Abstract
Background
There is variation of the age of onset of puberty in a population. The secular trends in the timing of pubertal development have decreased in some parts of the world.
Objective
To determine the age of pubertal development in healthy Thai boys in Khon Kaen, Thailand and compare it with that in previous studies of Thai boys.
Methods
A descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed in 316 school boys aged 5–16 years between May and July 2011. Development of the genitals and pubic hair was determined by Tanner staging, and testicular volume was assessed using a Prader orchidometer. All boys were examined by a male pediatrician.
Results
Genital stage of puberty in boys occurred at a median age of 11.3 years and a mean ± SD age of 11.3 ± 1.3 (mean ± SD, range 8.0–14.9) years, and pubarche occurred at a median age of 12.8 years and a mean ± SD of 12.5 ± 1.2 years (range 9.1–14.9) years.
Conclusions
No secular trend towards earlier age at pubertal onset for gonadarche in Khon Kaen boys, but pubarche seems to be later than found in previous studies in Thai boys.