A1 Journal article (refereed)
The skeletal maturity of Australian children aged 10–13 years in 2016 (2021)
Duckham, R. L., Hawley, N. L., Rodda, C., Rantalainen, T., & Hesketh, K. D. (2021). The skeletal maturity of Australian children aged 10–13 years in 2016. Annals of Human Biology, 48(2), 150-152. https://doi.org/10.1080/03014460.2021.1909137
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Duckham, Rachel L.; Hawley, Nicola L.; Rodda, Christine; Rantalainen, Timo; Hesketh, Kylie D.
Journal or series: Annals of Human Biology
ISSN: 0301-4460
eISSN: 1464-5033
Publication year: 2021
Publication date: 18/04/2021
Volume: 48
Issue number: 2
Pages range: 150-152
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03014460.2021.1909137
Publication open access: Not open
Publication channel open access: Channel is not openly available
Abstract
Skeletal maturity can be used as a biological indicator of the tempo of growth in children and adolescents. We present a description of skeletal maturity from a cohort of white Australian children and describe variation in skeletal maturity based on child age. Participants (n = 71; age 10.5–13.9 years) were recruited from the ‘Healthy, Active Preschool & Primary Years (HAPPY)’ study. Left hand-wrist radiographs were used to determine skeletal maturity using the Tanner-Whitehouse III (TW3) RUS technique. In boys, the mean skeletal maturity offset (bone age – chronological age) was −0.12 ± 0.19 years and 57.9% had delayed skeletal maturity compared to chronological age. Among those with delayed skeletal maturity, the average delay was 0.99 years (range 0.02–2.54 years). In girls, skeletal age was advanced, on average, compared to chronological age by 0.32 ± 0.20 years. Among the 39.4% of girls with delayed skeletal maturity, the average delay was 0.48 years (range: 0.01–2.28). Four children in the sample exhibited a delay in skeletal maturity greater than 2 years. In the context of secular trends towards advanced skeletal maturity observed globally, delayed skeletal maturation in this white, economically privileged cohort are surprising and warrant further exploration.
Keywords: maturation; skeletal system; growth; children (age groups); boys; girls
Free keywords: maturation; skeletal; growth; boys and girls
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2021
JUFO rating: 1