COVID‐19 and early puberty—An unintended consequence of COVID‐19 lockdown?

Abstract

AbstractThe novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2) causes the disease COVID‐19, also termed as acute atypical pneumonia leading to respiratory failure. Children were more likely to spend time at home due to the lockdown mandated by governments as a preventive measure, which led to alterations in dietary habits and sleeping patterns which could have had a substantial influence on their sexual development, including but not limited to faster onset of puberty. Existing data suggested a plausible relationship between COVID‐19 and early puberty. Obesity, physical activity, mental health, and birth weight are major risk factors that have further contributed to the early onset of puberty. In order to address such health crises affecting children, comprehensive solutions are urgently required. As COVID‐19 continues to have multiple unpredictable health consequences, spreading awareness regarding this specific problem is of paramount importance.