Investigating puberty onset in Danish children

The COPENHAGEN School Study. Normal Pubertal Development in Youth 2021 and Long-term Disease and Death Risk After Extremely Early Puberty

Observational Rigshospitalet, Denmark · NCT04884620

This study looks at healthy Danish school children to see if they are starting puberty earlier than they did 15 years ago and what that might mean for their long-term health.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment3000 (estimated)
Ages5 Years to 19 Years
SexAll
SponsorRigshospitalet, Denmark Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation
Locations1 site (Copenhagen)
Trial IDNCT04884620 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study examines healthy Danish school children to determine if the age of pubertal onset has continued to decline over the past 15 years. It involves clinical examinations and blood sample withdrawals to assess various physical development markers and hormone levels. The study aims to explore the mechanisms behind earlier puberty onset and the long-term health risks associated with extremely early puberty using data from Danish registries.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy children and adolescents of Caucasian descent.

Not a fit: Patients with acute diseases, cancer, or chronic conditions will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into the health implications of early puberty and inform public health strategies.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown varying results regarding the trends in puberty onset, but this specific approach is novel in its comprehensive assessment of both physical and hormonal factors.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy children and adolescents

Exclusion Criteria:

* In case of acute disease, cancer, cancer therapy, or chronic disease (History of malignant disease, chemotherapy or radiation, cystic fibrosis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, chronic renal disease or known numerical chromosome aberration)
* Non-Caucasian

Where this trial is running

Copenhagen

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions PubertyPuberty, Precocious
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.