Investigating early puberty trends during the COVID-19 pandemic in diverse children and adolescents
Official title: Early Puberty During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Multi-Ethnic, Population-Based Cohort of Children and Adolescents
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-10997884 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic may have changed when kids and teens start puberty, especially for different racial and ethnic groups, to see if these changes could affect their long-term health and well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $46,614 |
| NIH project number | 1F31HD114457-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997884 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and adolescents experiencing early signs of puberty, particularly those from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing early puberty or who are outside the age range of the study may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the timing of puberty in children and adolescents from various racial and ethnic backgrounds. By analyzing electronic health records, the study aims to identify trends in early puberty onset, particularly focusing on conditions like central precocious puberty. The research seeks to understand the implications of these trends on long-term health outcomes, including mental health and chronic diseases. It also aims to explore whether the pandemic has worsened existing disparities in pubertal timing among different communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of early puberty, potentially reducing associated health risks in affected individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have indicated trends in early puberty, but this research aims to provide a more comprehensive analysis during a unique global health crisis, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Acker, Julia — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Acker, Julia
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.