Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine - Department of Orthodontics

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the pubertal growth spurt in a group of Giza school male adolescents, using the developmental stages of the middle phalanx of the middle finger (MP3) as a skeletal maturation index. This study was conducted as a part of research project between ministry of health and Faculty of oral and dental medicine, Cairo university represented by orthodontic department. It included seven separate studies in different Egyptian governorates. This present study was conducted in Giza governorate. A total sample of 1500 adolescent males was included in the research. Their circumpubertal ages ranged from 11 to 16 years with mean age 13.36 years. Middle phalanx of the middle finger (MP3) was digitally radiographed for each subject. Each film was interpreted to define its MP3 developmental stage and the data were collected and statistically analyzed. Based on the findings of this study, the following conclusions can be drawn: a. The mean skeletal maturity age (MP3-G stage) that represents the peak of height velocity (PHV) in Egyptian adolescent males of Giza was found to be 13.36 y ± 1.07 years which was approximately 7.27 months after pre-peak stage

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