This can be considered in 3 stages
- Infant Stage (age 0 to 2 years)
- Rapid linear growth of approx 14-18 cm/yr
- Nutrition dependent. More food means more growth
- Childhood stage (2 years to onset of puberty)
- Steady growth od approx 6 cm/yr
- Hormone dependent
- Pubertal stage
- Rapid linear growth of approx 10 cm/yr
- Depends on pubertal hormones and Growth Hormone
- Occurs at start of puberty in girls and end of puberty in boys
When there are concerns about abnormal growth, accurate assessment of Pubertal status is imperative for accurate diagnosis.
Image from Pharmacia & Upjohn teaching resources