parisa Tehranifar & Erica Lee Argov & Shakira F. Suglia & Carmen B. Rodriguez & Jasmine A. McDonald, 2021. "Influence of Childhood Adversity and Infection on Timing of Menarche in a Multiethnic Sample of Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:4080-:d:534934
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Krieger, N. & Kiang, M.V. & Kosheleva, A. & Waterman, P.D. & Chen, J.T. & Beckfield, J., 2015. "Age at menarche: 50-year socioeconomic trends among US-born black and white women," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105(2), pages 388-397.
    2. Lei Zhang & Dandan Zhang & Ying Sun, 2019. "Adverse Childhood Experiences and Early Pubertal Timing Among Girls: A Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-13, August.
    3. Kaltiala-Heino, Riittakerttu & Marttunen, Mauri & Rantanen, Päivi & Rimpelä, Matti, 2003. "Early puberty is associated with mental health problems in middle adolescence," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 57(6), pages 1055-1064, September.
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