Genes underpin health risks associated with puberty growth spurts

A genetic link between the characteristics of growth spurts during puberty and health conditions, such as atrial fibrillation, later in life has been uncovered.

Researchers from the Universities of Surrey and Pennsylvania investigated the connection between genes playing a role in pubertal growth patterns and lifelong health conditions. Their analysis included data from 56,000 people and data from the Penn Medicine and UK Biobank.

Dr Zhanna Balkhiyarova, co-author of the study and senior postdoctoral researcher from the University of Surrey, said: 'Our study underscores the importance of large-scale genetic analyses in unravelling the complexities of human health. By using big data, we reveal new insights into the genetic factors that affect growth during puberty and their long-term effects.'

How fast or how early children grow in puberty can vary substantially, even among healthy children. While it has been known that growth during this period is linked to genetics, the specific factors underlying the different characteristics of growth spurts have remained largely unknown.

Publishing their findings in Genome Biology, the researchers modelled growth over time using a growth curve analysis based on data from 56,000 people with diverse ancestry who had repeated height measurements taken from the age of five into adulthood. The scientists then conducted genetic analyses and phenome-wide association studies on six phenotypes that represented the pubertal growth spurts' magnitude, timing and intensity.

They identified 26 genome-wide significant loci and discovered that different growth trajectories in puberty were associated with various outcomes later in life. Faster pubertal growth spurts were correlated with higher bone mineral density, fasting insulin, type 2 diabetes and lung cancer, while being taller early in puberty, as well as taller across puberty and having quicker pubertal growth were all associated with a higher risk for atrial fibrillation later in life.

Dr Anna Ulrich, formerly of the University of Surrey, said: 'Our findings challenge the notion of a one-size-fits-all optimal growth pattern. Instead, they underscore the complex interplay between genetics and health.'

Professor Inga Prokopenko, senior researcher of the study from the University of Surrey, said: 'This study represents a major step forward in understanding the genetic basis of pubertal growth and its far-reaching implications for lifelong health. As we unlock the secrets encoded in our DNA, we move closer to a future where tailored interventions based on individual genetic profiles revolutionise healthcare.'