Timing of Pubertal Growth Spurt in Girls and Boys
Girls achieve peak height velocity at approximately 11.5 years of age, while boys reach their peak height velocity at approximately 13.5 years of age. 1
Peak Height Velocity Timing
The most precise data from recent guideline-level evidence demonstrates:
- Girls: Peak height velocity (PHV) occurs at 8.3 cm/year at a mean chronologic age of 11.5 years 1
- Boys: Peak height velocity occurs at 9.5 cm/year at a mean of about 13.5 years 1
This represents the point of maximum growth rate during the pubertal growth spurt, not necessarily when the growth spurt begins.
Growth Spurt Onset vs. Peak Velocity
Critical distinction: The growth spurt begins before peak height velocity is achieved:
- Linear growth velocity begins to increase in males at genital stage III and pubic-hair stage II 2
- Peak height velocity is not attained until age 14 years in boys and 12 years in girls 2
- The pubertal growth spurt (PGS) begins between ages 10-15 years in boys and 8-13 years in girls 3
Total Pubertal Growth
During the entire pubertal period from take-off to cessation:
Clinical Context: Lag Between Height and Lung Growth
Important caveat: In children and adolescents, lung growth appears to lag behind the increase in standing height during the growth spurt 1. Height growth in young males between 12.5 and 18 years peaks approximately 1 year before the growth rate of weight and forced vital capacity 1. This physiological lag must be considered when evaluating respiratory function during rapid growth phases.
Maturation Timing Variability
Earlier maturers gain more height during puberty but reach similar adult heights as later maturers 3, 4. For each sex, the earlier the start of pubertal growth spurt onset, the higher the peak height velocity and total pubertal growth gain, but adult heights remain similar among different maturity groups 3, 4.