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Correspondence Between Gonadal Steroid Hormone Concentrations and Secondary Sexual Characteristics Assessed by Clinicians, Adolescents, and Parents
Author(s) -
Huang Bin,
Hillman Jennifer,
Biro Frank M.,
Ding, Lili,
Dorn Lorah D.,
Susman Elizabeth J.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of research on adolescence
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.342
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1532-7795
pISSN - 1050-8392
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-7795.2011.00773.x
Subject(s) - testosterone (patch) , hormone , psychology , morning , gonadal hormones , physiology , sexual function , developmental psychology , medicine , clinical psychology , endocrinology , castration
Adolescent sexual maturation is staged using T anner criteria assessed by clinicians, parents, or adolescents. The physiology of sexual maturation is driven by gonadal hormones. We investigate T anner stage progression as a function of increasing gonadal hormone concentration and compare performances of different raters. Fifty‐six boys (mean age, 12.7 ± 1.3 years) and 52 girls (mean age, 12.0 ± 1.6 years) were seen at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Estradiol and testosterone concentrations were determined from three morning serum samples and T anner stage by three different raters (clinician, parent, and adolescent). Results confirm that Tanner criteria reflect gonadal hormone concentrations, and clinician rating provides optimal assessment. Detailed insight about the strengths and limitations of different raters is provided, augmenting the scientific understanding of pubertal development.