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Breast
development (thelarche) begins around 11 years of age, and menses
("menarche") generally begin about two years after the onset of
breast development, at an average age of about 12.5 to 13 years of age.
Recent data suggests that girls may be experiencing thelarche earlier than
previously thought, on average around 10 years of age for white girls and
9 years of age for black girls. However, a number of pediatric endocrinologists
have called the validity of these studies into question and these studies
have not demonstrated a dramatic decrease in the age of menarche. Although
not demonstrated on the charts, it is known that earlier pubertal development
is associated with more rapid increase in stature and weight than average,
while later pubertal development is associated with a less rapid increase
in stature and weight. |