Evaluation of self-assessment of pubertal maturation in boys and girls using drawings and orchidometer.

• BACKGROUND: Self-assessment of puberty has been reported to correlate well with staging by a physician. No previous study has evaluated the use of an orchidometer to assess testicular size in boys. STUDY DESIGN: This study included 44 girls and 56 boys, 10-16 years old, with assessed Tanner staging. The boys also used an orchidometer. The correlation with a professional's staging was analyzed using percentage agreement (PA). RESULTS: For girls, the PA for breast development was 52%, and for pubic hair, 64%. There was no case of the difference being greater than one stage. For boys, the PA for pubic hair was 75%. For testicular volume, the PA was 36%; in 95%, the difference was only one size. CONCLUSIONS: We found pubertal self-assessment, including the use of an orchidometer for boys, to be a useful method. However, if the purpose is to determine exact pubertal onset, the assessment should be made by a trained professional.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Pediatrik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Pediatrics (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)