Longitudinal Study of Calcium Metabolism in Male Puberty

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Abstract
With the purpose of studying Ca metabolism at the growth spurt phase in puberty, bone mineral content (BMC) of the forearm, and serum concentrations of total alkaline phosphatase, phosphate and Ca were determined in 36 boys every 3 mo. for .apprx. 2 yr. BMC increased 35% throughout the study age period of 10.6 to 14.6 yr, with a maximal rate between 12.8 and 13.8 yr. In relation to growth velocity BMC rose steepest during the 12 mo. around peak height velocity (PHV) (P < 0.001) and showed a progressive increase from 3 mo. before the first pubic hair stage (PH2) to PH4 (P < 0.001). Serum alkaline phosphatase increased by a total of 55% throughout the age period with a diminished rate of increase from 13.5 to 14 yr, around the PHV and from PH3 to PH4.