The age of onset of pubertal development in healthy Thai girls in Khon Kaen, Thailand

Abstract

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.