Potential Role of Sleep Disturbance in the Development of Early Puberty: Past Clinical Evidence for Future Management

Abstract

The incidence of early puberty in children has been increasing. It has been suspected that both genetic and various environmental factors such as nutrition and hormonal exposure could influence the mechanisms underlying the earlier onset of puberty. Interestingly, several previous studies have reported a strong connection between sleep and puberty. Specifically, it was discovered that luteinizing hormone (LH), a potential marker for the onset of puberty, was increased during the deep sleep period. Furthermore, a high prevalence of early puberty was observed in patients with sleep disorders, especially in those experiencing narcolepsy. In this review article, findings related to the association between sleep disturbance and early puberty have been comprehensively summarized. Any contrary findings are also included and discussed. Advances in the knowledge surrounding sleep disturbance have led to a greater understanding of a correlation between early puberty and sleep disorder and provide alternative therapeutic options for the treatment of central precocious puberty in the future.

Keywords: Early puberty; Hypocretin; Orexin; Precocious puberty; Sleep disturbance.