Sexual maturation of Greek boys.
BACKGROUND
Sexual maturation is dependent on genetic and environmental factors, therefore each ethnic group has to have its own normative data.


OBJECTIVE
This study describes the sexual maturation of Greek boys.


METHODS
We examined cross-sectionally 1266 healthy boys, aged 8-16 years. Pubertal staging in each boy was assessed according to Tanner's classification. Our data were also compared with those of a study performed in 1968.


RESULTS
The first pubertal sign was genital enlargement (G2) that occurred at a mean age of 11.0 (+/- 1.3) years followed by pubic hair development (PH2) at 11.5 (+/- 1.5) years of age. There was no clear change in pubertal maturation from the 1968 study.


CONCLUSIONS
The age at which genital development occurs in Greek boys is no different from that of other Caucasian populations. However, pubic hair in Greek boys develops significantly earlier.
Papadimitriou
A
A
First Department of Paediatrics, Penteli Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece. lix@ath.forthnet.gr
Stephanou
N
N
Papantzimas
K
K
Glynos
G
G
Philippidis
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000254:growth & development*; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology*