Delayed skeletal maturation in Perthes' disease.

We have studied skeletal maturation and carpal bone development in 27 girls with Perthes' disease by assessing consecutive radiographs during an observation time of 5 years. At the time of diagnosis of Perthes' disease, delayed skeletal maturation was both frequent and considerable and greater than at the end of observation. The mean age at appearance of carpal bones was delayed compared with controls. In bilateral disease, compared with unilateral disease, the onset of ossification in the carpals occurred later.