Association of endocrine disruptors (plasticizers) with early puberty in Indian children.

A secular trend in the age of Pubertal onset is discernible globally. One of the implicated factors other than nutrition and genetics includes exogenous compounds with endocrine active properties that interfere with endogenous hormone action. These Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs) can bind hormone receptors and affect their synthesis, transport, metabolism, and/or elimination. This study is planned to compare the levels of these plasticizers in children who demonstrated features of early/ precocious puberty and compare with age-matched healthy controls with normal puberty who reside in the same geographical area. The levels will also be correlated with puberty-governing neuropeptide like Kisspeptin. The study will be a multicentric study that will recruit 31 cases and 62 controls during the study period. All participants will be subjected to urine and blood tests at one point in time. Our study attempts to evaluate the role of EDC exposure on pubertal onset with correction of nutritional status which is a major confounder. It will help us determine a functional impact of EDC status on hypothalamic-pituitary axis by measurement of Kisspeptin levels