LATE ADOLESCENT GROWTH IN STATURE

Abstract

Information is lacking concerning the ages at which children cease to grow in stature and the increment in stature after particular chronological ages or maturational events. This information would assist the management of children receiving therapy that may alter potentials for growth in stature and would be useful in developing new methods for estimating adult stature from childhood parameters. The data were obtained from 194 children measured serially from birth to at least 22 years of age. Piecewise regressions provided estimates of the ages at which adult statures were reached and of adult stature levels. Growth in stature ceased at median ages of 21.2 years (boys) and 17.3 years (girls). The median stature increments, from 18 years to the cessation of growth in stature, were very small in the girls but were about 1.0 cm in the boys. The median stature increments after the femur or the tibia became mature, until growth in stature ceased, were close to 1.0 cm in each sex. These results demonstrate the variability of growth in children. Some retain considerable potentials for growth in stature after 18 years of age, after the femur or tibia has become mature or after intervals of one or two years during which stature increments are small.