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. 2009 Mar-Apr;80(2):327-37.
doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01263.x.

Pubertal development: correspondence between hormonal and physical development

Elizabeth A Shirtcliff  1 , Ronald E Dahl, Seth D Pollak
Affiliations

Pubertal development: correspondence between hormonal and physical development

Elizabeth A Shirtcliff et al. Child Dev. 2009 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Puberty is advanced by sex hormones, yet it is not clear how it is best measured. The interrelation of multiple indices of puberty was examined, including the Pubertal Development Scale (PDS), a picture-based interview about puberty (PBIP), and a physical exam. These physical pubertal measures were then associated with basal hormones responsible for advancing puberty. Participants included 160 early adolescents (82 boys). Puberty indices were highly correlated with each other. The physical exam stages correlated well with boys' and girls' testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone and less so with girls' estradiol. The PDS and PBIP were similarly related to basal hormones. Self-report may be adequate when precise agreement is unnecessary. Multiple measures of puberty are viable options, each with respective strengths.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Structural Equation Model for Boys. (A) Standardized β Coefficients when Testosterone and DHEA are Predicted by the Physical Exam Genital and Pubic Hair Stage. (B) Parallel model to A with Testosterone and DHEA Predicted by the PDS stages (in italics) and PBIP stages (in bold). *p<.05, **p<.01; ns=non-significant.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Structural Equation Model for Girls. (A) Standardized β Coefficients when Testosterone, DHEA and Estradiol are Predicted by the Physical Exam Breast and Pubic Hair Stage. (B) Parallel model to A with Basal Hormones Predicted by the PDS (in italics) and PBIP (in bold). *p<.05, **p<.01, ns=non-significant.
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