The Developing Adolescent

Question 1

The adolescent period is considered by most to be what age range?

Answer 1

11-19 years

Question 2

What is the main cause of death in adolescents?

Answer 2

Unintentional injury (i.e. MVA, gunshot, drowning, poisoning)

Question 3

Rank the top 6 causes of death in adolescents and give relative percentages for each.

Answer 3

Unintentional injury (30%), suicide (19%), homicide (15%), malignant neoplasm (6%), heart disease (3%), congenital anomalies (2%)

Question 4

What is the major cause of hospitalizations in adolescents?

Answer 4

Pregnancy and related conditions (3%)

Question 5

Excluding pregnancy, list (in order) the top 8 reasons for hospitalization in adolescents aged 13-17 years.

Answer 5

1. 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

Question 6

What is the mean age for puberty in Caucasian girls?

Answer 6

10 years

Question 7

What is the mean age for puberty in African American girls?

Answer 7

8-9 years

Question 8

What is the first sign of puberty in females?

Answer 8

Breast budding (thelarche)

Question 9

How long does puberty last for girls on average?

Answer 9

4 years

Question 10

What is the first sign of puberty in males?

Answer 10

Testicular enlargement

Question 11

At what age does sexual development generally begin in males?

Answer 11

11.6 years

Question 12

When does the increase in growth velocity begin in girls?

Answer 12

9 years of age

Question 13

When does the increase in growth velocity begin in boys?

Answer 13

11 years of age

Question 14

What is the average age and Tanner stage at which peak height velocity occurs in boys?

Answer 14

13.5 years, Tanner stage 3-4

Question 15

What is the average age and Tanner stage at which peak height velocity occurs in girls?

Answer 15

11.5 years, Tanner stage 2-3

Question 16

How long does puberty last for boys on average?

Answer 16

3 years

Question 17

How does the timing of the onset of puberty differ between Caucasian and African American males?

Answer 17

Onset of puberty is generally 6 months earlier for AA boys compared to C boys.

Question 18

How is precocious puberty defined?

Answer 18

Onset of secondary sexual development prior to age 8 in girls or 9 in boys.

Question 19

What percentage of adult height does the skeletal growth during puberty account for?

Answer 19

20-25%

Question 20

What percentage of ideal adult body weight does the pubertal weight gain account for?

Answer 20

40-50%

Question 21

What is the mean age and normal range of ages for the start of menarche in females?

Answer 21

Mean = 12.5 (range 9-16)

Question 22

How long after the start of puberty does menarche generally begin in females?

Answer 22

2 years

Question 23

What causes males to be, on average, 12-13 cm taller than females at adult heights?

Answer 23

Males have a 2 year delay in epiphyseal closure compared to females, which accounts for the difference in final height.

Question 24

How does lean body mass change in males vs females as a result of puberty?

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

Define the age range and describe the defining characteristics of early adolescence.

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

Define the age range and describe the defining characteristics of middle adolescence.

Answer 26

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.

Question 27

Define the age range and describe the defining characteristics of late adolescence.

Answer 27

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.