Pubertal data are an integral part of monitoring health trends in children. Two recent studies have shown that children are entering puberty at younger ages than have been historically noted. Furthermore, much variability is evident between individuals as to what the defining features are of the pubertal transition.The first study, led by Annette Mouritsen, had a longitudinal design (over 5 years) and repetitively analysed serum samples from 179 healthy Danish children (89 girls and 90 boys). The researchers found that only a minority of girls (7%) and boys (25%) experienced pubarche (attainment of pubic hair) as the first sign of puberty.
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