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Background

There is variation of the age of onset of puberty in a population. The secular trends in the timing of pubertal development have decreased in some parts of the world.

Objective

To determine the age of pubertal development in healthy Thai boys in Khon Kaen, Thailand and compare it with that in previous studies of Thai boys.

Methods

A descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed in 316 school boys aged 5–16 years between May and July 2011. Development of the genitals and pubic hair was determined by Tanner staging, and testicular volume was assessed using a Prader orchidometer. All boys were examined by a male pediatrician.

Results

Genital stage of puberty in boys occurred at a median age of 11.3 years and a mean ± SD age of 11.3 ± 1.3 (mean ± SD, range 8.0–14.9) years, and pubarche occurred at a median age of 12.8 years and a mean ± SD of 12.5 ± 1.2 years (range 9.1–14.9) years.

Conclusions

No secular trend towards earlier age at pubertal onset for gonadarche in Khon Kaen boys, but pubarche seems to be later than found in previous studies in Thai boys.

eISSN:
1875-855X
Idioma:
Inglés
Calendario de la edición:
6 veces al año
Temas de la revista:
Medicine, Assistive Professions, Nursing, Basic Medical Science, other, Clinical Medicine