Elsevier

The Journal of Pediatrics

Volume 70, Issue 2, February 1967, Pages 256-263
The Journal of Pediatrics

Original article
A comparison of skeletal growth and maturation in undernourished and well-nourished girls before and after menarche

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3476(67)80420-7Get rights and content

The skeletal maturational progress of 30 undernourished and 30 well-nourished girls was followed from early childhood to early adulthood. Progress was evaluated from radiographs of the left hand taken every 6 months and from height measurements taken every 3 months. Chronic undernutrition slowed the rate of both skeletal growth and skeletal maturation, delayed menarche, and prolonged the growth period. The retarding influence on the growing skeleton was most pronounced before menarche. There was no appreciable difference in adult height between groups as the longer growth time of the undernourished girls apparently balanced the faster growth rate of the well-nourished girls.

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Cited by (147)

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This study was supported by grants from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation.

*

Address, Department of Nutrition and Metabolism, Northwestern University Medical School, 303 East Chicago Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611.

**

Tom D. Spies Professor of Nutrition and Metabolism.

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