A groundbreaking study presented at the 62nd Annual European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Meeting suggests that prolonged exposure to blue light could accelerate bone growth. Devices like smartphones, tablets, and other digital screens emit this kind of light. Early puberty may result from this exposure. This study was conducted on rats. It has raised alarm about the potential long-term effects of screen time on children’s growth. Children are increasingly exposed to blue light from an early age, affecting their development.
IMPACT OF BLUE LIGHT ON GROWTH AND PUBERTY
As children grow, their long bones—like the femur—elongate at the growth plates. These are areas of cartilage that gradually harden. This process marks the end of height growth. Typically, girls stop growing between ages 14 and 16, while boys finish their growth between ages 16 and 18. There has been a concerning rise in early puberty in both girls and boys in recent years. It is often characterized by rapid growth. This rapid growth is followed by early cessation. The culprit behind this phenomenon may be the increased use of blue light-emitting devices, as suggested by recent findings.
THE STUDY: BLUE LIGHT AND BONE GROWTH IN RATS
Researchers from Gazi University in Turkey investigated the effects of blue light on physical growth and pubertal development in rats. The study involved 36 rats. There were 18 males and 18 females. They were exposed to normal light conditions. Some were exposed to varying durations of blue light for 6 or 12 hours per day. This exposure was from the age of 21 days until the onset of puberty. The researchers discovered that rats exposed to blue light grew faster. Their bones showed significant growth. These rats began puberty earlier than those under standard light conditions.
This study is the first to link blue light exposure to both accelerated bone growth and early puberty. Dr. Aylin Kılınç Uğurlu, the lead researcher, explained that previous studies had shown a risk of early puberty in rats. These rats were exposed to blue light. Yet, this study is the first to explore the impact on bone growth and growth plates.
POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR CHILDREN
While the study was conducted on rats, Dr. Kılınç Uğurlu emphasized the importance of further research to determine whether these findings could be replicated in humans. She noted that prolonged exposure to blue light accelerated physical growth. It also caused earlier maturation of the rats’ growth plates. These changes could result in shorter adult heights. This raises important concerns about the impact of increased screen time on children’s skeletal development and overall growth.
“Although accelerated growth may seem beneficial, the early maturation of the growth plates could have long-term consequences,” Dr. Kılınç Uğurlu said. “This suggests that excessive screen exposure could potentially lead to shorter adult stature. It might affect the timing and duration of bone growth.”
LONG-TERM EFFECTS ON BONE DEVELOPMENT
The researchers plan to follow up with further studies to explore the long-term effects of blue light exposure before puberty. They want to find out if certain durations or intensities of exposure have reversible effects. They also want to determine if the effects are permanent on bone development in adult rats. Understanding these impacts is critical, as it could guide recommendations for limiting screen time during childhood to safeguard healthy development.