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Methods for determining pubertal status in research studies: literature review and opinions of experts and adolescents

Part of: DOHaD on International Women's Day 2020

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 June 2019

I. V. Walker Open the ORCID record for I. V. Walker [Opens in a new window] ,
C. R. Smith ,
J. H. Davies Open the ORCID record for J. H. Davies [Opens in a new window] ,
H. M. Inskip Open the ORCID record for H. M. Inskip [Opens in a new window]  and
J. Baird Open the ORCID record for J. Baird [Opens in a new window]
I. V. Walker*
Affiliation:
Medical Research Council (MRC) Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK Primary Care and Population Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
C. R. Smith
Affiliation:
Department of General Paediatrics, Southampton Children’s Hospital, Southampton, UK
J. H. Davies
Affiliation:
Department of Endocrinology, Southampton Children’s Hospital, Southampton, UK
H. M. Inskip
Affiliation:
Medical Research Council (MRC) Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
J. Baird
Affiliation:
Medical Research Council (MRC) Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
*
Address for correspondence: I. V. Walker, c/o J. Baird, MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK. Email: i.v.walker@soton.ac.uk
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Abstract

In lifecourse studies that encompass the adolescent period, the assessment of pubertal status is important, but can be challenging. We aimed to identify current methods for pubertal assessment and assess their appropriateness for population-based research by combining a review of the literature with the views of experts in the field. We searched bibliographic databases, extracted data and assessed study quality to inform a workshop with 21 experts. Acceptability of different approaches was explored with a panel of ten adolescents. We screened 11,935 abstracts, assessed 157 articles and summarised results from 38 articles. Combining these with the opinions of experts, self-assessment was found to be a practical method for use in studies where agreement with the gold standard of clinical assessment by physical examination to within one Tanner stage was acceptable. Serial measures of height and foot size accurately indicated timing of the pubertal growth spurt and age at peak height velocity, and were seen as feasible within longitudinal studies. Hormonal and radiological methods did not offer a practical means of assessing pubertal status. Assessment of voice maturation was promising, but needed validation. Young people thought that self-assessment, foot size and voice assessments were acceptable, and preferred an assessor of the same sex for clinical assessment. This review thus informs researchers working in lifecourse and adolescent health, and identifies future directions in order to improve validity of the methods.

Keywords

Pubertyadolescencepubertal statuspubertal assessmentTanner stages
Type
Review
Information
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease , Volume 11 , Issue 2 , April 2020 , pp. 168 - 187
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press and the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 2019

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