Interrelationship of Various Maturity Indicators during Adolescence in Maharashtrian Girls

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this investigation was to provide the orthodontist with an additional tool to help determine growth potential in the adolescent patient. Body height and weight can easily be recorded in any orthodontic clinic routinely and body mass index (BMI) can be calculated. A routinely taken diagnostic cephalogram will provide the orthodontist a reliable diagnostic tool to aid in formulating treatment options by relating the various physical maturity indicators such as, height, weight, BMI and onset of menarche with the skeletal maturation by cervical vertebrae. Materials and methods: Sixty-seven girls from an aided school housed in the university campus were followed for body size (height, weight) measurements, BMI, cervical vertebrae maturity index (CVMI) and skeletal maturity index (SMI) annually, alongwith the age of onset of menarche from the age of 10 to 15 years to find out the relationship between these variables. Results: The CVMI and SMI were directly related to the chronological age (p < 0.05), as well as height and weight at all stages (p < 0.05). CVMI was directly related to SMI (p < 0.01). BMI was directly related to SMI at all stages but with CVMI it was not significant at T2 and T6. A significant correlation was found with SMI and age at menarche, but with CVMI it was significantly related only at T3, T4 and T5. Conclusion: PHV occurred at 11 years of age during SMI 4-5 and CVM I-II stage. Menarche occurred at 13.25 years during SMI 7-8 and CVM Stage III-IV in study population. Cervical vertebrae maturation evaluation is proposed as an alternative method for skeletal maturation assessment without hand-wrist radiograph in Maharashtrian adolescent girls.