The Correlation between Chronological Age and Cervical Vertebral Maturation Stages in Adolescent Female Orthodontic Patients of South Punjab

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the chronological age at menarche and peak of skeletal maturity using cervical vertebral maturation stages (CS) on lateral cephalometric radiograph in the female orthodontic patients of south Punjab.Materials and Methods: Lateral cephalograms of 100 female patients (9-15 years) were collected from the outpatient department (OPD) of Orthodontics department, CIMS Dental College, Multan. CS stages were determined on lateral cephalometric radiograph using the latest Bacetti’s CS method. The patients self-reported their menarcheal ages and were confirmed by the patients’ mothers. The association between CS and chronological age at menarche was evaluated.Results: In this study, menarche was observed to occur between the ages of 12 and 13 years, corresponding to CS3 and CS4. The correlation coefficient between chronological age and CS was found to be 0.588, indicating a moderate to strong positive correlationConclusion: Cervical Vertebral Maturation is correlated moderately with the chronological age. For a better assessment of peak pubertal growth in females, history of menarche should be considered.