Pubertal maturation of contemporary Greek boys: no evidence of a secular trend.

PURPOSE: To examine pubertal status of contemporary Greek boys and compare the data with those of a previous study we performed in the year 1996.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study of 932 healthy boys, aged from 8.05 to 16.05 years. Development of the genitalia (G) and pubic hair was assessed by the method of Tanner and testicular volume (TV) was determined with a Prader orchidometer. Genitalia stage 2 (G2) was assessed by probit analysis.

RESULTS

Median (95% confidence interval [CI]) age at G2, defined as TV 4 mL, was 11.3 (10.9-11.6) years, almost the same age as in our study performed in 1996, which was 11.4 (10.7-11.7) years (p = .21). When G2 was defined as change in scrotum texture and TV2 mL, median (95% CI) age at onset of puberty was 10.9 (10.5-11.3) years, again similar to the study performed in 1996 which was 11.0 (10.7-11.4) (p = .32). Median (95% CI) age of pubic hair development was 11.2 (10.8-11.6) years versus 11.5 (11.1-12.0) years in 1996, p = .015.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data provide no evidence of a secular trend for gonadarche in Greek boys, although such a trend was evident for pubarche.