The Developing Adolescent Flashcards
The adolescent period is considered by most to be what age range?
11-19 years
What is the main cause of death in adolescents?
Unintentional injury (i.e. MVA, gunshot, drowning, poisoning)
Rank the top 6 causes of death in adolescents and give relative percentages for each.
Unintentional injury (30%), suicide (19%), homicide (15%), malignant neoplasm (6%), heart disease (3%), congenital anomalies (2%)
What is the major cause of hospitalizations in adolescents?
Pregnancy and related conditions (3%)
Excluding pregnancy, list (in order) the top 8 reasons for hospitalization in adolescents aged 13-17 years.
- Affective or mood disorders, 2. Appendicitis, 3. Other mental health disorders, 4. Asthma, 5. Fx of lower limb, 6. Poisoning/overdose, 7. Chemo, 8. Intracranial injury
What is the mean age for puberty in Caucasian girls?
10 years
What is the mean age for puberty in African American girls?
8-9 years
What is the first sign of puberty in females?
Breast budding (thelarche)
How long does puberty last for girls on average?
4 years
What is the first sign of puberty in males?
Testicular enlargement
At what age does sexual development generally begin in males?
11.6 years
When does the increase in growth velocity begin in girls?
9 years of age
When does the increase in growth velocity begin in boys?
11 years of age
What is the average age and Tanner stage at which peak height velocity occurs in boys?
13.5 years, Tanner stage 3-4
What is the average age and Tanner stage at which peak height velocity occurs in girls?
11.5 years, Tanner stage 2-3
How long does puberty last for boys on average?
3 years
How does the timing of the onset of puberty differ between Caucasian and African American males?
Onset of puberty is generally 6 months earlier for AA boys compared to C boys.
How is precocious puberty defined?
Onset of secondary sexual development prior to age 8 in girls or 9 in boys.
What percentage of adult height does the skeletal growth during puberty account for?
20-25%
What percentage of ideal adult body weight does the pubertal weight gain account for?
40-50%
What is the mean age and normal range of ages for the start of menarche in females?
Mean = 12.5 (range 9-16)
How long after the start of puberty does menarche generally begin in females?
2 years
What causes males to be, on average, 12-13 cm taller than females at adult heights?
Males have a 2 year delay in epiphyseal closure compared to females, which accounts for the difference in final height.
How does lean body mass change in males vs females as a result of puberty?
In females, lean body mass decreases because adipose tissue mass increases at a greater rate. In males, lean body mass increases due to increased muscle mass from circulating androgens.
Define the age range and describe the defining characteristics of early adolescence.
10-13 years of age. This stage is characterized by preoccupation with self. Increased emphasis on relationships with peers (especially same-sex peers), testing of authority, need for privacy, and less interest in parental relationships. Poor impulse control. Cognition is concrete.
Define the age range and describe the defining characteristics of middle adolescence.
14-16 years of age. Adolescents are nearing completion of puberty. They explore relationships with both sexes and are very concerned with appearance. Peers are the most important group for support and effecting change. There is increasing conflict with parents. Very susceptible to peer pressure. Strong feeling of omnipotence and immortality leads to risk-taking and impulsive behavior.
Define the age range and describe the defining characteristics of late adolescence.
17-21 years of age. Individual relationships are more important than the peer group and adolescents cautiously begin to seek out parental advice. Abstract thought appears. Still impulsive, but development of prefrontal cortex allows them to understand consequences, plan ahead, delay gratification, and make independent decisions.
