[Puberty in Icelandic boys.]

In a crosssectional study, 2751 healthy Icelandic boys aged 6-16 years, were examined for physical signs of puberty. The study was performed in 1983-1987 and was a part of a larger crosssectional growth study of 5526 Icelandic children all of whom were examined by the authors. Testicular volume of 4 ml (T 4) was considered the first sign of puberty in boys. The mean age of Icelandic boys reaching T 4 was 11.89 years (SD 1.08). The mean time interval between T 4 and T 12 was 2.21 years. The first signs of pubic hair growth, Tanner stage 2 (PH 2), were found at 12.74 years (SD 1.37). The mean time interval between PH 2 and PH 5 was 2.43 years. Even though comparison with studies from other countries is difficult because of different methods and different study design, we find that the timing and tempo of puberty in Icelandic boys is similar to what has been reported from other Nordic countries and countries in Western-Europe. Key words: puberty, growth, Icelandic boys. Correspondence: Arni V. Thorsson. E-mail: arniv@shr.is.