Frontiers in Endocrinology (Jul 2021)

Association of Soy and Exclusive Breastfeeding With Central Precocious Puberty: A Case-Control Study

  • João Soares Felício,
  • Angélica Leite de Alcântara,
  • Luísa Corrêa Janaú,
  • Lorena Vilhena de Moraes,
  • Maria Clara Neres Iunes de Oliveira,
  • Manuela Nascimento de Lemos,
  • Norberto Jorge Kzan de Souza Neto,
  • João Felício Abrahão Neto,
  • Wanderson Maia da Silva,
  • Ícaro José Araújo de Souza,
  • Nivin Mazen Said,
  • Gabriela Nascimento de Lemos,
  • Giovana Miranda Vieira,
  • André Salim Khayat,
  • Ândrea Kely Campos Ribeiro dos Santos,
  • Natércia Neves Marques de Queiroz,
  • Ana Carolina Contente Braga de Sousa,
  • Márcia Costa dos Santos,
  • Franciane Trindade Cunha de Melo,
  • Pedro Paulo Freire Piani,
  • Karem Miléo Felício

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.667029
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

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IntroductionWhile soy is suggested as a possible risk factor, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) has a likely protective effect in precocious puberty. Our aim was to evaluate the association between both of these variables with central precocious puberty (CPP)MethodsWe performed a retrospective, case-control study. A total of 161 girls were divided into two groups: 84 patients diagnosed with CPP composed the case group and 77 patients without the diagnosis of CPP (had gone through normal onset of puberty) were the control group.ResultsOur control group had a higher presence of EBF >6 months, which was an important protective factor for CPP (OR: 0.5; IC 95%: 0.3–0.9, p = 0.05) and also correlated negatively with the presence of it (r = −0.2; p < 0.05). Oppositely, the use of soy was significantly higher in the CPP group, (OR: 3.8; IC 95%: 1.5–6, p < 0.05) and positively correlating (r = 0.2; p < 0.01) with the presence of CPP. Duration of soy intake (years) correlated with bone age (r = 0.415; p < 0.05). A logistic regression was performed to evaluate the effects of EBF duration and soy on CPP. The model was significant (x² (2) = 20,715, p = <0.001) and explained 12.2% (Nagelkerke R2) of the variance, correctly classifying 62.5% of cases. EBF was associated with a reduction of likelihood of having CPP [OR = 0,187 (CI = 0.055–0,635); Wald = 7,222, p = 0.007], while soy intake increased the risk [OR = 3.505 (CI) = 1,688–7,279, Wald = 11,319, p = 0.001].ConclusionOur data found the use of soy was associated with CPP. Additionally, EBF was pointed as a protective factor. However, future prospective studies are needed to clarify this issue.

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