Age of high growth rate in adolescent period of development

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess the chronological age of different skeletal maturity events in young adolescents. A total of 100 subjects [50 males 50 females] visiting the children's hospital and the Institute of Child Health, Lahore, were included in the study. The mean age of these subjects was 12.23+ 2.33years. Skeletal maturity was assessed with left hand-wrist radiograph through method described by Fishman. Chronological age was determined by knowing the exact date of birth of adolescent. Result showed that the females were advanced than males in about 1.2 years in attaining peak growth velocity. The peak growth velocity of females arrived at the age 12.78+ 1.73 and that of males is at 13.9+1.37 years. The study also showed racial differences. Through these results the simple information of patient's chronological age aids the clinician in evaluating the patient's growth potential and facilitates establishment of appropriate timing and types of orthodontic treatment, retention needs, and proper timing for surgical intervention