Objective: Earlier studies on seasonality have shown greater height gain in children in spring and has been attributed to the effect of melatonin, glucocorticoid receptor pathway, ghrelin and a number of other factors on growth hormone. This study aimed to find seasonal variations in growth velocity in Asian Indian children between 3 and 18 years of age.
Methods: This was a longitudinal prospective study conducted in 16 schools and preschools of NTR district of Andhrapradesh, India. Date of birth was documented and height was recorded using standard anthropometric technique, described by WHO, at three monthly intervals for one year.
Results: At the baseline visit, 4186 children were recruited. Data pertaining to 859 students was eliminated because of the presence of chronic illnesses or height SDS +/-5 or being lost for follow-up. Of the 3327 children analyzed, 1627 were boys and 1700 were girls. There was no significant seasonal variation in height velocity between any of the four seasons in either boys or girls.
Discussion/Conclusion: The amplitude of seasonal variation is described in proportion to the distance from the Equator. However, improving agricultural conditions and changing lifestyle habits might have contributed to the absence of seasonal variation in growth.
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