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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

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Determination of Reproductive Competence by Confirming Pubertal Onset and Performing a Fertility Assay in Mice and Rats
Published on: October 13, 2018
[Puberty in Icelandic girls.]
A V Thornórsson1, A Dagbjartsson, G I Pálsson
1Childrens hospital, Landspitali University Hospital, Fossvogi, 108 Reykjavík, Iceland. arniv@landspitali.is.
Laeknabladid
|October 5, 2006
Summary
This study found that Icelandic girls reach breast development stage 2 (B2) at a mean age of 10.84 years, with menarche occurring 2.42 years later. Pubic hair development also aligns with Western European averages.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Human Growth and Development
- Reproductive Health
Context:
- Cross-sectional study of 2775 healthy Icelandic girls aged 6-16 years (1983-1987).
- Part of a larger growth and development study of 5526 Icelandic children.
- Utilized Tanner staging for physical signs of puberty.
Purpose:
- To determine the mean age of pubertal onset in Icelandic girls.
- To establish the timing of key pubertal milestones, including breast development and menarche.
- To compare pubertal timing in Icelandic girls with international data.
Summary:
- Mean age for Breast development stage 2 (B2) was 10.84 years (SD 1.43).
- Mean interval between B2 and menarche was 2.42 years.
- Mean age for Pubic hair stage 2 (PH2) was 11.46 years (SD 1.25), with PH2 to PH5 interval of 3.40 years.
Impact:
- Provides normative data for pubertal development in Icelandic girls.
- Suggests similar pubertal timing and tempo compared to Nordic and Western European countries.
- Contributes to understanding geographical variations in human puberty.
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