Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 3 complete abstracts (659 words), 9 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Gradual increase in the number, the size, and the complexity of cells of an individual. Growth generally results in increase in organ weight; body weight; and body height.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Growth and Development
- Narrower topics
- Body Size; Cell Growth Processes; Organ Size; Tropism
- See also
- Child Development; Personality Development
Related concepts
- Organ Weight
- Body Weight
- Body Height
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 972,323 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Growth” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 174,661 of them (18.0%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 317,348 records.
Reviews account for 59,689 records (6.1%) and meta-analyses for 4,603. Randomized controlled trials number 20,805 (2.1%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 282,100 |
| 2000-2009 | 198,214 |
| 2010-2019 | 317,348 |
| 2020 onward | 174,661 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 59,689 | 6.1% |
| Meta-analyses | 4,603 | 0.5% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 20,805 | 2.1% |
Method: PubMed query "Growth"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in anatomy and physiology
Anatomy describes how body structures are built and physiology describes how they normally work, so most findings here are descriptive or mechanistic rather than evidence about treatment. Much of what is known comes from dissection, imaging, tissue studies and experiments in animals, and measurements in healthy volunteers can differ from those in people with disease or at different ages. Normal ranges vary between individuals and populations. Check whether a result was measured in people or in another species, the age and health of the participants, and the method used.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apitegromab for lean mass preservation during tirzepatide-induced weight loss: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial | 2026 | Randomized controlled trial Design not recorded in structured metadata | 9 | cc by PMID 42260100 · DOI · PMC13375528 |
| The penicillin-binding protein PBP1b fortifies the Escherichia coli division site against osmotic rupture | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 8 | cc by PMID 42399561 · DOI · PMC13423804 |
| Branched chain amino acid metabolism and microbiome in adolescents with obesity during weight loss therapy | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 3 | cc by PMID 42454489 · DOI · PMC13367979 |
Apitegromab for lean mass preservation during tirzepatide-induced weight loss: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Loss of lean mass in proportion to total weight loss is observed with incretin mimetic therapies such as tirzepatide and has the potential to adversely affect health and function.
- Closing excerpt
- gov identifier: NCT06445075 .
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (236 words)
Loss of lean mass in proportion to total weight loss is observed with incretin mimetic therapies such as tirzepatide and has the potential to adversely affect health and function. Apitegromab is an investigational, fully human monoclonal antibody that selectively inhibits myostatin activation and is, thereby, capable of increasing muscle mass. In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 EMBRAZE study, adults with overweight or obesity (n = 102) were randomized 1:1 to receive tirzepatide plus apitegromab (10 mg kg-1) or tirzepatide plus placebo. At week 24, apitegromab resulted in a least square mean (80% confidence interval (CI)) of 1.9 (1.2-2.7) kg less lean mass loss than placebo (P = 0.001), despite similar total body weight loss between groups, representing a 54.9% retention of lean mass relative to placebo. In participants receiving apitegromab, trough concentrations of apitegromab and total latent myostatin, a pharmacodynamic marker, both increased over time and reached a plateau after approximately 16 weeks. Incidence of adverse events (AEs) (% (95% CI)) was generally similar across apitegromab-treated participants and placebo-treated participants, with 39 of 51 (76% (63-86%)) and 36 of 51 (71% (57-81%)) participants experiencing an AE, respectively. Serious adverse events (SAEs) were balanced and experienced by one of 51 (2% (0-10%)) participants in each arm. In summary, this proof-of-concept study demonstrated that selective targeting of myostatin by apitegromab was well tolerated and effective in preserving lean mass when combined with tirzepatide. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06445075 .
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42260100 · DOI · PMC13375528
The penicillin-binding protein PBP1b fortifies the Escherichia coli division site against osmotic rupture [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The divisome apparatus synthesizes septal peptidoglycan (PG) during bacterial division.
- Closing excerpt
- The conservation of aPBPs with extended cytoplasmic N termini suggests that other Gram-negative bacteria may use similar mechanisms for division site reinforcement.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (155 words)
The divisome apparatus synthesizes septal peptidoglycan (PG) during bacterial division. In Escherichia coli, the class A penicillin-binding protein (aPBP) called PBP1b has been implicated in division, but its role in the process has remained unclear. Here we show using in situ cryo-electron tomography, genetics and other imaging methods that PBP1b is required to produce a wedge-like density of PG at the division site and that loss of this structure weakens the division site, making it hypersusceptible to osmotic lysis. Surprisingly, the activator LpoB needed for general PBP1b function was not required for its role in division. Of the two PBP1b isoforms produced in cells, we show that the one with an extended cytoplasmic N terminus localizes to and functions at the division site, probably via recruitment by the FtsA component of the divisome. The conservation of aPBPs with extended cytoplasmic N termini suggests that other Gram-negative bacteria may use similar mechanisms for division site reinforcement.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42399561 · DOI · PMC13423804
Branched chain amino acid metabolism and microbiome in adolescents with obesity during weight loss therapy [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BACKGROUNDObesity and weight loss in adults have been associated with distinct metabolome and gut microbiome features, but the extent to which those associations apply to adolescent stages remain unclear.
- Closing excerpt
- FUNDING SUPPORTAmerican Heart Association Grants: 17SFRN33670990, 20PRE35180195; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Grant: R24-DK110492.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (268 words)
BACKGROUNDObesity and weight loss in adults have been associated with distinct metabolome and gut microbiome features, but the extent to which those associations apply to adolescent stages remain unclear.METHODSThe Pediatric Obesity Microbiome and Metabolism Study (POMMS) enrolled 220 adolescents aged 10-18 with severe obesity (OB) and 67 individuals who were healthy weight controls (HWCs). Blood, stool, and clinical measures were collected at baseline and after a 6-month obesity intervention for the OB group. Metabolomic profiling in serum using targeted quantitative mass spectrometry and microbiome profiling in stool were performed, and those features were assessed for associations with BMI, insulin resistance, and inflammation. Fecal microbiome transplants (FMT) were performed on germ-free mice using samples from both groups to assess effects on weight gain and metabolic pathways.RESULTSAdolescents with OB exhibited higher serum branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) but lower branched-chain ketoacid (BCKA) levels compared with HWC. This pattern was sex- and age-dependent and differed from adults with obesity who show elevated levels of both BCAA and BCKA. Longitudinal analysis identified metabolic and microbial features correlated with changes in health measures during the intervention. The fecal microbiomes of adolescents with OB and HWC had similar diversity but differed in membership and functional potential. FMT from both OB and HWC donors had similar effects on mouse body weight, but specific taxa were linked to weight gain in recipients of FMT.CONCLUSIONAdolescents with OB have unique metabolomic adaptations and microbiome signatures compared with their HWC counterparts and adults with OB.TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03139877 (Observational Study) and NCT02959034 (Repository).FUNDING SUPPORTAmerican Heart Association Grants: 17SFRN33670990, 20PRE35180195; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Grant: R24-DK110492.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42454489 · DOI · PMC13367979
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Association of Antenatal Diet and Physical Activity-Based Interventions With Gestational Weight Gain and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis [4]
- Research article Pharmacotherapy for adults with overweight and obesity: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials [5]
- Research article Weight Gain Associated with COVID-19 Lockdown in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [6]
- Research article Efficacy of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Weight Loss, BMI, and Waist Circumference for Patients With Obesity or Overweight: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Meta-regression of 47 Randomized Controlled Trials [7]
- Research article The Effect of Low-Fat and Low-Carbohydrate Diets on Weight Loss and Lipid Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [8]
- Research article Weight regain after cessation of medication for weight management: systematic review and meta-analysis [9]
References
- Pratley RE, Denham DS, Trivedi R, Watkins E, Connery L, Barnes J, et al.. Apitegromab for lean mass preservation during tirzepatide-induced weight loss: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial. . 2026. PMID 42260100 · DOI · PMC13375528
- Navarro PP, Vettiger A, Hajdu R, Ananda VY, López-Tavares A, Schmid EW, et al.. The penicillin-binding protein PBP1b fortifies the Escherichia coli division site against osmotic rupture. . 2026. PMID 42399561 · DOI · PMC13423804
- McCann JR, Yang C, Bihlmeyer NA, Tang R, Truong T, Zhou W, et al.. Branched chain amino acid metabolism and microbiome in adolescents with obesity during weight loss therapy. . 2026. PMID 42454489 · DOI · PMC13367979
- Teede HJ, Bailey C, Moran LJ, Bahri Khomami M, Enticott J, Ranasinha S, et al.. Association of Antenatal Diet and Physical Activity-Based Interventions With Gestational Weight Gain and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2022. PMID 34928300 · DOI · PMC8689430
- Shi Q, Wang Y, Hao Q, Vandvik PO, Guyatt G, Li J, et al.. Pharmacotherapy for adults with overweight and obesity: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Lancet. 2022. PMID 34895470 · DOI
- Chang TH, Chen YC, Chen WY, Chen CY, Hsu WY, Chou Y, et al.. Weight Gain Associated with COVID-19 Lockdown in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2021. PMID 34684669 · DOI · PMC8540321
- Wong HJ, Sim B, Teo YH, Teo YN, Chan MY, Yeo LLL, et al.. Efficacy of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Weight Loss, BMI, and Waist Circumference for Patients With Obesity or Overweight: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Meta-regression of 47 Randomized Controlled Trials. Diabetes Care. 2025. PMID 39841962 · DOI
- Chawla S, Tessarolo Silva F, Amaral Medeiros S, Mekary RA, Radenkovic D. The Effect of Low-Fat and Low-Carbohydrate Diets on Weight Loss and Lipid Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2020. PMID 33317019 · DOI · PMC7763365
- West S, Scragg J, Aveyard P, Oke JL, Willis L, Haffner SJP, et al.. Weight regain after cessation of medication for weight management: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2026. PMID 41500720 · DOI · PMC12776922
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-31.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.