[Validity of self-assessment of pubertal maturation in early adolescents]

Abstract

Self-assessment measures of sexual maturation continue to be used to classify pubertal development even though their reliability remains in question. This study examined the accuracy of self-assessment measures by early adolescents in one setting, during a day hospital. Standardized figure drawings depicting Tanner's sexual maturation stages were shown to early adolescents, and subjects were asked to rate their own pubertal development. Physical examination by physicians was used to corroborate sexual maturation. Participating in this study were 50 males (10-17 age) and 50 females (9-16 age). A small concordance rate between physical examination and self-assessment has been reported: 14% in males, 16% in females. There was a tendency for subjects males (48%) to overestimate their sexual development at later stages. A great part of the females (40%) answered exactly, with a shift to underestimation (36%) for breast stage and (54%) for pubic hair stage. So, in our experience, the small concordance between physical examination and self-assessment of pubertal maturation can't be used like a not controlled test.