PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Deeb, Asma AU - Akle, Mariette AU - Al Zaabi, Abrar AU - Siwji, Zohra AU - Attia, Salima AU - Al Suwaidi, Hana AU - Al Qahtani, Nabras AU - Ehtisham, Sarah TI - Maternal attitude towards delaying puberty in girls with and without a disability: a questionnaire-based study from the United Arab Emirates AID - 10.1136/bmjpo-2018-000306 DP - 2018 Oct 01 TA - BMJ Paediatrics Open PG - e000306 VI - 2 IP - 1 4099 - http://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000306.short 4100 - http://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000306.full AB - Background Parental anxiety about the impact of puberty/menses, particularly in girls with severe disability leads to seeking therapeutic pubertal suppression. We aim to explore maternal attitudes and reasons for seeking pubertal suppression.Methods Mothers of girls receiving gonadotropin -releasing hormone analogue therapy in Mafraq hospital, Abu Dhabi were enrolled in the study. A semistructured interview was conducted to ascertain possible reasons for delaying puberty. The study group was divided into girls with a disability with central precocious puberty (CPP) or normal puberty and girls without a disability presenting with CPP.Results 42 mother–daughter pairs were enrolled and divided into two groups; group A: 15 girls with CPP with no disability; group B: 27 girls with disability (10 had CPP (group B1) and 17 had normal pubertal timing (group B2)). Mothers in group A aimed to delay puberty, while in group B, 13 (48%) mothers desired to halt puberty and 7 (26%) requested permanent surgical intervention. Fear of short stature (15, 100%), inability to cope psychologically (10, 67%) and fear of peer rejection (9, 60%) were the main concerns in group A. In group B, mothers were concerned about menstrual hygiene management (25, 92.5%), fear of child abuse or unwanted pregnancy (15, 55%) and fear of inability to express pain/discomfort with menstruation (8, 30%).Conclusion Mothers of girls with a disability commonly seek medical help to delay/halt puberty due to concerns about menstrual hygiene. Short final height was the main concern for girls without a disability. Culture and religion play an important role in puberty management in girls with a disability.