title: Puberty onset among boys in riyadh, saudi arabia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ages of onset of pubertal characteristics are influenced by genetic, geographic, dietary and socioeconomic factors; however, due to lack of country-specific norms, clinicians in Saudi Arabia use Western estimates as standards of reference for local children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the Riyadh Puberty Study was to provide data on pubertal development to determine the average age of onset of pubertal characteristics among Saudi boys.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study among male school children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2006, 542 schoolboys, aged 6 to 16 years old, from diverse socioeconomic levels were selected into the sample using a cluster sample design. Tanner stages were ascertained during physical examination by pediatric endocrine consultants, and also trained pediatric residents and fellows.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age (standard deviation) at Tanner Stages 2, 3, 4, and 5 for pubic hair development of Saudi boys was 11.4 (1.6), 13.3 (1.3), 14.4 (1.0) and 15.1 (0.8) years old, respectively. For gonadal development, the mean age (standard deviation) at stages 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 11.4 (1.5), 13.3 (1.2), 14.3 (1.1) and 15.0 (0.9) years old, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ages of onset of pubertal characteristics, based on gonadal development, among Saudi boys are comparable to those reported in Western populations.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Al Alwan
authors.forename: Naila
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Felimban
authors.forename: Yasmin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Altwaijri
authors.forename: Hani
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tamim
authors.forename: Angham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al Mutair
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shoukri
authors.forename: Waleed
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tamimi
keywords: Riyadh; Saudi Arabia; adolescence; boys; pubertal characteristics; puberty onset