[Physical maturation: a review with special reference to Brazilian children].

This article presents an overview of the maturation process in children and discusses data from some Brazilian samples. Data related to secondary sexual characteristics in both sexes are compared to other populations. The national median menarcheal age in Brazilian girls obtained by INAN (1990) was 13.2 years. The menarcheal age of Brazilian athletes is higher than the non-athletic population. The developmental age of breast, genitals, and pubic hair in Brazilian children differ little in relation to European or other Latin American populations. Several studies developed in Brazil show that menarche is a landmark for the process of fat accumulation in females. However, in boys during the sexual maturation process, significant changes in the skinfold thickness amount and distribution are not observed. It is evident that there is a lack of studies focusing on growth, development, and maturation of adolescents in several regions of Brazil, particularly male adolescents.