Pubertal growth in normal Thai children: a longitudinal study

ABSTRACT

Background: Pubertal growth data in Thai children has been reported as cross-sectional studies. There is no longitudinal study in Thai children.Objective: Investigate the longitudinal growth data in normal Thai children including the relationship between age at pubertal onset and other growth parameters.Material and method: Eighty-eight normal children (44 boys, 44 girls) were longitudinally assessed for the growth and puberty until they reached their final adult height. Pubertal staging was assessed by the Tanner method.Results: Mean age of pubertal onset was 10.2 ± 1.2 years for girls and 12.2 ± 1.0 years for boys. Total pubertal height gain was 18.3 ± 4.0 cm for girls and 22.3 ± 4.4 cm for boys. Total pubertal height gain had a negative correlation with age at pubertal onset for girls, but not for boys.Conclusion: The onset of puberty was not much changed from previous studies. Girls with early puberty had a higher pubertal height gain. This might be due to a compensatory mechanism. These longitudinal growth data can be used as a reference in clinical practices for Thai children.Keywords Pubertal onset, pubertal height gain, Thai children