growth and puberty

Question 1

what does ‘normal growth’ mean?

Answer 1

Their measurements are within the normal range compared with children of their age

Their rate of growth is within the normal range compared with children of their age

Question 2

what is the average age that girls start puberty at?

Answer 2

11 years old (boys 6 months later)

Question 3

how is early puberty defined?

Answer 3

<8 years old for girls
<9 years old for boys

Question 4

how is delayed puberty defined?

Answer 4

> 13 years old for girls
14 years old for boys

Question 5

how is a growth problem established?

Answer 5

HISTORY
-ICE
-birth
-PMH
-pubertal symptoms
-FH (parental heights and parental puberty)

EXAMINATION
- height
-weight
-height velocity
-signs suggestive of pathology
-pubertal status

Question 6

what investigations are done if a growth problem is suspected?

Answer 6

bloods
-gonadotrophin, GF, testosterone/oestradiol, TFTs and karyotype
-bone age
-dynamic function tests
-MRI brain
-USS uterus