Research suggests that vitamin D deficiency might be linked to earlier puberty, while adequate levels may help regulate timing, but studies are mixed, with some showing vitamin D supplementation doesn't significantly alter normal pubertal progression, though it may help delay precocious (early) puberty in deficient individuals. Key findings point to lower vitamin D levels correlating with earlier menarche (first period) in girls and potentially later puberty in boys when maternal intake is low, but direct causal links from supplementation in healthy kids are less clear.
A systematic meta-analysis of six studies including 3016 precocious puberty patients and 8296 healthy individuals showed that vitamin-D-deficient subjects were more likely to develop precocious puberty [4]. Wu et al.
Evidence suggests that oral vitamin D supplementation may result in little to no difference in linear growth, stunting, hypercalciuria, or hypercalcaemia, compared to placebo or no intervention, but may result in a slight increase in length/height‐for‐age z‐score (L/HAZ).
What You Can Do
Provide vitamin D supplementation of 600 IU daily (400–800 IU daily, given preparation availability on market) for healthy adolescents, and at least 1,000 IU daily for adolescents who are at risk for vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency (Table 1), in addition to vitamin D received through the diet or via sun exposure.
For most people, 10 micrograms/µg per day (400 IU) of Vitamin D is enough and is safe. Adults and children over 11 years should avoid daily high dose vitamin D supplements containing more than 100 micrograms/µg (4000 IU).
Safety and side effects
Taking more than 4,000 IU a day of vitamin D might cause: Upset stomach and vomiting. Weight loss and not wanting to eat. Muscle weakness.
What Can Slow Growth?
Causes of delayed puberty
Even if your child has an underlying medical condition, puberty can almost always be started through hormone therapy. Most often, it only requires brief treatment to “jump-start” puberty, but in some cases, doctors will recommend long-term hormone therapy.
Abstract. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone homeostasis. Although short-stature children were reported to have low vitamin D concentrations, there is no clear evidence of a link between vitamin D and height growth in young children not limited to those with short stature.
The symptoms include:
Deficiency in vitamin D has also been linked to non-skeletal health outcomes such as growth. Stunting and poor growth among children under five years of age remain a major global challenge.
Many people with low vitamin D do not have symptoms, but some children with low vitamin D get bone and muscle pain. Very low vitamin D can lead to soft bones, causing rickets in children and a condition called osteomalacia (os-tee-oh-mah-lay-shee-ah) in adolescents and adults.
Nutrition Services recommends a daily 400 IU vitamin D supplement for all babies and children from birth to 18 years. Some babies, such as preterm babies, and children may benefit from higher amounts of vitamin D. Talk to your healthcare provider about your child's vitamin D needs.
Highlights. Vitamin D dosage ≤1000 IU/day significantly increased IGF-1 levels. Intervention duration ≤12 weeks significantly increased IGF-1 levels. In cohort study, under 60 years subjects with a higher dietary vitamin D intake had significantly higher IGF-1 levels.
The classic presentation of delayed puberty includes diminished height compared with peers (due to lack of pubertal growth acceleration) and lack of development of secondary sex characteristics; that is, no testicular enlargement (<4 mL) in boys by age 13.5 to 14 years or lack of breast development (Tanner I breasts) ...
In most cases, delayed puberty is simply a matter of growth changes beginning later than usual, sometimes called late bloomer. Once puberty begins, it progresses normally. This is called constitutional delayed puberty, and it runs in families. This is the most common cause of late maturity.
Can certain foods delay the onset of puberty? Yes, foods rich in plant-based nutrients like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help maintain a healthy hormone balance. These foods are low in unhealthy fats and harmful chemicals, which may otherwise accelerate the onset of puberty.
Most often, delayed puberty is a pattern of growth and development in a family. A child's parents, uncle, aunt, brothers, sisters, or cousins might have developed later than usual too. This is called constitutional delay and usually doesn't need any treatment.
Several genetic syndromes can lead to short stature, including Prader-Willi syndrome, Turner syndrome and Noonan syndrome. Chronic diseases. Growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland, located in the middle of the brain. Therefore, chronic medical problems that affect the pituitary gland may also affect growth.
Children aged 9 years and older should not take more than 4000 IU (100 mcg) daily. Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis): Taking vitamin D could make this condition worse, especially in people with kidney disease.
Taking too much vitamin D leads to calcium buildup (hypercalcemia), causing physical signs like nausea/vomiting, fatigue/weakness, frequent urination & excessive thirst, constipation, and confusion/disorientation, alongside potential bone pain or kidney stones, often from supplements, not sun exposure.
a recommendation that was considered controversial because of a potentially increased risk of skin cancer. Other experts suggested that perhaps being outdoors with sun exposure caused improved health outcomes independent of increased vitamin D.