Age of Puberty Onset Among Girls in Asyut, Egypt

August 14, 2026 updated by: Mai Gamal Hassan Abed, Assiut University

Age at Onset of Puberty Among Girls in Asyut Governorate, Egypt

Puberty is a critical transition from childhood to adulthood. Over the past two decades, studies worldwide have shown a trend toward earlier pubertal onset, which is thought to be influenced by factors such as lifestyle changes, improved nutrition, and environmental exposures. However, there is currently a lack of local data regarding the timing of puberty in Upper Egypt.

The main purpose of this observational study is to determine the average age at which puberty begins among girls living in the Asyut governorate, Egypt. The study specifically focuses on thelarche (breast development), which is the earliest clinical sign of pubertal onset. Additionally, the study aims to identify possible genetic, demographic, physical, and environmental factors that might influence the timing of this developmental milestone.

The study will include approximately 600 girls aged 6 to 13 years from both urban and rural areas of Asyut. Researchers will collect data during a single visit using a structured questionnaire administered through personal interviews with the participants and their parents or caregivers. The questionnaire will gather information on early life history, family history, dietary habits, physical activity, sleep patterns, screen time, stress, environmental exposures, and pubertal history. Researchers will also take basic physical measurements, including height, weight, and waist circumference to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI).

Participants will not be exposed to any invasive procedures or additional clinical risks beyond their routine care. The findings will help establish local reference values for pubertal development and support evidence-based adolescent health strategies in Egypt.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

600

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

N/A

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of girls aged 6 to 13 years residing in urban and rural areas of the Asyut governorate in Egypt who are exhibiting progressive breast development. Participants will be recruited from eligible girls attending selected primary health care centers, family health centers, and family health units across the East Nile and West Nile sectors of the governorate. The final population is designed to include approximately 400 girls from rural areas and 200 girls from urban areas.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Girls aged 6-13 years showing progressive breast development.
  • Reside in Asyut governorate.
  • Parents/caregivers agreed to provide informed consent (and child assent when appropriate).

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Premature thelarche.
  • Any pathological or iatrogenic factors that will be known by history.
  • Puberty due to central nervous system (CNS) lesions such as hypothalamic or pituitary tumor, hydrocephalus, etc.
  • Peripheral causes of puberty such as ovarian cyst or tumor, adrenal disorders, etc.
  • Endocrine disorders affecting puberty such as thyroid disorders or congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
  • Chronic systemic disease affecting puberty.
  • Current use of hormonal therapy.
  • Incomplete clinical data or refusal to participate in the study.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Girls Aged 6-13 in Asyut Governorate
This cohort consists of girls aged 6 to 13 years residing in Asyut governorate, Egypt, who are exhibiting progressive breast development (thelarche). Participants are evaluated to determine the age of pubertal onset and to identify potential genetic, demographic, anthropometric, and environmental factors influencing this onset. The cohort excludes girls with premature thelarche, pathological or iatrogenic causes of early puberty (such as central nervous system lesions, ovarian cysts, or thyroid disorders), chronic systemic diseases, or those currently using hormonal therapy.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Mean Age at Onset of Puberty
Time Frame: Baseline
The onset of puberty will be clinically determined by the presence of thelarche (progressive glandular breast development). The specific age of onset will be identified through a structured questionnaire administered via personal interview and clinical assessment.
Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

September 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

September 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

October 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 14, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 14, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

August 19, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 19, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 14, 2026

Last Verified

August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Puberty Onset in Asyut Girls

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Subscribe