A Cross-Sectional Survey to Study the Association Between Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Early Puberty in Girls wsr to Dushi Visha

Abstract

The onset of early puberty in girls has been reported globally, and its underlying causes remain largely unclear. While nutrition and obesity are recognized factors, exposure to environmental chemicals, particularly EDCs, is increasingly being explored as a potential contributor. Objective: To investigate the association between EDC exposure and early puberty using a survey-based approach to assess lifestyle, environmental exposures, and pubertal milestones among children and adolescents and compare with the concept of Dushi visha. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted to assess the impact of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on early puberty, with reference to the Ayurvedic concept of Dushi Visha using structured and validated questionnaire. Results: The study revealed most of the participants had frequent exposure to various EDCs through different pathways. The findings revealed that 3% of the participants had early puberty, and the mean age at menarche was 11.75 years. Conclusion: The study revealed lower mean age at menarche compared to reported national and global average and the sources of EDC exposure among the study participants were identified in the study. The findings support a potential parallel with the Ayurvedic concept of Dushi Visha as a model of cumulative toxicity.