Normales Wachstum und Wachstumsstörungen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen

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Abstract
Normal growth and its variability are discussed on the basis of the new Zürich standard percentile charts. In the perinatal period boys grow faster than girls, presumably because of the higher concentration of plasma testosterone. At the age of 6–7 years there is a modest midgrowth spurt, presumably caused by the increasing secretion of adrenal androgens (adrenarche). Just before puberty growth velocity reaches its lowest point. This is followed by the pubertal growth spurt with its peak at a mean age of 12 years in girls and 14 years in boys. This growth spurt is more marked in boys and is caused by the increasing secretion of the gonadal steroids (gonadarche). Three or four years later growth ceases.