Sexual maturation of Greek boys

Background: Sexual maturation is dependent on genetic and environmental factors, therefore each ethnic group has to have its own normative data. Aim: This study describes the sexual maturation of Greek boys. Subjects and methods: We examined cross-sectionally 1266 healthy boys, aged 8-16 years. Pubertal staging in each boy was assessed according to Tanner's classification. Our data were also compared with those of a study performed in 1968. Results: The first pubertal sign was genital enlargement (G2) that occurred at a mean age of 11.0 (+/-1.3) years followed by pubic hair development (PH2) at 11.5 (+/-1.5) years of age. There was no clear change in pubertal maturation from the 1968 study. Conclusions: The age at which genital development occurs in Greek boys is no different from that of other Caucasian populations. However, pubic hair in Greek boys develops significantly earlier.