Assessment of pubertal development in Egyptian girls.

Puberty is a significant event of human growth and maturation associated with marked physiological and psychological changes. The aim of this study was to assess normal pubertal development in Egyptian girls to define normal, precocious and delayed puberty. The present study included a cross-sectional sample of 1,550 normal Egyptian girls of high and middle socioeconomic class living in Cairo. Their ages ranged from 6.5 to 18.5 years. Pubertal assessment was made according to Tanner staging. The mean menarcheal age (MMA) was estimated using probit analysis. Weight and height were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The mean age at breast bud stage (B2) was 10.71+/-1.6, pubic hair stage (PH2) was 10.46+/-1.36, while axillary hair stage (A2) was 11.65+/-1.62 and MMA was 12.44 years. The mean age at attainment of puberty was compared with those of other Egyptian studies and other populations. Girls of the present study started pubertal development and achieved menarche earlier than those of previous Egyptian studies confirming a secular trend. Differences between the present study and other worldwide studies can be attributed to various genetic, racial, geographical, nutritional, and secular trend factors.