Pubertal growth and maturity pattern in early and late maturers. A prospective longitudinal study of Swedish urban children.

Abstract

Pubertal growth in height and the pattern of skeletal and pubertal development were studied in early and late maturers of each sex. The growth rate in height in relation to age at peak height velocity was found to be significantly greater in early maturers of both sexes from at least 7 years before to 2 years after PHV. The peak height was greater in early than in late maturers, the difference being statistically significant in boys only. The amount of growth during the pubertal growth spurt was significantly greater in the early maturers of each sex. The lag periods between the occurrence of maturity indicators of skeletal and pubertal development in relation to age at peak height velocity differed between early and late maturers. The maturity indicators occurred earlier in relation to PHV in the late maturer of each sex.