Age of onset of pubertal characteristics in boys aged 6–14 years of the Province of L’Aquila (Abruzzo, Italy)

Abstract

Background: Previous results on growth patterns of children from central-southern Italy (Abruzzo region) showed an increasing tendency to obesity and suggested that the secular trend was still in progress in this region. However, data on pubertal development was lacking.Objective: The objective of the study was to provide population data on pubertal development in a sample of 535 boys aged 6–14 years as a contribution to the ongoing debate on earlier onset of pubertal traits and on the slowing down of the secular trend.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used. Data for genital and pubic hair development (GD and PHD) were analysed by probit analysis.Results: The boys start developing sexual characteristics at age 9: 13.3% had entered stage 2 of GD and 8.9% showed PHD. At 13 years of age, 5% and 7.4% were still in stage 1 of GD and PHD, respectively, whereas almost one-third had attained stage 5 for both sexual characteristics. The median age for attainment of stage 2 was 11.2 years for GD, 11.5 years for PHD and 11 years for one or both of them.Conclusions: These results are in line with those for several European and industrialized countries and do not show a significantly earlier onset of sexual maturation.