Abstract
Abstract
Objectives: to assess the pubertal growth spurt in Egyptian adolescent girls, using middle phalanx of the middle finger (MP3) skeletal maturity indicator. Additionally, to assess the (MP3) radiodensity and to correlate the bone radiodensity with pubertal stages.
Materials and methods: This study was carried out at Alexandria governorate, Egypt, between the period of 9/2016 till 9/2017. A total sample of 1257 girls were included, with an age range of (8 -14 years). Middle phalanx of the middle finger (MP3) was digitally radiographed for each subject, interpreted and assigned its MP3 stage. Radiodensity was measured for a total sample of 30 radiographs, selected randomly from each pubertal group of MP3 (pre, pubertal, post-pubertal).
Results: The results revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between mean age values at different MP3 growth stages. The mean age value of the peak of pubertal growth spurt represented by MP3 stage G were 11.21 ± 0.85 years old. There was a statistically significant difference between mean bone density values at different pubertal stages (pre-pubertal, pubertal, post-pubertal). Pre-pubertal stage showed the statistically significant lowest mean bone density.
Conclusions: There was a statistically significant difference between mean age values at different MP3 growth stages. The onset and peak of pubertal growth spurt (MP3-FG, MP3-G), in Egyptian girls were found to occur at 10.01 ± 0.91 and 11.21 ± 0.85 years respectively. Accordingly, most of growth modification treatment should be considered according to such age range, which represents the active growth period.
Clinical Relevance:
The (MP3) method is of easy execution and interpretation, and may be performed in any clinical setting with minimal radiation exposure. Therefore, it might be used for planning treatment timing in functional treatments. In addition to close monitoring of the maturity phases by longitudinal recordings.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC