Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

In comparing the height growth spurt between males and females, which statement is correct?

1. Girls tend to experience the growth spurt at a later age than boys

2. Girls have low potential for growth after the beginning of menses

3. The height growth spurt in males occurs 2 years earlier than girls

4. Girls have a longer period in which to grow

The correct answer is: Girls have low potential for growth after the beginning of menses

The statement regarding girls having low potential for growth after the beginning of menses is correct because the onset of menstruation typically signifies the closing of the epiphyseal growth plates in the long bones. This physiological change greatly limits further height growth. In contrast, males generally experience their growth spurt later and maintain growth potential for a longer period due to later epiphyseal fusion. During puberty, females generally experience their peak height velocity about 6 to 12 months before they begin menstruating, and once menstruation starts, their growth rate decreases significantly as they approach their adult height. Thus, the statement about girls’ reduced growth potential after menses accurately reflects this biological reality. Understanding this growth pattern is essential for pediatric nursing practice, as it informs expectations for growth and development in different populations of adolescents.